Evening star., 1926-11-15
NEW REVELATIONS
IN DUKES CASE
Church Circles Stirred Anew
by Vanderbilt
ough Decision.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, November 15.--The
authorities Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church and Society were stirred
today by further revelations regard
ing the annulment by the Catholic
Church of the Episcopal marriage of
the Duke of Marlborough and the for
mer Consuelo Vanderbilt of New York
Bishop William Manning, head of
the Episcopal Diocese of New York,
thinks the annulment amazing and
Incredible
The marriage was annulled by de-
cree of the Diocesan Court at South
wark, England, which was upheld by
the tribunal Of the rota in Rome.
Announcement that annulment was
granted on a plea of the former duch.
ess has added to the stir. She divorc-
ed the duke several years ago and now
is the wife of Col. jacques Belsan of
France. A report that Mrs o. H. p.
Belmont. who divorced William K.
Vanderbilt. father of the former
duchess, appeared with other rela-
tives before the Diocesan Court and
testified that duress was used in OBJ
tanning the consent of Miss Wander
ough has not been confirmed No COM
ment has been obtainable from Mrs.
Belmont. MRS. Harry Payne Whit
ney, sister of Consuelo, and other
members OF the Vanderbilt family have
refused to be interviewed.
Amazing, Says Manning.
Bishop Manning. at a dedication Of
tho new .ower of st. James Church
yesterday, aid:
"One Of the ways in which our wit
ness for Christ is called for today is in
regard to the sacrednesS and perma-
nence Of marriage.
I'VE have all just now been startled
by the report in the newspapers of the
publication of the marriage Of the
Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.
This report is SO amazing and incred-
ible. the action is so serious and It's
consequences are SO far-reaching that,
while | know a statement will be eX-
pected from me. as bishop of the do
cese In which the marriage took place
and / expect to make such a state
ment in due course--I am waiting for
some fuller information in regard to
the matter.
Il will only say now that in every
situation as 1t comes, standing four
square like the tower of your church.
for Christ and for His truth"
Regarding the law of consent for
marriage. the Catholic Encyclopedia
says:
Those who marry do so by signify
Ing their consent to be man and wife.
Consent Is the very essence of mar
rtage, and it is in consequence of their
free, deliberate consent. that a man
and woman become husband and wife.
The consent must be free and de-
Iberate. Violence or coercion by
fear in degree SO great as to deprive
either party of his freedom to dis
sent would invalidate the consent
given. The fear need not be absolute,
but If 1t be relatively so strong as to
prompt external consent while the
party dissents internally, canon law
considers the requisite freedom want
Ing and the contract null and void"
Married as Episcopalians.
When Marlborough and Consuelo
vanderbilt were married, both were
Episcopalians. After their divorce
the duchess married Col. Balsan, a
Catholic. The duke married Miss
Gladys Deacon of Boston, who was a
bridesmaid at the Marlborough wed
ding. and who is a Catholic
1t was reported before the Marl-
OoiouSH lHaTfldSe Inat 'COnSuelO'S S
father opposed the union, but that
Mrs. Vanderbilt insisted upon it.
From the $2,500.000 given by Mr..
vanderbilt as a marriage settlement,
the duke is still receiving an income
OF about $1,000 per week. The agree
1nent provided that the duke and
duchess We're to receive the income
from the dot. and that on their deaths
the income was to go to their heirs
Nothing concerning Il divorce was
contained in the marriage agreement.
Last April Mrs Belmont, in a let
ter TO Bishop Manning. said, II am
Ftill divorced woman" The letter,
in reply to an appeal for funds for
the Cathedral of st. John the Divine.
Faid that the bishop had refused to
permit her name to appear in
Trinity Church yearbook as head of
church philanthropy. The bishop is
a foe Of divorce.