THE SUPPRESSION OF THE WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.
By William Alexander Coote, Secretary National
Vigilance Association for the Suppression of the
White Slave Traffic, London, England.
Let me first of all greet you as co-workers in a cause which is very
dear to the heart of God, and which is really Christianity in practice.
How literally true it is that in this special form of social and
humanitarian work we are seeking to save that which is lost! If this
work is to be successfully done, if we are to find that which has been
lost, then we must have a whole-hearted devotion to the search, and a
close and intimate co-operation amongst the searchers.
We may belong to different political and social camps, we may even be as
far apart as the poles in our religious sympathies and convictions, but
within sound of the Divine call to this labour, in the presence of so
gigantic an evil, we must unite, we dare not act as isolated units
however enthusiastic or clever we may be, we must close up our ranks,
and not only join hands but also hearts, and in the strength of God,
with a strong inspiration from the Holy One, go forth to meet this
Apollyon of evil, and in the name of humanity, and better still, in the
name of God, give battle until the foe is vanquished, yea, eternally
routed, the honour of womanhood vindicated, and the chains of lust
loosened from the minds and hearts of humanity.
Whatever the results, be it ours to remember that in this conflict we
are waging a holy crusade against the vice of men who would, in their
own selfish vicious interest, besmirch the purity of the womanhood of
the world. Let us also remember that in this war, if needs be, we must
not shrink from the use of those carnal weapons, by means of which men
are brought to judgment in this world, and made to pay some penalty for
the deeds which have wrought so much evil in the lives of young women;
but never let us forget that such weapons, however necessary, are not
the weapons. If the victory is to be effective and final, then the
weapons of this warfare, must be obtained from the armoury of God, with
the use of which weapons there is also promise that if the battle is
waged in His Name and for His sake, victory, triumphant, eternal,
glorious victory is assured.
What is this White Slave Traffic with the condemnation of which the
world is today ringing? Is it some new form of vice, with the
introduction of which the world is staggered; or is it the old in modern
dress? No, it is neither. It is simply the old vice, in the old form,
doing the same old terrible work of enslavement of pure young womanhood,
for the gratification of the debased and degraded passions of men. Lust
knows no mercy, yea, it finds some degree of satisfaction in the cruelty
inflicted on the victims of its unholy greed.
This traffic in the virtue of woman is now well known. Its methods are
the same, but its results, with a growing civilization are more painful
and destructive to its victims. It has no geographical boundaries, but
in every clime, this hideous monster of vice seeks its victims, with a
relentless and inhuman ferocity. As one surveys the results of this evil
in every land, one is led to cry "How long, O Lord, how long, before
men's inhumanity to women shall cease, and the kingdoms of this world
become the Kingdom of our Father?"
Permit me, as a matter of historical interest, to call your attention to
the simple origin of this new crusade for the suppression of the White
Slave Traffic, which had its birth, under circumstances of great
interest to all workers, in the year 1898. As the Secretary of the
National Vigilance Association it had for years been my duty to search
for missing young women, sometimes at home and sometimes abroad. In my
journeys abroad, prior to 1898, I had in some instances found the
missing girl, under circumstances of a most painful character. It was
the old story--the promise of a good situation, or the promise of a
suitable marriage, were the means invariably used to entrap and ensnare
them. Once in the hands of the traffickers, they were hurried away, from
country to country, until the highest bidders obtained the virtue,
honour, and the life of the victims of these inhuman traffickers. In my
various journeyings these ghastly facts were over and over again brought
to my knowledge. Their truth I was unfortunately frequently able to
verify, so that from personal observation and knowledge I knew this
state of things to exist, yea, to be ever on the increase. I knew that
just as the honest merchant deals with his merchandise in the course of
trade, sending certain goods to certain markets of the world, so this
hideous trade was under the control of a syndicate of men and women, who
bought and sold the virtue of women, in the same manner as the merchant
sells his wares--to the highest bidder.
