New-York tribune., 1906-11-01
THE CASyELLANE SUIT
Count Bonn Charged zoith Cruelty
and Infdelty.

Paris Oct. 31.-The Castellane divorce case
heard this afternoon before Henry Ditto
president Of the Tribunal of First Instance of
the Seine. Neither the count nor the countess
present Maitre Cruppi for the countess
pleaded for divorce the documentary evil
dence submitted.
Reviewing the case counsel said that the
countess at the beginning of the suit not
acting under influence but solely for the pur
pose of ending forever the peril of the moral
desolation of her household. He explained the
marriage contract, by which separation of prop
erty was established from the beginning and
said that domestic difficulties arose over the
question of money III treatment soon followed
the count even striking the plaintiff before the
servants.
Maitre Cruppi asked that the countess have
the custody of her three children.
The countess was only twenty when she was
married, in 1885, and NJ. Cruppi asserted, the
happiness of the honeymoon disturbed on
their arrival in Paris by the counts demands
for money. The countess's income then
10000 and the count allowed her $50 for pin
money. BY 1899 the countess's interests were
so heavily compromised by the counts extrava-
eance that family meeting was held at New
York and legal trustee appointed. The
difficulties regarding money did not cease NJ
Cruppi added. and in order to obtain funds the
NO0--b
most expensive objects. When the countess pro-
tested the count abused her in the presence Of
servants and when she declined TO attach her
signature to documents he frequently pinched
her and sometimes struck her. the first time be-
ing four months after their marriage.
In the of the pleading NJ. Cruppi pro-
tested against the malicious reports in regard
to the countesss intentions" and announced that
she would leave France for America immeda tely
after divorce was granted her.
Referring to the counts alleged infdety, the
first instance cited by counsel was that of a
married woman described as Madame A" in
1895. The countess accidentally discovered in
the Castelane chateau packet of love letters,
and when she protested the count struck her.
The countess eventually placed the letters in the
custody of a lawyer.
Counsel also mentioned Madame B." and
Madame c. whom the count met, NJ. Cruppi
said in apartments rented in different parts Of
Paris
n. Cruppi added that the counts love affairs
included a number of other women, some of
whose letters were read and caused laughter in
court
Mafre Cruppi said that the counts defence
would probably be that. being young and rich,
he could not protect himself against the as
saults of lovesick women. In the face of the
overwhelming evidence submitted NJ. Cruppi
declared. his opponent could not expect the tri
bunal ask for the summoning Of witnesses.
Counsel added:
Does he imagine by dra agging the case to
obtain forgiveness? No. No Count Bon;'s plan
reconquer his wife's affections is too trans
parent:
The final rupture came the day after ths n.
tertainmcn. OF King Charles of Portugal on
December -. 19|t-. The count insisted counsel
said. that they-the coun. and countess-go to a
shooting party given by noble woman OF whom
the countess hal caus: to complain, and when
the count became angry at the countess refusal
she abruptly announced her intention to separate