WORLD’S WOMEN

Evening Star, Issue 18280, 21 May 1923, Page 8

WORLD’S WOMEN

THE ROME CONVENTION. BIG DEMONSTRATION IN STREETS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ROME, May 20. (Received May 21, at 10 a.m.) The Pope received twenty-five French, British, and American delegates to the Women’s Congress. His Holiness said that he favored the calling of the congress, though ho could not approve of all the items in its programme, particularly that relating to the divorce laws. A feature of the closing day of the congress was a jrgi't procession of women, representing the nations of the world, from tho Palazzo Dell Esposiziono to the office of tho Minister of the Interior, their purpose being to hand Signor Mussolini the resolution of tho congress on women’s suffrage. The procession was headed by tho Italian flag and the Alliance’s banner, and consisted of Mrs Catt and Madame Schiavoni Bosio (the Italian women’s leader), tho official Government delegates, members of Parliament, enfranchised and unenfranchised women, with Italian women in the rear. Large crowds watched the progress of the procession through the streets.

The deputation was introduced by the Secretary of State (Signor Ascrho). They carried symbols of the old Roman times, including a bundle of sticks and a hatchet, denoting unity and power. Signor Mussolini reaffirmed ins promise to grant Italian women the municipal franchise, with eligibility for office.—A. and N.Z. Cable.