The Washington herald., 1906-11-09

Paris, Nov. S-Countess Anna de Cas-
tellane has won her first contention IN
her suit for divorce against her noble"
husband, who beat her, and there will
be no open trial.
The judges will decide the question Of
the divorce on the documentary evidence
submitted This determination was an
nounced to-day with a statement that a
verdict will be rendered next Thursday.
This means the names Of the women
who are BOnfs companions In his liasions
will not be made public. II also means
that Boni viii have a chance for his life,
which he would not have had If his de-
mand for an open hearing of the charges
made against him had been sustained.
To-day's proceedings in the notorious
trial took a turn toward the ridiculous,
appreciated by every one except, perhaps,
Boni How very anxious Boni was to ef-
/ feet a reconciliation with his rich wife
was shown when the case Of his creditors,
who are trying TO collect their claims, was
begun on the conclusion OF the divorce
hearing.
BOBf's Expectation n Joke.
An army Of creditors thronged the court
/ house 10 offer proof Of their claims
against the prodigal count, whose personal
debts are estimated to reach $4,000.
/ NJ. Miller represented them in the suit
/ brought against the little count In view
Of the vigor with which the creditors are
pressing the suit II is not TO be wondered
at that Boni wished 10 preserve his wife
] g. ra..f.-
/ Some Of the statements made in court
( by NJ Bonnet Bonrs attorney. in re-
gard to the countess financial affairs.
/ have caused a laugh for those acquainted
with the facts. NJ. Bonnet declared that
Boni has spent 1eo.oo0 francs he inherited
/ from Madame Gallieri. and s0o.000 francs
which he had anticipated receiving from
/ his father. the Marquis de Castellane, on
I the Trianon, the handsome Paris man
/ slon Of tue Castellanes.
Just how Boni could spend 500. .OO1
/ francs which he had anticipated from
/ his fathers estate" is the latest wonder
/ Of Paris. 1t IS well known that the Mar
/ quis DC Castcllane practically supports
/ himself by writing. and BOnis anticipa-
/ ton Of So0.toG francs from him is regarded
/ as q good joke.
/ One statement made by NJ. Bonnet.
/ however, Is believed without question.
This is that Boni VIII be pauperized un-
l less he is allowed suitable almony in the
! divorce decree
Says Debts Are Not Personal.
N. Bonnet insisted that not one Of
+ Boni's debts, representing something like
an annual expenditure Of 1900 francs.
! is a personal obligation. but that all the
money Was spent. with the countess. on
/ houses or art collections, which she en-
joyed as much as he did. The countess
/ even encouraged Boni in these expendi-
4 tuTes- The Trisnon. NJ Bonnet saiC, had
/ proved bottomless pit for the sinking
/ Of Countess Annals American dollars
/ Bonrs appeals for a reconciliation con
/ tinued up TO the very moment Of the
closing Of the hearing
In summing up his address. NJ. Bonnet
made a final plea. saying.
i have a mission to-day 10 bring the
/ countess the assurance Of the undyine
! affection Of her unhappy husband"
In outlining BOni's demands. NJ. Bonnet
stated that the count Is willing for the
/ children to remain with their mother
/ except that they are 70 spend a part. al
/ least, of all holidays with him. and are
/ TO visit his parents on Thursday and
Sunday afternoons. Neither are the chill
/ GTCn 10 be taken 10 America without his
! permission. as in no other way can Bon
! be assured that they will be reared ac.
/ cOrding 10 French ideas Boni fears thai
the countess may want 20 keep them 81
/ the United States in view of her state
ment that she is miserable I'm France. and
has never felt at home there.
Countess Also Got In Debt.
VI. Bonnet made q final effort TO Undue,
The court 10 order an inquiry 70 prov,
the allegations made against his client
which. he stated had not been substan
tiated. The court ruling was against him
however.
Then came the creditors. and the hear
ing Of their claims. which had been post
poned after the divorce case was ATTENDED
to, was begun.
That the creditors intend 70 try TO hold
Countess Anna jointly liable with Bon
for his enormous debts was demonstrates
In the opening speech OF NJ. Hilleraud
The attorney declared that the 100000
francs annual income allotted the CasteI
lanes by the Gould family was not sufn
cient 10 meet the household expenses
Hence Boni and Countess Anna jointly
got into the hands Of usUTers. Both hus
band and wife signed papers on whicl
money was loaned. lie declared tha.
Countess Anna has recognized the debts
thus making herself responsible for them