New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-04
MRS. WEST GETS DECREE
Suit for Restitution of COniugaI
Rights Successful.
CASE LASTS SIX MINUTES
Petitioner Gives Evidence Of
Strong Emotion While Tes-
tifying in London Court.

INV 'ahlr 20 Tho Tribune
London March "a speed record for
English az, cree courts vas established
to-day. whom Sir Samuel Evans. Prcsi-
dent Of the Divorce Division of The
High Court OF Justice. granted the pet,-
ton Of Mrs. CORVALLIS West against
her youthful husband or restitution of
coniugal rights. Exactly six minutes
elapsed from the moment the case vas
called until Sir Samuel pronounced the
decree which ended the first stage Of
Mrs. Vests divorce proceedings
Fourteen days must nov clapse from
the time notice Of to-day's decree is
served on Mr.. West before his wife
can begin suit for absolute divorce.
Mrs Cornwallis-W West gave every cvi-
dcnce of strong emotion when called to
the stand to-day. She wore the same
black velvet dress and sablcs that she
wore when she testified recently in the
suit arising from her Shakespeare z
England" enterprise. and carried on
her left wrist a dainty gold bag. she
was heavily yelled ana answered coun-
sells questions ia faltering. husky
voice. frequently only bowling assent 20
statements.
Everything was carried out with the
apparent object OF Withholding anv
possible evidence which would estab-
lsh the identity Of the petitioner. The
court official merely called West agt.
West" when the case was reached.
toward the close of the afternoon sit
ting. and only once again during The
whole proceedings was the name West
mentioned. The Christian names of
the parties were never presented 10 the
court. procedure in direct contraveu-
ton of established rules.
Viscount Tiverton. Mrs. Vests coun-
10 mention the names at all. He re-
terred all through 10 the parties merely
as petitioner and respondent. During
counsels opening Mrs. West was walk
ing in the outside corridor, accompanied
by TWO men friends hut second be-
fore she was due on the witness stand
her solicitor beckoned the party into
court.
Lord TNertOn told the court that the
marriage took place on July ~, 1900.
AT St Paurs. kingsbridge. and that the
desertion complained of occurred on
December % last. The petition was
filed on January -. this year. and on
January 80 appearance was entered
but no answer fled. Sir Samuel Evans
asked the nature OF the desertion. and
counsel replied that the respondent left
his house. in Norfolk street, Park Lane,
where they had been living together
Letters passed between them at the
end OF December but respondent failed
10 return to petitioner at her request.
Sir Samuel asked: is RESPONDENT
here" 10 which Mr.. Vests legal repre-
sentative replied MIR. West has been
served but is not here. do not know
If he is in the country"
The court then granted decree OF
restitution within fourteen days, with
costs. Mrs West bowed 10 Sir Samuel
Evans and Immediately left the court,
accompanied by friends. court Of
fetal conducted the party TO "A private
exit seldom used in this way and thus
,hcv eluded any public attention that
might have been directed toward them.
II was on December 30. week after
tho desertion occurred. that the notice
sppeared in the London papers an
ronpcinu that Ruthin Castle, the fam
lily seat of the CORVALLIS VESTS j"
Wales, was for sale.