I once heard a story from a witty Frenchman, which “hits off” our _men_ to a miracle! Their stubborn tenacity, which has never _conceded_ an inch to women that was not dragged out of them by main force! A celebrated French Minister once came to London in hopes of securing a certain concession. When he had spent an hour explaining his case, our great personages briefly replied: “You might as well have asked us for a part of Hyde Park!” He tried again, for another hour, with precisely the same result. His reasons, any mutual advantages that might, or might not, accrue, were absolutely ignored. They only answered, “You might as well have asked us for Hyde Park!” At Lausanne, unfortunately, there is every reason to fear that the English and the Turks are _both_ adopting the method of not listening. It works, of course (so far as getting your own way), if _one_ party is firmly in possession; but when the claim to control is in dispute, and neither can be induced to yield, one _must_ feel that a little conciliation might be prudent. * * * * * Thinking it most unlikely that I shall have another opportunity of talking so freely to any British officials, I have spoken with great frankness of what has been in my heart for years, but what I now see can never be changed. Lord Curzon spoke courteously of my self-imposed mission “to serve my country abroad,” but England will never entrust such tasks to women, or even lend them any _official_ sanction. This, then, is my swan song of the work which I have proved that a woman _can_ do. Before leaving the stage, I may say what I think. “If you suppose that we are going to let any Tom, Dick or Harry run our Embassies, as they do in America, you are very much mistaken.” I was once “officially” informed: “We may be accused of being socially exclusive, but everyone knows to which Embassy they should appeal when anything _has to be done_.” “That does not touch my complaint,” I answered. “I shall continue to resent the fact that _we_ are not allowed the same footing as women in other countries. We have at last secured the vote, and, theoretically, the right of entry to all professions; but, proud as we are of Lady Astor and Mrs. Wintringham, their presence in Parliament has, rather unfortunately, produced an impression of far more ‘freedom’ and ‘equality’ than we have actually achieved. Some are indeed safely on the heights, but most women have not yet even planted their feet on the lowest rung of the ladder. “Everyone knows that the Englishman is chivalrous to women, and is their surest anchor in distress. He will willingly die for them, but he maintains his rooted objection to being asked to help them to live. “The French Government sent a _woman_ to Angora with the fullest official backing in finance and prestige. Their Ambassador provided a plan for her journey, and has made public acknowledgment of her service to France.”