Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-08
DUCHESS SEEKING
DIVORCE ALLEGES
HUSBAND is THIEF
Former Miss Hanan Says Duke
Durazzo Deceived Her-Suit
viii Be Fought.

NEW YORK, Oct. S.-The Duke di
Majo Durazzo, defendant in a suit
filed yesterday to annul his marriage
to Miss Elizabeth Frances Hanan, a
sister of John T. Hanan, millionaire
shoe manufacturer, announced today
that he expected TO defend the ae-
ton
THE Hanan family offered me s25
week for life" he said. But what
is s25 to me? What / wanted was a
wife"
Annulment is sought on the allega-
ton that the duke is convicted
thief and that he was under indict-
ment in France at the time of the
wedding.
Only eight months ago society was
interested in the brilliant wedding of
Miss Hanan to the duke in st.
Thomass Church. The duke had
signed ar agreement waving all
rights to any of his wifes property.
John II. Hanan. the duchess's
brother, declares that Durazzo was
not purchased duke" But now
it is said that the real reason the
duchess in bringing her suit instead
OF shielding the dukes name is be-
cause he threatened a scandal ana
demanded from Mr.. Hanan 5000 in
settlement.
The separation of the duke and the
duchess took place soon after their
marriage, but the fact was concealed
from the most intimate friends or the
Hanan family. The reasons for that
separation and for the filing of the
suit yesterday are made clear in the
allegations for the petition and in q
statement by Mr.. Hanan.
: II is alleged that the duke was en-
ployed in "a confidential capacity as
cashier for Il. Pelechied, Cornet, pro-
prietor of the Hotel Richmond, in
Paris, and that on or about April IL,
1912, he "embezzled from his en-
ployer the sum of 1000 francs. to-
gether with securities of the value of
5000 francs, and used and dlssipated
same In gambling In connection
with these facts the duckass com.
plains that the duke for the purpose
of inducing her to marry him falsely
and fraudulently represented to her
that he was a respectable, honest,
law-abiding and honorable man and
concealed from her his true charac-
ter"
The bridal pair went to Europe last
spring. On May S, 1t is alleged, the
duke, while in Monaco, got his eye
blackened in a fight and landed in Jail.
Mr.. Hanan in helping him out dis
covered, 1t is alleged, that he was a
fugitive from Justice.
After the duke obtained his liberty
in Paris he was informed that the
duchess would have nothing further
to do with him. He begged for per-
mission to see her, but that was de-
MED. When he learned that his wife
had returned to this country he hur-
rled here, followed her to the Hanan
country home at Narragansett Pier
and importuned Mrs. Hanan to use
her influence in his behalf. Failing
there, he watched an opportunity to
speak to his wife in the street and
again begged for her forgiveness.
She refused to speak to him, but
kept up monthly payments OF money
to him, and when she lapsed in her
allowance she is said to have re-
ceived a letter asking for $50, 900.
Then she stopped her payments en-
tirely.
After the complaint in the suit was
served on the duke he is said to have
written a letter to Mrs. John II.
Hanan. requesting her help in stop
ping the suit. The duke does not
write easily in English, and the fol-
lowing excerpt from the letter is in
teresting:
For the sake of our old friendship
feel it is my duty to inform you
that If this case is going to be pushed
to the extreme it will be very much
annoying for the scandal to which
will be exposed anyone who has been
connected with that unfortunate
marriage.
Reporters have been annoying me
already. but l have avoided them
thus far
When the Duchess saw that letter
she became still more angry and her
friends quote her as saying that she
Is not afraid of the publicity. 1t Is
said that the case will be hurried to
an early trial. The duke is living in
New York.
Anthony Tuozzo. of a. Court street,
Brooklyn, is attorney for the
duchess.