would that we could strengthen them for the coming struggle. I
would that we could put a protecting arm around these heroic
women and save them from the cruel blows they are certain to
receive. Alas! we can only help them to help themselves. Every
Western victory will give them encouragement and inspiration,
for our victories are their victories and their defeats are our
defeats. For every woman of every tribe and nation, every race
and continent, now under the heel of oppression we must demand
deliverance.

On the Sunday evening after the opening of the convention the Royal
Opera, a State institution, gave a special gala performance of
Mozart's Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, with Cupid's Tricks, by the full
ballet. This was complimentary to the visitors, as the regular season
had closed, and the magnificent spectacle and splendid music were
highly appreciated by the large audience, by none more than by a group
of peasant women, who sat in one of the galleries with shawls over
their heads, having walked fifty miles to attend the congress.
Provision was made for their return home by train.

The formal organization for business took place Monday morning in the
Redoute, a large, handsome convention hall, but hardly were the
preliminaries over and luncheon finished when a long row of gaily
decorated carriages was ready for a three hour drive around the
beautiful city and its environs. At 7:30 the municipality gave an open
air fete on Fisher Bastion, that noble piece of architecture which is
the pride of Budapest. A writer describing the procession of officers
and delegates, headed by Mrs. Catt, passing up the steps to receive
the greetings of the city's high officials, said: "The entrance up the
wide steps, between lines of attendants in picturesque uniforms, with
the soft sunset glow and the lights coming out one by one in the city
and on the river below, was like passing from real life into a land of
enchantment." After the reception all assembled in the Court of Honor,
where sparkling five-minute speeches were made by representatives from
a dozen countries.

It was soon evident that the business of the convention would have to
be confined to the morning hours, as the afternoons and evenings had
to be given over to public speech making and social functions. There
was long discussion in several sessions on establishing international
headquarters and a press bureau, enlarging the month