New-York tribune., 1921-05-11
Mrs. StilIrrlasa
Plans Divorce
Suit Inn France
Was Ready 10 Bring Acsion
When She Was Served, Be-
fore Sailing, With Notice
of Husbands Complaint
Deadlock Here Forecast
Guy's Status an Easier Prob
lem; Russell Unwilling
Witness, His Lawyer Says

"The Stiilman divorce case will be in
Athe state courts for year at least,
when in all probability it will become
dcadlocked and 1t then will go to
I France, where Mrs. Stiliman had origi-
ualiy intended filing suit" said a per-
son closely allied with the action last
night.
The opinion was expressed that the
case would 60 into history as one OF
the hardest fought and most expensive
divorce litigations Of all time.
sss No man not possessed OF enormous
wealth could carry cut campaign in
the courts such as has been planned
by James A. Stillman. it was said. Mr..
Stillmsn has asserted repeatedly that
he will see the case through, and his
friends believe he will make good this
declaration, regardless of where the
battle leads.
Guys Status More Easily Fixed
There is much more hope for an
early settlement of the issues affecting
the little boy, Guy, than for those con-
cerning his mother alone, it was said.
Justice Morschauser will be in posi-
tion to decide the question Of Guys
birth when he has reviewed the opin-
ion of Referee Daniel J. Gleason on
this point.
Should Justice Morschauser finally
rule that both Mr.. and Mrs! Stillman
have broken their marriage vows and
are equally guilty. he viii not be able
under the New York law to grant q
divorce decree. The case then would
be dead issue so far rs the courts of
New York are concerned. 1t could,
however, go to France, TO Reno or
elsewhere, outside this state.
Mrs, Stillman was prepared 60 bring
suit for divorce in France when she
was served. just before sailing for
Europe, with a summons in her hus-
bands actions. She then was put on
the defensive and filed an answer ask
ing only that the plaintiffs petition be
denied.
1t was said yesterday that the atten-
ton paid the Stillman case had caused
much annoSanee to the Bar Association,
where hearings were held last week,
For this reason it has been decided to
reopen the hearings on May 10 in
Poughkeepsie, in the Offices of Referee
Gleason, or perhaps in some larger
quarters there.
There was report that Mr.. Stillman
was accosted on the sidewalk near
Fifth Avenue some time ago by a
stranger who said ne was a friend of
Mrs. Stiilman. The man challenged
Mr.. Stillman to dueb it was declared,
and Mr.. Stillman pushed him off the
Sidewalk. This incident and the re-
ceipt of threatening letters caused Mr.
Stillman's attorneys to furnish him
with a body guard.
Russell Reluctant, Attorney Says
Joseph H. Morey, attorney for Hugh
Russell of Buffalo, last night issued q
statement which read in part:
'sAs counsel for DIR. Russell I at
tended the hearing of the Stillman case
lin New York on Thursday. DR.. Russell
was subpenaed to testify. He pro-
stected his privilege as a physician as
far as it was possible. He claimed his
privilege on every occasion before the
court He volunteered nothing. The
Testimony for which he is criticized
was given in answer to direct and
Especifc questions. Only after he had
asserted that the information was
confidential and after the court had
sruled that the particular matter was
mot confidential, and ordered him to
answer, did he answer these questions
.Dr. Russell testified with the great
est reluctance and after the court COM
lpelled him to answer"