Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-06

TT is a significant fact that some of the
most fashionable women in New York
society have recently gone to Paris,
France, for their divorces. rather than to
Reno. Nevada or some other popular
centre of the American divorce industry.
During the past few months Mrs. Ogden
l.. Mills. daughter of Mrs. w. X. Wander
bi!t, and Mrs. Leonard Thomas, the noted
beauty. havo obtained divorces with re-
markable secrecy in the French capital.
a few months before that 1t was the dis
tinguished Mrs. "Phil" Lydig who OBJ
tanned her freedom in the same city
In the early years OF the war the equally
distinguished Mrs. Clarence Mackay, now
Mrs. Joseph a. Blake, divorced Mr. Mac.
kay from the vantage ground Of Paris
residence. She appears to have been a
pioneer in the movement among the smart
set to secure matrimonial relief from the
French courts
Other names could be added TO the list,
but the four women mentioned represent
in the highest degree tho beauty. brains,
wealth, smartness, distinction, cleverness
and originality Of New York society
Their example sufficiently proves the
statement that there is tendency in the
fashionable set to so to Paris for divorce,
rather than to Reno or any other Ameri-
can resort.
Shall wo see Paris entirely supplant
Reno as the home of easy and pleasant
divorce? Social authorities say that more
women will still ga to Reno, but the
smartest will prefer Paris. A divorce
originating in tho latter place will have
f'rction
Investigation has proved that French
laws offer attractions to those seeking
easy divorce fully as great as those Of
Nevada-in some respects greater. The
most important point about the French
divorce law is that the Judge may con-
slider any period as establishing a legal
residence for the petitioner, whereas Ne.
Vada requires a residence Of six months
The French judge may decide that
woman who has been in France for n
week. or even for 4 day, has acquired a
legal residence enabling her TO sue for
divorce. II is not believed that such a
decision has been given, but It Is possible
in principle. The point Is left entirely to
the wisdom Of the Judge.
1t is not necessary for the narties IN be
citizens of France for tho French code
lays down as general principle that for
e!gners resident In France shall enjoy the
same benefit and protection from French
laws as citizens OF the country.
Service OF notice to appear and defend
suit for divorce may be made by publ.
cation In tho newspapers IL the Judge de-
cides that it Is the only reasonable pro.
ccdure
After the first fling OF n divorce com.
plant the Judge issues 'reQuete en- con.
Citation" which Is demand that the
parties shall appear before him and ell.
deavor to settle their differences with his
assistance. II they fail TO respond or fail
TO agree the suit proceeds
Tho testimony may be taken by demo.
stion II the Judge so orders, thus insIlr.
ing perfect secrecy and the minimum of
distress and discomfort to n woman plain
I'M. IL the judge Is satisfied that the plain.
tiff Is entitled to divorce. he grants an
interlocutory judgment az in England and
In some American States. This Is for six
months. at the end OF which time II may be
made absolute. The judgment Is promul-
gated so quietly that In several cases of
American applicants II has escaped public
knowledge for many months after it was
given.
The grounds for divorce in France are
not dissimar to those of Nevada. where
cruelty" Is listed as n cause and has been
construed by Judges to cover such offenses
as speaking unsympatheticaily 10 d vito
or not speaking to her often enough
The serious grounds OF divorce in Franco
are infdeity and conviction OF an infa-
nous crime. Tho lighter grounds are
cassed together under Article 33l OF tho
Inge ,II