Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-11-14

ton, who has sent circulars to the gov.
ernors OF all the states and territor-
les asking them to write him officially
whether they know OF any authority
within their jurisdiction competent to
give such certificates, and whethes
in their opinion, it is possible or prac-
tical for citizens of their states tenl-
porarily residing in Germany to com
ply with this law. When he has re
ceived replies to these inquiries it is
expected that the secretary OF state
will forward them to the ambassador
at Berlin with instructions to place
them before the imperial authorities
and ask that the Law be SO modified
| as to exempt Americans from its pro-
visions. There will probably be no
objection where both parties are
Americans, but no modification will
be made to facilitate international
marriages. and hereafter American
girls who want to marry Germans will
have to go outside the country to do
so. This may lesen the number of
such marriages. and If so the new law
is thing to be grateful for.
Many American girls who have mar
ried German officers have spent their
lives regretting it. On the doher
hand some of the happiest and most
popular women in Germany are AmeO
ican wives of native husbands. 1t al
depends upon the man. Germans
seem to prefer American wives whe&
they can get them. Attractive
Americangirls who come here to
spend the winter. to study languages.
music or art, or for other reasons.
are sure to have offers of marriage,
particularly if they have money, usu-
ally from the dashing young army
officers who make up so large and SO
important a part of society in the cit
les of Germany. But every American
girl who is subjected to this tempta-
tion should understand that the ser
wants of the household have more le-
gal protection than their mistress who
has no rights at all Everything she
has is her husbands. her property.
her earnings, even the very garments
she wears. The law gives him en-
tire control of her children; she has
no legal claim upon them, and cannot
even direct their education unles1
their father permits it. She is en-
tirely dependent upon his generosi-
ty. If she has money 1t becomes
his. whether 1t belonged to her be-
fore the marriage or came into her
possession afterwards. When q wo-
man marries german husband she
surrenders every right and privilege
that women in other countries pos
sess. The laws of the empire do not
hap tl
reason the American ambassador and
che consuls of the United States in
Germany always warn American
girls against marrying Germans un-
Ill they are fully advised as to the
situation.
| The insufficient protection of wives
has caused a large and influential Or
ganization of German women who
have for years been trying to secure
Il modification of the laws. They 30
far have accomplished no practical re-
suits. but the members tell me that
they are not discouraged and feel that
they are gaining ground by educating
public sentiment.
| Under the new code there is no pen
atty for breach of promise. A mar
/
if either party to an engagement de-
sires to withdraw from it, and no
damages can be recovered except in
cases where money has been expend-
ed In preparation for the wedding and
presents have been exchanged with
the expectation of marriage. II
child exists the father Is required to
pay for it's support and education.
If he is rich he is required to pay
large sum. and If poor, less. The
court will require him to educate the
| child in manner that will fit him
to occupy the same station in life
as his father. The mother can col
| lect the amount of her hospital fees.
Doctors bills and all her expenses
until she has recovered from her con-
inement