File No. 851.4054/35
The French Chargé ( De Chambrun ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30.]
Mr. Secretary of State: My Government, to which I did not fail to forward the bill relative to marriages of American soldiers in France which the Department of State intended to introduce into the Federal Congress, informs me that it meets with its approval.
The French authorities, however, deem it necessary that the affidavit provided by article 4 shall actually set forth all the pertinent particulars of the affiant’s civil status and mention all the cases of inability to contract marriage in regard to which the express guarantee under oath is required; and shall in particular give a statement of previous marriages, as the Minister of Justice directed the mayors to demand, in such cases, and copy of the decree of divorce.
The French authorities would further wish that facilities (by the agency of Government attorneys, for instance) be granted if possible to French women in obtaining through the American courts the damages to which they may be entitled when they consented to marry a man who made a false declaration as to his ability to contract a marriage.
Be pleased to accept [etc.]