The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-01
France Alarmed al
Increase Of Divorces

Special to The Globe.
PARIS, Feb. 2S.-From the publica-
ton OF recent statistics It appears that
the results Of the working Of the d.
Vorce law in France have been any
thing but what was expected by the
sanguine promoters of that measure.
1t Is not impossible that the law
may be repealed, as the enemies of the
measure are taking every means Of
bringing the facts before the French
pubic In such a manner as to bring
1t into disrepute.
M. Louis Legrand, g. member Of the
Academy of Sciences, is one Of the
ablest men Of the time, and in a recent
lecture on the subject he showed how
absolutely the results of the law had
contrad1cted the anticipations of the
legislators. These had said that legal
divorce, made sufficiently easy to be
accessible to all classes, would make
common law marriages and other ir-
Irregularities Of that character extreme
ly scarce. 1t was also assumed that
clandestine irregularities and the birth
rate of illegitimate children would de-
crease. 1t was hoped that the new
law would disrupt no households, but,
on the contrary, would diminish matri-
monial separations. It was thoroughly
believed by the parliamentary COM
mission charged with the preparation
"a SAAO NAfOiS 70 low LIdl I'LL THESE SOOO
results could ensue from 1t. The re-
ports pointed out that absolute divorce
would prove far better remedy than
simple separation without divorce
They assumed that public morality
would permit no liberation of abuse
Of the law, and that the religious ten
denotes of the majority of French men
ana women, which severely condemn
divorce. would have the effect of pre-
venting any excess. AS another safe
guard the severity and structures Of
the magistrates were to be considered,
and, as a matter of fact, the mere
knowledge that divorce had been made
possible was to act as a deterrent
upon married people TO the indulgence
OF their fatuous fancies. The law, in
fact, was to become a means Of ter
ror1z1ng the frivolous to such an ex-
tent that the harmony Of the family
relations would be guaranteed and the
reason for committing such indiscre-
tons entirely dispelled, hence divorce
would be only an exceptional thing,
but, nevertheless, one of the safeguards
of the country.
To bear upon the argument statistics
were brought forward, gathered from
other countries, by means of which
attempt was made to prove positively
that divorce law actually diminished
divorces and the kind Of conduct
WHICH IeduS 10 In6n.
There was considerable difficulty en-
countered in passing the law. It's re-
lection by the parliaments of 1873 and
1881 was decisive, but so we'll had it's
advocates done their work that at the
next attempt 1t passed the chamber
or deputies, but was defeated in the
senate. 1t was not until 1884 that the
measure was finally carried in both
houses, with due assurance from all
concerned that the law was to be adj
m1n1stered with great restraint
AS a matter Of fact, all these prom
ises, premises and prophecies have
proved fallacious. Since the introduce
ton of the law, not only have the
number of divorces increased with
leaps and bounds yearly, but the causes
Which lead to 1t have multiplied until
the fragrant misconduct of married
persons has come to be a menace to
the home and family, warranting, 1t is
asserted, the immediate repeal of the
law.
From 1885 to 1889 the increase in
applications for divorce, in. cases where
there mad been no previous separation
was from 1880 in the former year to
9,O53 in the latter. The total number
OF applications increased from 1.773 in
1884 to 5000 in 1900. Of these appli-
cations 1857 were granted in 1884 and
an almost steadily increasing number
edcn year up TO the 1880 divorces
granted in 1900. Previous to the mass
ing Of this law the number of legal
separations granted annually in France
did not exceed annually an average of
$500.
Reckoning by percentage, in the be-
ginning there were fourteen for each
1000 marriages. This increased in
1883 to twenty three, and in 1899 to
twenty-six. In the department of the
Seine this proportion rises to seventy
eight divorces for every 1000 mar,
riages, or a grand total of 2,577 di-
vorces.
The same story is told In all coun-
tries that allow divorce, there being
invariably rapid increase, although in
France the increase is more rapid than
anywhere else Everywhere and among
all classes divorces are becoming COM
mon. The habit has spread to the
working classes and is proving a great
factor In breaking up homes. The in
crease in petitions for divorce made bv
women, and the readiness with which
they marry again, proves that the old
moral and religious restraints are los
ing their influence, and divorce is en-
tering more and more into the life of
the people. The facility with which
the magistrates grant divorces is a sad