The Indianapolis journal., 1894-04-24
STRANGE FRENCH LAW
DipIomates and COnsuls Cannot
Marry Without Permission.
President CarnOt Revives an Old Decree,
but His Premier Says 1t Is Not
Aimed at American Girls.

PARIS. April 2s.-There Is no truth In
the story that the decree signed by Pres
ident Garnet forbdding members OF the
French diplomatic and consular service,
under pain of dismissal, 10 marry without
the permission OF the Foreign Minister,
was provoked by the marriage of VI. Jules
PatenOtre and Count Daunay 10 Amer
ican ladies. II Is explained at the For
eign Office that the marriages Of representa-
tives OF the French government to ,or-
eigners are becoming more frequent. and
that IL may affect the position Of those al
ready having foreign wives, but it is not
aimed at Americans. Premier Casimir-
Perier also explains distinctly that the
Presidents action is not due 70 the number
OF Americans who have married French
men, but is in consequence Of the marriage
OF French representatives TO ladies Of other
nationalties which are Objectionable TO the
French government
The Presidents decree. however. has
caused a sensation in diplomatic circles
here and elsewhere. 1t revives and extends
the measure passed sixty years ago. which
affected the consular service alone. and,
IN spite OF the explanation Of Premier Cas-
imir-Perier, 1t is regarded curious that
. the decision was taken so soon after the
marriage Of Nj. Jules Patenotre, and 1t
Is also remarked that the wife OF Count
Daunay, the hero of recent diplomatic
incident at Copenhagen, is also an Amer
team. Premier Casimir-Perier also said.
emphatically. that the personal position Of
the members Of the diplomatic service was
so closely allied to their official mission
that it was imperative that the Foreign
Minister should control their marriages.
as delicate political considerations often
afterwards arise which the diplomates
themselves are not always able to esti-
mate.
The Premier then proceeds to covertly
suggest that the removal of a diplomatic
may be rendered necessary by the fact
of his residence being where the relatives
OF his wife live. The ground taken is that
IL Is not unlikely that such associations
might lead TO the relatives of the wife Of a
diplomatic abroad becoming possessed of
dangerous secrets. The newspapers recall
. several cases in which ii is cOnjectured
that important disclosures have been made
by the wives of French diplomates abroad.
and II Is added that this has been one of
the main causes Of the action just taken by
Society is curious to know what will be
the result of the announcement OF the ap-
preaching marriage of Count De MOntho-
lon. the French Minister at Athens, to
Signora Fe D'Ostiani, daughter of Count
Fe DOstiani. the Italian Minister at
Athens. III permission Is refused the French
Minister to marry the daughter OF the
Italian Minister, except at the risk OF re-
moval Ii is believed that a considerable
amount of soreness will be felt in Italy.
NJ. Sartiou has been interviewed in regard
TO his new play, Dora" which he declared
Is founded upon episode in the career
OF General De Cissey, who died on June
Is 1882 General De Cissey, when Minister
of War, revealed important secrets to the
Baroness Kaulla- NJ Sardou added that
he was possessed OF information clearly
showing numerous instances of prejudicial
Intervention upon the part OF women in
French diplomacy.