The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1922-09-19
PARIS MECCA OF
DIVORCE HUNTERS
Americans and Other Foreigners
Are Taking Advantage of
Easy French Laws.
SECRECY IS THE CHIEF FACTOR
American Lawyer In Paris Declares
the Whole Divorce Situation In
France an Abuse and Scan
daI-Grounas for Decree.

H. -
Paris.-The increasing number of
divorces obtained in Paris by prOmi-
! nent Americans and other foreigners
seeking relief from matrimonial in
felicity has led to many inquiries as
to why the French capital apparently
has become such European Reno for
discontinued spOuses.
The chief magnet appears to lie in
the fact that divorce proceedings may
be brought in French courts with 81
lent ease and completed without even
friends and acQuaintances becoming
aware, at least through the medium
Of French newspapers, that there has
been the slightest ripple on the sea of
domesticity. Publication of such pro-
ceedings by native newspapers is
criminal Offense, on the ground of
lowering public morals. The newSpa-
pers may print the names of those in
vOlved, if they can obtain them, and
the fact that q divorce has been grant
ed, but nothing more.
Recent publicity In the United States
Of some divorces of Americans in
Paris has caused an unpleasant feel
ing of apprehension among attorneys
for others who have been contemplate
ing divorce action. Several cases of
Americans are reported to have been
taken to Tours, Rennes and other pro-
vincial cities, both for the still great
er secluSion offered and because the
provincial court calendars are not so
crowded as are those in Paris.
Must Establish Residence.
Provisional DEGREES usually may be
obtained in France in from one to
three months, and final DEGREES so
days thereafter. The complainant
must establish residence in France,
but a declaration that he intends to
stay indefinitely is held to be suffi-
cfent, or the inclusion among his pa
pers Of a years lease on an apart
ment: The second essential condition
Is that the defendant must appear be-
fore the court in person, or through
counsel IL he is a resident Of France.
But If the defendant lives outside the
country, as Is the case Of Americans,
notice must be given through the
state department.
There are three grounds for divorce
in France: adultery, conviction Of
felony and cruelty. Both physical VIC
lence and mental anguish are accept
ed under the heading Of cruelty.
Neither party to divorce is allowed
to remarry in France within ten
months, because of the question of
custody and sustenance for the chill
dren.
1.-THE whole divorce situation in
France, from the American viewpoint,
is an abuse and a scandal" said
Charles f. Beach, an American law
yer in Paris. "There is no suggestion
of Reno in the attitude of the French
courts, but French judges are not
aware of the advantage that is being
taken of them by Americans who are
procuring divorces. These divorces are
generally Of no value in the United
States, but Americans obtain them
and they may hold until their validity
is contested. Any kind of rope of
sand will hold until it's pulled"
Liberal Regarding Divorces.
At the ministry of justice the sug-
gestion that Paris is becoming a Sec
Ond Reno for American divorces is not
well received. NJ Lemeerieux, first as
siStant to Minister of Justice BarthOu,
said that France was a liberal coun-
try regarding divorces, having been
the first continental country to grant
them to foreigners under the law of
1884, and that possibly Paris was be-
ing visited for this purpose just as
Fiume was such q resort for Italians
because of the lack of a divorce law
In Italy.
M. Wells, director Of civil affairs at
the ministry Of justice, said he did
not think it logical that France should
be looked upon in the United States
as a country where divorces could be
easily obtained, since there were few
er legal grounds for divorce here than
in America.
Generally speaking, France grants
divorces to foreigners If their own
countries permit divorces. Judges
during the last few years have been
taking a more lenient view toward ap-
plications for divorce by foreigners.
Previously the applicants usually were
notified that they should apply for