ty of the husband, which was absolute; gave women
the right to control their property, enter the professions, fill
public offices and have equal guardianship of their children. On March
25, 1919, the Senate Commission recommended the passing of the bill
without change, which was done in July by a vote of 58 to 17. On April
23, 29, 1920, an immense suffrage congress was held in Milan, opened
by Dr. Margherita Ancona and addressed by prominent men of all
parties. This was followed by others and there was a strong public
demand for the enfranchisement of women. A bill was presented July 30,
sponsored by sixteen prominent Deputies of all parties, to give women
the vote on the same terms as men but they were not to use it until
after the approaching general election, as there would not be time to
make new lists. This Martini bill was referred to a special committee
of Signor Martini, Signor Gasparotto and Signor Sandrini and it was
due to their excellent management that it went through with such speed
on September 6. It was favored by Premier Nitti, some brilliant
speeches were made and it passed by 174 ayes, 55 noes. Before the
great rejoicing was over, before the bill could be acted on by the
Senate, the Government was defeated and the Parliament was dissolved.
Italy soon, like other European countries, was threatened with
revolution. Ministers rose and fell; politics was in a chaotic state.
This situation has continued to a considerable degree and women are
still without the suffrage (1921).

FRANCE.

For many years there were detached groups in France working for
political rights for women but it was not until 1909 that any effort
at national organization was made. Then in February a National
Committee was formed of one member from each society with Mme. Jeanne
E. Schmahl, a well-known worker for the rights of women, as chairman.
The National Council of Women of France, an influential body, gave
its assistance. Mme. Schmahl went to the meeting of the International
Woman Suffrage Alliance in London the following April, which
recognized the committee as a National Association and accepted it as
an auxiliary. It immediately began organizing branches in the
Provinces, and received especial help from the universities.
Professional women, those in public service and wage-earning women
joined the association, which soon had over 3,000 members. The right
had been given to working women to vote in the election of Trade
Counc