Here was indeed a revelation, so far as I personally was concerned. For
a long time I had known of the existence of this traffic, but I had no
idea of its widespread character. I had not dreamt of the scientific and
businesslike manner in which it was conducted. Here, indeed, was the
explanation of the disappearance of hundreds, yea, thousands, of girls
so often reported as missing from their homes, and for whose return
mothers waited year after year in vain.
The revelation enveloped me as a dark cloud. In vain I tried to disperse
it. Surely there was some way of combating this gigantic evil. Here
indeed was the Philistine Giant of Evil. The people were indifferent.
The laws were impotent. There was no public opinion on the subject.
True, some of my journeys to different countries had resulted in the
homecoming of some who had been falsely beguiled into the way of evil,
but this was as nothing compared to that which appeared to be
impregnable to the forces of righteousness.
The darkness of the picture obsessed me. It clung with an octopus-like
grip to my soul. I truly found trouble and sorrow, intensified by the
consciousness of perfect helplessness to grapple with such a vast area
of evil. It was world-wide, and whatever the remedy, it would have to be
universal in its application. This experience seemed to bring me to the
very porch of hell.
Could nothing be done to cope with this state of things? Could earth
with all its multifarious efforts of Prevention and Rescue find no
solution of this fearful problem? Would no one be found able to fence
the top of this Tarpeian Rock, over the precipice of which, the virtue
of womanhood was being constantly flung? Was this feature of lust never
to be quenched, or must it for ever be fed with the priceless gem in the
crown of true womanhood? Was there no means of stopping the unholy
demand, as that alone would cause the supply to cease?
These were some of the questions which came again and again to my mind
as I pondered this mighty question.
As I thus mused, a sweet and holy vision came to me. I was not asleep,
neither was I fully awake so far as this world was concerned. The heart
and soul were in the throes of a new birth. I know not whether it was a
vision, a dream, or a Divine message. I heard no voice, I saw no form,
but clear, emphatic, and distinct came the solution of the problem. It
was as follows:
"If I could go to every capital of Europe, if I could interest the
leading people and government of each country, if I could induce the
courts of Europe to take up this matter; if I could then induce the
governments to meet in conference and decide to deal with it from an
international point of view, surely the evil would not only be checked,
but to a large extent would be eradicated." How, without any
qualifications, I tramped through Europe, went to Egypt, America, and
South Africa, is a story which is told in detail elsewhere, but suffice
it to say that every little point of the dream or vision was carried
out, with the result that today there are established in every capital
of Europe, in North and South America, in Egypt, and in South Africa,
large and influential National Committees co-operating with their
respective governments with the object of completely removing this
hideous crime from the face of the earth.
[Illustration: "DANGER."
Meeting young girls at Railway Depots is one of the methods of the white
slave trader. They promise to take the strangers to their friends; in
fact, anything to get them to accompany them. Once in a closed carriage,
they are lost. (See page 68.)]
[Illustration: DANGEROUS AMUSEMENTS--THE BRILLIANT ENTRANCE TO HELL
ITSELF.
Young girls who have danced at home a little are attracted by the
blazing lights, gaiety and apparent happiness of the "dance halls,"
which in many instances leads to their downfall. (See page 112.)]
In our propaganda in Europe it was not only necessary to point out
the nature of the disease we were attacking, but also the remedy we
proposed.
Having carefully studied the methods of the members of these syndicates
of evil, we knew exactly the kind of organization needed to counteract
their wicked designs.
Part of the programme submitted to the people of Europe, was the
necessity of inducing their respective Governments to hold an official
conference, to mutually decide upon certain measures, for the better
protection of young women traveling or accepting situations in any part
of the world.
