The Washington herald., 1921-01-01
ENGLISH BLAME
DIVORCE LAW
LAXITY in U.S..
Cited as Reason for Re-
form Delay in Island
Monarchy.
BY MARY HENKE.

LAxity Of American divorce laws
Is responsible for the difficulty in
obtaining divorce reform in Eng
land.
That is the opinion of Lady
Frances Balfour, one Of the inter
esting figures In the movement to
equalize the English divorce laws
a movement which has strongly
aroused public opinion on both sides
Of the question. The divorce reform
bill, which originated in the House
Of Lords, has yet to pass the House
of Commons. Lady Astor was one
OF the opposition when the bill was
debated recently in the Commons,
and she is expected to oppose it
again when its consideration is re-
sumed.
Many stories, often exaggerated,
have circulated in England concern
ing conditions of divorce in the
United States, and they have given
a handle to the opponents of the
change. 1t is an interesting fact
that American women have been ac-
tive in opposing extension Of di-
yorce here. There is Lady Astor
and another American, Lady Beech
am, also has opposed the proposed
divorce reform as conducive to I'M
morality.
Lady Frances Balfour, who is
daughter Of the Duke Of Argyll and
sister-in-law of Arthur ]. Balfour
has been one of the influential
women who have supported the
movement. She was a member of
the royal commission which investi-
gated divorce conditions and which
returned a majority report favoring
reform. With a strong Scotch
Presbyterian view on the question
Of morality, Lady Balfour's exam
nations permitted Of no quibbling.
Some Of her tart retorts to wit
nesses who lamely tried TO excuse
a double standard Of morality still
are delightedly repeated at women's
gatherings. To any supporter OF
sex inequality Lady Balfour was
terror not soon to be forgotten. She
spared neither lord nor churchman.
Churchmen objects of Attack.
The attitude Of the churchmen in
England toward divorce reform al
ways has subjected them to a great
deal Of attack. The present law
virtually supports a double moral
standard, since it makes it easier
for a man to get a divorce than it
through its conservative members,
has laid itself open to the charge
of cOndOning those conditions.
There were some perspiring Church
OF England clergymen who, after a
terrible session before the commits
sion, left uttering muttered con-
formations of commissions that
were so foolish as to admit women
especially when they were Pres
byterians-tO their body. But Lady
Balfour's vigorous examinations had
their effect, and broad-minded Eng
lishmen began to see that divorce
reform was essential to justice.
Lord Buckmaster introduced his di-
vorce reform bill in the House Of
Lords. extending causes OF divorce
and providing a greater number
of divorce courts.
A frail, little white-haired woman
with searching blue eyes, Lady Bal
four is known over Great Britain
for her insistence on equality be-
tween sexes She was one OF the
early leaders of the constitutional
suffrage movement, and made many
speeches with her subject less popu-
lar than it is now. When Lady
Balfour was in the chair the ses-
sion was certain to be interesting.
Unwary male heckIers were always
making themselves game for her
sharp tongue.
"The Tart in Retort.s
A woman who had lived long in
the courts, Lady Dorothy Neville
died, leaving a book of memoirs in
which she made some unfattering
remarks about what was then the
present generation of young women,
declaring that they could be sum
married. up in one word, Spoiled"
That was before women had helped
to win the war.
That book was referred to by a
reckless man who rose to interrupt
suffrage meeting at which Lady
Balfour was presiding.
Il should like to ask Lady Bal
four" said the young man, 'if she
has read Lady Dorothy Neville's
criticism of the modern woman"
Il should like to ask the gentle
man." retorted Lady Balfour. 'if he
knew Lady Dorothy Neville"
The gentleman did not.
Il did" replied Lady Balfour,"
-and neither dead nor alive was she
worth answering"
Copyright, 1920, Public Ledger Co..