The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1922-08-24
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
dal--Grounds for Decree.

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 ST.
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 a
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 a 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
err 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 80
days thereafter. The complainant
must establish residence in France
but a declaration that he intends to
stay indefinitely is held to be sufi-
eient, 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 if 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
because of the, question of |
custody and sustenance for the chill
1ren.
"The whole divorce situation In |
France, from the American viewpoint, |
IS an abuse and scandal said |
Charles f. Beach, an American law
yer in Paris. There is no suggestion {
If Reno in the attitude of the French /
,ourts, but French judges are not
aware Of the advantage that is being
aiken of them BY Americans who are
divorces. These divorces are
Of no value in the United
States, but Americans obtain them
md they may hold until their validity
S contested. Any kind Of rope Of
and will hold until it's pulled"
Liberal Regarding Divorces.
At the ministry of justice the sug-
.estion that Paris is becoming a seq
nd Reno for American divorces is not
veil received. NJ. Lemeerieux, first as
istant to Minister Of Justice Barthou,
aid that France was a liberal coun-
ry regarding divorces, having been
he first continental country to grant
hem to foreigners under the law of
SS4, and that possibly Paris was be-
1g visited for this purpose just as
hume was such a resort for Italians
ecause Of the lack Of a divorce law
4 Italy.
NJ. Wells director of civil affairs at
he ministry of justice, said he did
OF think 1t logical that France should
e looked upon in the United States
S a country where divorces could be
asily obtained, since there were few
r legal grounds for divorce here than
/ America
Generally speaking, France grants
ivorces to foreigners if their own
Duntries permit divorces. Judges
uring the last few years have been
liking more lenient view toward APP
lications for divorce by foreigners.
reviously the applicants usually were
49, thoV. eJnr,ld