New-York tribune., 1921-03-21
wife Tried to Get Banker
toCo With Her to France
onReliefMission; Asked
Help of His Associates
Interference in
Business Charged
Mrs. Leeds Quietly Closes
( Miami Home; Departs
With Child for Havana

lanes A. Stillman and his wife
..rted, it was learned yesterday, in
March, 1920, three months before the
S,rker served papers in his divorce ac-
.ion upon her and the baby who, he
,sserts, is illegitimate.
Their separation, according to friends
familiar with the situation, was due to
Mrs. Stillman's insistence that her hus-
band accompany here to Europe to as
sist, as leading American financier, in
reconstruction in France. Friends of
the family asserted that at that time
Stillman evinced no suspicion of Fred
Beauvais, the French Canadian, who, he
slleges now, is the father of two-year-
old Guy Stllman.
Nor did Mrs. Stillman, it was said,
tax her husband with intimacy with
Mrs. Florence H. Leeds, whose two
year-old child Jay now is alleged to
be the son of Mr.. Stillman. Mrs. Leeds,
who departed in haste few days ago
from Miami, Fla, is believed to be in
Havana, Cuba.
A dispatch received last night from
Miami said that Mr.. Stillman had not
been there for several weeks, although
bis yacht was in the by. He lived
aboard the yacht while at Miami and
several times accompanied Mrs. Leeds
to the homes of members of the winter
colony. Mrs. Leeds is said to have
told an acquaintance that her baby was
the child OF marriage she contracted
several years ago and that her enemies
we're trying to take the child from her.
Mr.. Stiliman. according to friends of
his wife, made the separation neces-
mry because of his resentment at what
be termed his wife's interference in his
business affairs. This interference. !"
It was said, consisted in her constant
sndeavor to have Mr.. Stillman 90
abroad with her to help lift the
financial burden from France, as she
herself, through her war relief activi-
hes, had been helping TO alleviate the
Individual distress of French refugees
Wife Consulted Bank Officials
The definite break came, it was said
when Mr.. Stillman discovered that his
wife had been seeking 60 persuade his
friends in the business world to use
their influence to compel him to accede
to her wishes. She is said t6 have
soughtto enlist officials of the National
City Bank, of which Mr.. stillman is
president, in her cause. When this
came to the knowledge of Mr.. Stillman
be is said to have ieplrted suddenly
from the estate at Pocant;co Hills.
where he had been living with his fam
ily. '''' '''0 q III
The break did not deter Mrs. Still
~ man from carrying out what she be-
iieved to be her own duty in connec-
uoh with humanitarian efforts across
ne sea. On July 3, 1920, accompanied
y the child, Guy, she boarded the
olympic, bound for Europe. It was ON
this occasion that she was ~erye1 with
summons in Mr.. Stillman's divorce
defendant.
MIS-. Stiliman instructed her LAWYERS
ME general denial to the allega
y, ,'OIs. u.s. upon her return to New York
;1.s oeptember the case was brought to
ess ssue py the appointment of Daniel J.
q" ASleiee ana JOnn T.. Mack
"goardian ad litem for the child.
mrs. Stlilman supplemented her orig
.ai answer with counter allegations
ssgainst the banker, charging him with
uelng the father of the child known
asJay Leeds. Argument on Mrs. Still
mans request for increased alimony
saa s counsel fees is set for Wednesday
oeIore Supreme Court Justice Mors-
saauser at White Plains. Whether this
point viii be settled out of court, thus
yermitting the case to be resumed be-
.efe the referee in secret, is matter
speculation. The belief here YES
s, ssaoay was that compromise would
aos be reached.
Bank Directors Meet Tomorrow
Z. directors of the National City Bank
sase s,s 20 meet tomorrow. Except for the
,yVss,oillty that questions bearing upon
%s hnaneial position of the bank might
ss,, m asked of Mr.. Stillman if he were
sse ss.!ed to the witness stand to give
ss;sslmony as to his income in connec-
s,aa nva with his wife's request for all in
msase !" see IN temporary alimony, there is
nnlte reason for any discussion
Ms Ms personal affairs at the meeting.
,,n.A Msmners of the board said that they
S'Ss''ea no mention Of the divorce ac-