Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-31
Liberal DIVORCE LAW
ON CARRANzA PROGRAM
Any Judge In Mexico Now Empow-
cred to Annul Marriage
Contract.
MERE AGREEMENT SUFFICIENT
Factions Headed by Villa. Zapata and
Gutierrez Expected to Duplicate
Decrcc-Conditions Not Differing
Greatly From Bigamy Probable.

VERA CRUZ, January so.--Gcncral
Carranza has added to his program OF
reforms the granting Of absolute d.
vorcc Any judge In Mcxico-!f he cares
to take the chance of Carranza re-
seating himself in Chapultcpcc--may
now annull marriage contract Tho
law became effective on New Years
Day.
Mexico has heretofore never granted
more than legal separation. The
new law not only provides for divorce
with the rtEht 10 rcmnrry. but makes
the dissolution of the union so simple
that tho mere agreement OF man and
Wife to break their marital contract is
sufficient
If the factions headed by Villa and
Zapata and Gutierrez should not agree
to duplicate Carranza's decree. state
of marital relations not differing greet
" from higamy may be expected in the
territory now controlled by Cnrranza
il is asserted. however. that Villa. Ia
pata and their followers are OF like
mind on tho question. and will not
hesitate TO follow Carranza's example
should Tho law stand. Mexico will be
perhaps tho most liberal country In the
world in specifications OF the causes
for divorce III the case OF mutual con-
sent II Is merely necessary for the man
and wife 10 sCn an agreement stating
.hey arc tired Of living together. pro-
y,dInC for proper division of property
and the disposition OF the children. pre-
sent this 10 a judge after II has beer
atiested by a notary, and the judge mas
no option but TO render the Judgment
that enables them 10 search for new
mates.
Unfaithfulness cruelty and those Of
lenses usually listed In most divorce
laws as reasons for separations are
given, but there are few unusual
features as we'll Abandonment on the
part Of the wife is defined as "Ahan-
donment without cause OF the conjn-
gal home, even though il ne for a sin
gle night" Towards the husband the
law is more lenicnt His absence from
donnent unless he has remained away
flor thirty consecutive nights"
WIFE MUST SUPPORT
HUSBAND OUT OF WORK
The wife who refuses TO support
her husband when he IS out OF
work and when She has money. shall
be ndjudged as having given grounds
for divorce.
One restriction has been placed in
that section relating 10 divorce by mu-
tual consent. 1t Is specified that in that
case the parties must have lived TO-
gether at least for three years.
Carranza, commenting on his decree,
said that marriage among the lower
classes was cxccptionai; that those
unions which do cXts, are rarely legal
i2ed, whether on account OF poverty or
the instructive fear OF entering into an
irrevocahlc contract" He explained
that in his opinion divorce offered the
best remedy for reducing the number OF
illegitimate unions. which he admitted
characterized Il great part of the unions
In Mexico lie was chiefly concerned,
however, in alternating the condition OF
woman, especially the woman of the
middle and lower classes.
1T is a fact" ne said. beyond NIL
doubt that in the middle classes the
woman. due 10 special conditions OF
education and customs. is incapac!tated
for successful participation In tho eco
nomic struggle. ON this account the
woman who's" marriage has become n
farce finds herself the victim OF her
husband. placed in a condition of slav-
cry from which she cannot escape cx-
ccpt by means Of a law mat Will break
the bond Joining her 10 her husband
and so emancipatinc her. This law
should give to the woman. especially
the woman Of the lower class. the OPP
portunity for her own uplift and for
her emancipation from the slavery in
which she finds hcIsolf"
SMALLPOX has !mane big Roadway in
Vera Cruz in spite ~ The efforts made
by General Aucrhach. chief OF tho sani-
tary work The presence OF greater
numbers 81 troops and the imposs,bilitv
OF making them conform 10 modern
sanitary regulations has resulted in a
dirtier city Than the residents have
known Cor years General Auerhach be-
lievcs the comparatively cool winter
weather VIII make Improbable tho scri-
Gus spread. however OF any disease un-
less it Is smallpox.