New Britain herald., 1930-02-04
Leeds and Former Wife Friendly;
 Aftectionate Farewells Belle Any ps Resentment as Result of Divorce
Princess Xenia and cx- Mate Kiss Each Other Goodbye-Deny Any h. tention to Remarry - Hearing Before Referee Not Secret"

New York, Feb. 4-tP)-An af- fectionatc meeting of William E.. Leeds, Jr., and his divorced wife, the former Princess Ncnia of Rus s1a, at which they insisted they in tended to remain good friends was described in today's New York American, They met in the Leeds Greenwich Village residence, issu- cd a statement kissed and parted calling each other Billy" and Tommy"
 This is the statement:
 "Thc divorce judgment which has been filed was not caused by any quarrcls or disagreement. We re- main perfectly good friends and eX- poet to remain so despite the di- Norce.
 The financial arrangements were matter of private agreement and the custody of the only child of the marriage was given to the mother, with full right Of visitation to the father.
 Princess to Divide Time
 "The princess intends to divide her time between this country and Europe, but the daughter will be brought up and educated in Amer iCa.
 We omphatically deny the di- vorce was caused by wish on the part of either of us to remarry. Any rumors to the contrary are ab- solutely false.
 "The Princess Nenia has in no way altered her attitude toward Anastasia, and her espousal of Anastasia's cause was with full knowledge of NIr. Leeds"
 After writing the statement in the Leeds town house in Washington News, just off Washington Square, Mr. Leeds and his former wife part cd with kisses and climbed over WaShtubs in the basement to leave by rear window 10 avoid reporters and camcramcn.
 So long, Tommy, I'll sec you soon,' was Mir, Leeds parting. The former princess echoed the words.
 The person referred to in the statement as Anastasia is the wom- an for whom the claim is made that she is the Princess Anastasia. daugh- fer of the late Czar Nicholas of Rus Sia. who it is claimed escaped the fate of other members of the im- pcrial family. She came to this country as the guest of Mrs. Leeds.
 "Must Corrcct' News
 Looking at headlines the princess remarked, Billy, we simply must say something to correct these aw- ful things. They're so ridiculous"
 'Ycs. dear" answered Billy. and now let's see, how'll we word it."
 They were at the task when Mrs. Leeds counsel arrived. He entered via q cellar window, as had the couple, and the Americans reporter before him. The lawyer was given the task of completing the state- mcnt.
 That's a wonderful kid, all right" Leeds remarked to the re- porter when his former wife had left.
 The American says that the CO., respondent in the divorce papers vas designated only as "Jane Doe"
 Henry A. Uterhart, counsel for Mrs Leeds issued a statement in which he asserted there had been no mystery in the divorce but that it had taken the usual course.
 Referee Not Associate
 He denied that Percy Stoddart who was named as referee. was con- ncCted with him in business. He said they merely have adjoining Of fees.
 During my 35 years at the bar this has been the least mysterious and most straightforward divorce ease that has come 10 my notice," he said.
 "The parties remain perfectly good friends although the marriage has been dissolved"
 Tho papers in the case have been sealed.