This official conference was organized, chiefly through the National
Vigilance Association, and the European Powers and others were
officially invited by the Government of France to take part. In July,
1902, in response to an invitation from the French Government, 16
countries were represented by 36 delegates, who met at the Foreign
Office in Paris, to consider what measures would be adopted to
effectually break up these syndicates of evil. After five days'
deliberation the outcome of their labors was the drafting of an
International Agreement, which, in our opinion, if adopted by all
civilized countries, would so fully protect young women, that the moral
risks attendant upon their travelling in any part of the world, either
for business or recreative purposes, would be greatly reduced, if not
altogether done away with. The soil being already prepared, the
decisions arrived at by the Official Conference found ready acceptance
by the National Committees of Europe. The subsequent working of this
Agreement has fully demonstrated its value and effectiveness in the
Suppression of the White Slave Traffic.
I purpose referring to three of the clauses in the Agreement, which I
feel is a woman's charter of moral liberty, and as it has been accepted
by all the countries of Europe, and by North and South America, the
moral interests of young women ought to be fully protected from the
Machiavellian efforts of the White Slave Traders.
Article 2 of the International Agreement is as follows:
"Each of the Governments undertakes to have a watch
kept, especially at railway stations, ports of
embarkation, and en route, for persons in charge of
women and girls destined for an immoral life. With
this object, instructions shall be given to the
Officials and all other qualified persons to obtain,
within legal limits, all information likely to lead
to the detection of criminal traffic.
"The arrival of persons who clearly appear to be the
principals, accomplices in, or victims of, such
traffic shall be notified, when it occurs, either to
the authorities of the place of destination, or to
the Diplomatic or Consular Agents interested, or to
any other competent authorities."
We had by our investigations discovered that the chief places of danger
were the ports of embarkation or debarkation and the railway stations of
the various countries. Here it was that the strange young woman would be
spoken to in her own language by apparently a sympathetic lady, who
would offer her every assistance, even to providing her with a lodging,
which the new arrival in a strange country would be only too ready to
accept. We knew this, we had become familiar with the fact that the
railway stations at home and abroad were the hunting grounds of men and
women engaged in the White Slave Traffic. It was on these facts, and
this evidence, that Article 2 was agreed upon by the delegates at the
Official Conference.
We are all familiar with the fact that all laws, however good, are
comparatively useless unless they are breathed into by the national life
of the country where they exist. Their use is in proportion to the
energising power of the people interested in their administration. This
Article 2 was formulated in response to the desire of the people, and
when it was granted, was welcomed by them with warmth and enthusiasm
which augured well for its future successful administration. We are glad
to be able to assert that the high hopes to which it gave birth amongst
the people of Europe, have been more than realised.
Immediately on the ratification of the Agreement the National Vigilance
Association, by deputation, pointed out to the British Government that
the duties involved in carrying out this Article, were hardly such as
could be entrusted to policemen, not even to men, who if they were
placed at the ports or railway stations of the United Kingdom would not
be likely to win the confidence of foreign young women coming to
England. This apart altogether from the fact that the persons stationed
at the ports and railway stations would require to know several
languages, as well as to be possessed of much common sense and
discretion. To undertake this work this Association offered to engage a
large number of lady workers, possessing a knowledge of European
languages, if the Government would authorise them to do so. This was
agreed to, and the National Vigilance Association commenced a work which
they carried on for the last five years, during which time their workers
have met at the railway stations in London, and at several of the most
important English ports, 16,000 young women, 80 per cent of whom have
been of foreign nationality, and quite 40 per cent of whom would have
been in moral peril had it not been for the assistance rendered by the
workers on their arrival in England.
Thus Article 2 has done much more than establish a clear and definite
method of protection for young travellers. It has roused the heart of
Europe, and drawn the attention of the people to the need of being in
attendance at the railway stations to assist young women, and to
protect them from the men and women who frequent those places for the
purpose of decoying them from the path of virtue.
The Society "Les Amies de la Jeune Fille," in its early days, realised
the danger to young girls travelling, and thus early commenced to
safeguard them against it. Much was done, but nothing commensurate with
the great need that existed.
