The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-11-13

He Demanded that the Case be Ad-
journed for a Fortnight in Order to
Give the Countess a Chance to Re-
ilcct on the Advisability of a Recon-
ciliation-This was Refused-Ad-
jOurnment was Then Taken for q
Week When a Decision VIII be Rem
dered-Thc Creditors Case. in
Which is Involved a Suit for $40
600, Called, and Evidence Taken.
Paris November 8.-A final word in
the divorce proceedings brought by the
Countess de Castellane against her nus
band. was Maitre BOnnett's assurance
OF Count BOnis undying affection fer
MS wife. and the demand that the case
be adjourned for fortnight, in order
to give the countess an opportunity
to reflect upon the advisability of a
reconciliation This, the court refused
and adjourned for one week, when it's
declsIon-either the ordering of al H.
quIry or the granting of a divorce
will be handed down. Todays pro-
ceedings were confined largely to tits
between opposing counsel over the
charges made yesterday against Ed
mund Kelly, of counsel for the
countess.
The argument in the creditors case
was opened by Maitre MillerIand, who
claimed that the lions share Of the
money involved was owing to trades
men. 1t is stated upon authority that
this claim will be contested by the
countess attorneys who are said to be
settling all legitimate bills.
Maitre Bennett, of counsel for Count
BOnl de CaStellane, in concluding his
argument, continued his criticism #
Edmund Kelly, the American lawyer
OF the Countess, and persisted in his
demand for an examination of the
witnesses in order, he said, to permit
of the case being prObed to the bottom.
Counsel added that in the event of
divorce being granted, the count will
ask for permission to see his children
two days each week, and a month liz
summer, and that the countess be en-
Joined from taking the children to
America without his consent So far
as money was concerned, nothing
would be much altered by a divorce
1t would only mean financial ruin for
the count.
1t was impossible for him to meet
his outstanding obligations, amounting
to $4,000 year. The remainder of
his ancestral inheritance would have
to be sold. If his wife desired to pre-
sent him in such a light before the
world he had nothing more to say.
Nevertheless it seemed only just that
he should be reimbursed the $4,000
which he obtained from a legacy, and
the sale of his share Of the ancestral
forest of Bueny, and which was con-
tributed to the household expenses.
Counsel concluded with asserting that
he was convinced that the countess, If
free TO obey the dictates of her con-
science. would yet consent to a recon
citation and sOlemnly assured the court
of the counts respect, esteem and IN
dying affection for his wife.
Maitre Cruppi, for the countess, in
reply charged the counts lawyer with
seeking to divert attention from the
issue before the bar by making an un-
precedented and baseless attack on Mr..
Kelly. who, counsel declared, enjoyed
a standing in the United States and
France which made his defense super
f1ous. he having been counsel for the
American embassy in Paris for the
past twenty years. Maitre Cruppl read
a letter from Mr.. Kelly denying the
charges made against him, and saying
that until the names of the persons
mentioned were introduced by counsel
hnot Il IF
those he was supposed to have bTihed.
Maitre Cruppi then produced what he
declared to be forged documents by
which. counsel charged. the count IN
july last attempted to convince his
wife that Mr.. Kelly was concerned in
a plot to accomplish his political ruin.
Finally Maitre Bonnet asked the
court to postpone the case for a fort
night in the hope of a final recOncil-
iation, bat the Judge refused to do SO,
and adjourned the hearing for a week,
The court. after hearing the cOnclu-
sion of the public prosecutor next week,
will announce it's decision, either for
a divorce or for the examination Of
the witnesses. The creditors case, in
which Count Boni. the Countess de
Castellane and George ]. Gould, as
trustee, are made joint defendants, was
called after recess today. This suit,
which is brought by six creditors, IN
wolves $40. 900.
Maitre Millerand of counsel for the
creditors, contended that the countess
under the regime of separation Of prop
erty, was responsible with her husband
for the expenses of the household. He
spoke in extremely sarcastic vein, say
ing his client re particularly glad
TO learn that the countess did not .n-
tend to fly tC All erica. Maitre Miller
and ridiculed the attempts of opposing
counsel to depict her as living in a
state of poverty The count, he assert
ed, had not squandered all her money
The countess should pay her share OF
the extravagances. In single month