GAY ANGORA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 August 1926, Page 11

GAY ANGORA

EMANCIPATED TURKISH WOMEN

SALON OF PACKING CASES.

Q.AY Angora sets a pace that would not escape criticism or censure in any other part of the world (writes Lady Drummond Hay). Official and certain diplomatic circles participate in a treadmill round of night parties lasting until six or seven in the morning, and, I have been told by persons -who were present, until even nine o’clock —a record surely for even the most sophisticated revellers! It is hard to explain exactly how this state of hilariousness can be maintained in the undeniably discouraging circumstances which provoke the counteraction; perhaps the New Turk, in his flattering desire to imitate European standards of life, has taken his periodical fling in Paris as an example of how the Westerner lives and loves; and it is just possible that a night-life setting provides the tenebrous background best suited on the patriotic activities of foreign diplomats. In any case, Angora wines and dines in the most approved modern style, even to boiled shirts and swallow tails, strangely startling in its incongruity as compared to the natural setting. The new capital’s first “season” has just drawn to a close. Approaching summer heat and blinding dust are driving the jaded feminine element back to the “provinces,” as Constantinople and the Bosphorus are designated by all true Turks, fearful lest Old Stamboul should be confounded as capital with Angora, the hope of nationalist aspirations. Plans ror a still more “brilliant season” next winter are already made. The Russians discuss the building of a finer and larger embassy, where there will be •' room for as many Turkish and international guests as wish to enter their wide, ever-welcoming portals. Turkish official society, I understand, frequents the Russians in preference to anyone else. The most piquant feature of the parties in Angora is the number of newly-emancipated Turkish women who have been having “a gay time” for

the first time in their lives —wearing, as they were never allowed to wear before, full decollete in public, dancing with men, many of whom probably never wore evening dress before. The Ghazi, or Conqueror, as Mustapha the President, is called, sees to it that New Turkey shall not be behind the rest of the world when it comes to the social amenities, and he has decreed that the Government officials must be accompanied by their wives and daughters in European dress. Besides private dancing parties nearly every flight; teas, receptions, and all the traditions of “real diplomatic life,” many public- balls were organised in support of Turkish charities. The Glia/.i, as chief patrou, attended them willingly, showering with favours and attentions the pretty wives of his subordinates, much to the delight, of course, of loyal and ambitious husbands. Among the Turkish women are many real beauties, dressed in the latest,Paris styles, contrasting curiously with the unavoidable primitiveness of their new quarters. At one party I went to at the house of a Turkish diplomat, the reception room was furnished solely with cleverly manipulated packingcases, artistically covered and draped with Oriental carpets and embroideries, until it looked more like a setting for a story from the Thousand and One Nights than a pioneer honm in wild Angora. Yet some 2000 miles from the shrine of fashion, mine was ever the only head not shingled or bobbed! Unfortunately Angora’s pleasures are not always harmless. Angora is a city of excesses, both in work and play. I suppose in no other capital do the Ministers regularly work so late into the flight as here. Foreign Affairs told me that he rarely had his dinner before 11 or 12 at night, and it is a well-known fact that the Ghazi can work all night and all day, too. No one seems to think of retiring before four or five in the morning, sometimes the worse for having tried to emulate or outdo the President of the Republic.