When the Governments agreed to Article 2 of the Protocol, every National
Committee in Europe felt such a sense of their responsibility, that many
of them, as we in England, placed workers at the railway stations of
their respective countries.
But, perhaps, the most remarkable development in connection with Article
2, was the spontaneous and marvellous manner in which the Roman Catholic
Church aroused itself, and provided a number of ladies as station
workers throughout Europe, to look after and care for the moral welfare
of Catholic girls.
The Baroness de Montenach, residing at Freibourg, Switzerland, who had
attended the first Congress for the Suppression of the White Slave
Traffic held in London, in 1899, saw the opportunity which Article 2
offered, and at once appealed to the women of the Catholic Church, who
responded with so much enthusiasm, that today they have one of the
finest and most carefully planned International Catholic Associations
for Railway Station Work. We know it from personal observation and can
speak in the most unqualified manner of the devotion of the Catholic
ladies throughout Europe who give their time and money for the
protection primarily of Catholic girls, though they are always ready to
assist girls of other creeds.
Thus by means of Article 2 of the International Agreement we now have
Europe covered with a network of agencies, which protect young girls
from moral trouble in a most efficient and striking manner.
The organisation we have in Europe is threefold, and so complete, that
so far as Europe is concerned, it is well-nigh impossible for a young
girl to fall into moral trouble, if she will but avail herself of the
help which is ready at all times and in all places. We have three active
and efficient organisations at work--Les Amies de la Jeune Fille,
primarily, but not exclusively for the care of Protestant girls; the
International Catholic Association for befriending young girls,
primarily, but not exclusively for the protection of Catholic girls; and
the ladies connected with the National Committees for the Suppression of
the White Slave Traffic, who work at the railway stations on behalf of
girls of all creeds and all nationalities.
The more we understand the practical side of the railway station work,
the more strongly are we convinced that in it we have the work which,
properly organised, enthusiastically and efficiently carried on, will
relieve society of the need of much of the philanthropic effort which
comes into operation when moral trouble has overtaken the unfortunate
young girl.
I have left myself very little room to do more than simply quote two of
the other articles of that remarkable International Agreement to which I
have referred. Article 3 says:
"The Governments undertake, when the case arises, and
within legal limits to have the declarations taken of
women or girls of foreign nationality who are
prostitutes, in order to establish their identity and
civil status, and to discover who has caused them to
leave their country. The information obtained shall
be communicated to the authorities of the country of
origin of the said women or girls, with a view to
their eventual repatriation.
"The Governments undertake, within legal limits, and
as far as can be done, to entrust temporarily, and
with a view to their eventual repatriation, the
victims of a criminal traffic when destitute to
public or private charitable institutions, or to
private individuals offering the necessary security."
This clause when properly worked by the various philanthropic agencies
in connection with the authorities will be the means not only of
rescuing many who have been flung into the way of shadows, but of
bringing to justice the men and women responsible for their moral ruin.
I have only to point to a recent Act in America, passed by Congress more
than 12 months since, based upon this very Article to show how great
will be its preventive character, if put into operation by any country.
The American Act to which I refer, states that any young girl of foreign
origin, who is found to be leading a life of prostitution within three
years of her landing in America, shall be arrested, and if she has been
induced to lead the life by another person, he or she, on proof, shall
be liable to arrest, and on conviction, to very severe penalties, in the
shape of imprisonment and fine, and if of foreign origin to deportation.
We watched the beneficent operation of this Act in the United States,
and rejoiced to see how conspicuously successful it was in dealing with
the traffic. We had even, through the International Bureau, called the
attention of the National Committees in Europe to the effective way in
which the Act was dealing with the traffickers in America, and urged
them to get a similar one passed in their own country, when, to our
intense disappointment the Judges of the Supreme Court in America,
discovered a flaw in one of its chief clauses, and, I am told that in
consequence, hundreds of men and women, who had been convicted as
traffickers, were immediately let loose upon society, to again engage in
this lawless traffic.
