The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-20
UNPLEASANT cHlMAY CASE
Heard Behind Closed Doors Mt the
Prosecutors Request.

CHARLEROI, Jan. 19-The action for
divorce brought against the Princess
de Chimay, formerly Miss Clara Ward
of Detroit, Mich, who eloped last sum-
mer with Hungarian Gypsy musician
named Janos Rigo, opened here today.
There was present in court when the
case was called newspaper correspond
ents from Paris, Berlin and Brussels.
The Prince de Chimay was in attend
ance. accompanied by his cousin
Prince Joseph. At the opening Of the
proceedings, the public prosecutor
asked that the case be~tried in camera
Sc much publicity, he said, had al
ready been given to<it that. the world
probably. could not be Afurther inter-
tested inathe proceedings, but, insthe in
terest of public. deceney, he asked that
the public and newspaper men be ex-
cluded. The judge acceded to the public
prosecutors request, and, therefore, the
hearing was In secret.
Counsel for the prince asked the
court to grant his client a divorce upon
the admissions Of the princess He also
asked that the princess be allowed an
hours visit per month to her children,
she paying them an allowance of 75-
600 francs yearly. If necessary, coun-
sci added, the petitioner would produce
witnesses to prove twenty-five acts JUS
t1ty1ng the suit, and, he further stated.
that number Of acts in justification Of
the proceedings.
Later, counsel read letters written
by the princess to her husband. in
which she offered to go into a. Car
meiite convent for five years from
whence, the princes added, she would
return purified to the domestic hearth.
Inc prince replied 9fr0m Paris saying
he was going to Clifmay and that he
olo not want to see her counsel
council continued that ON the follow
ing DAY the princess, accompanied by
hugo, supped at the Ambassador
care, with man and woman, and the
princess made scene, with the woman
When she accused her of an attempt
10 Steal her lover. T.. For the sake OF
the children, counsel ethen said. the
prince hoped the court would not re-
qulre proof by Witnesses as the motor
1ety of the scandal and the attitude
OF the princess since the beginning of
the suit. In conclusion counsel recall
ed as early as August 10, 1895. the Gil
Bias Of Paris spoke of the ''Vagaries
OF princess in Paris in AN article
cnearly designating the Princess De
Chimay
Maftre Allan, for the defense. did not
deny the principal fact, but contendetI
that all accessory evidence was false
or greatly exaggerated Proceeding.
SouIlSel enueaVOred to clear Princess
DE Chimay of the reproach that she
was bad mother asserting that If
II was necessary to seek the causes
Tor the eccentric love with which she
wrecked her honor, they could be found
In the weakness of her husband whom
she loved and still loves Counsel con-
t1nu1ng asked the court not to be in
f1uenced by the "atrocious accusation
that the princess had abandoned her
children without regret
Prince Chimay's counsel pointed out
that the princess defense was con-
fined to eXtenuating circumstances and
recalled that the princess, in order to
| escape from the pleading of her hus-
band. sent him formal note through
her doctor that all communications be-
tween them must cease. And today"
counsel added, "she has dared to re-
proach her husband with having aban-
doned her." Counsel for the prince
also said "All Europe would laugh If
the court required testimony in this
case 80
The decision willN be- rendered In
fortnight; but according to general
opinion it is believed that the court
Will grant an abso1dtee divorce without
hearing any testimonys