What a call to this Congress to be up and doing! You must not rest, you
dare not hesitate, until you have renewed that law, and if needs be,
strengthened it so as to deal effectively with these inhuman monsters.
This is the one thing for you to be doing until it is done. Rouse the
public to a sense of the gravity of the situation. Give your legislators
no rest, until they have amended the law in the direction indicated.
In London the operation of this clause has been demonstrated by the
improved condition of our streets. The open parade of flaunting vice has
been much modified, and the foreign element of evil has found it far
more difficult to carry on its ramifications than formerly.
There will be no difference of opinion amongst us as to the usefulness
of Article 6 in the Protection of Young Girls, which is as follows:
"The Contracting Governments undertake, within legal
limits, to exercise supervision, as far as possible,
over the offices or agencies engaged in finding
employment for women or girls abroad."
It is common knowledge that the Servant's Registry Office, has, like the
railway station, been too ready a means in the hands of the unscrupulous
traders in vice. An application for a servant, governess, or a companion
to a lady, offering good wages and a comfortable home, in a foreign
country, has always met with a ready response, and by such methods
these traders have been able to command the flower of girlhood. How
many scores of young women have by these means been inveigled into a
foreign land, to find themselves hopelessly enslaved into a life which
is worse than a living death. The nature of this evil was well-known to
those who took part in the Official Conference, and they set themselves
to work to prevent these registry offices being the means, even
innocently, of acting as agents for the traffickers in vice. That their
efforts were effective is proved in those countries where Article 6 has
been put into operation.
We can bear testimony to its efficient working in many places in
England. Where it is in operation, the registry office proprietors are
compelled to ascertain the bona fide character of the situations abroad
offered to young women, and in this way it has foiled and de-accustomed
to use these agencies to decoy young girls to their moral ruin.
I have only been able to refer to a few of the many plans for the better
moral protection of young women, provided by the work for the
Suppression of the White Slave Traffic, but sufficient has been adduced
to show how many new weapons have been forged in this direction by the
International Agreement, for the use of individuals as well as of
nations. It is a woman's charter, which for the first time in the
history of the world, regards the moral well-being of a young woman as a
national asset of great value to the country in which she lives. But
the Agreement can only be of real value in those countries where the
people have sufficient interest in the welfare of their young women to
organise themselves to assist their Governments in its working.
Let me close this paper with a strong appeal, a loud call, to the men
and women of America with like passions and sympathies with their
English brethren across the Atlantic. We have much in common. Our hearts
as well as our language are the same. We are influential and actuated by
the same religious impulses. Let us then as one people, join hands
across the sea in this holy enterprise, and sweep from the world this
awful blight upon young womanhood. Remember it is not a crime peculiar
or common to men of one nationality. All nations, more or less, have
taken part. Be it ours, at this Congress, to inaugurate a world-wide
crusade, in the name of God and of our common humanity, against this
crime. Remember, the forces of righteousness and purity are stronger
than the forces of impurity. We may receive checks when engaged in the
conflict, but about the ultimate victory there is no shadow of doubt.
Let us in strong faith look up unto the hills from whence cometh our
help, and the battle, however prolonged, is won. Let the old and the new
world link themselves together, under one banner and one leadership,
spread the Light of Truth on this question, and scatter the men who
delight in evil, and the darkness by which their deeds are surrounded.
I appeal especially to the women of America to rise in the dignity of
womanhood, and demand the Suppression of the White Slave Traffic in
America, yea in the whole world, and thus give to young women those
rights and that protection which should be their common heritage. Let me
close by quoting Lowell's words, which on many occasions have proved a
trumpet call to some forgotten duty:
"Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's new Messiah, offering each the bloom or blight,
Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right.
And the choice goes on for ever 'twixt that darkness and that light."