LADY ASTOR.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16884, 12 July 1920, Page 7

LADY ASTOR.

"JOHN BULL'S" ATTACK

(By Cr.b!o—Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and Jf.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received Ju'.v 11th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 10

Lady Astor made a lengthy speech in justification of her attitude regarding the Divorce Bill at the annual meeting ot the Unionist Association at Plymouth. Lord Astor was present.

When she referred to the attacks ! made in "John Bull,'' there were inan> | (Ties of "'We don't want to hear it. Tear it up,"' but Lady Astor completed, the reading of the document. Speaking with considerable emotion, she snid : When the streets of London were flooded with placards bearing the words "Lady Astor's divorce" many believed a divorce was impending between myself and Lord Astor. IteaLy, the events are seventeen years olu. Mv divorce in 1903 was entirely due to my husband's misconduct becoming so open thtt there was no alternative lett hut to dissolve our marriage. Previously I preferred a separation, having custody of my child. This is tfie whole history of my early sorrow % There are certain influences, which often lead to corruption in politics, trying to undermine my position. A resolution of confidence in Lady Astor was passed with cheers. [A message received on May sth said: Mr Horatio Bottomley, M.P., made a sensational revelation in hts paper, "John Bull," and exhibited posters in Londcn, reading "Lady Astor's divorce." Mir Bottomley's article <iives details of divorce proceedings in 1903, in the State of Virginia, Viihich were carried through with great se're-y. The first ground alleged Robert Gould Shaw's desertion, and subsequently statutory grounds were included in her petition. Mr Bottomley points out in view of this secret divorce, that Lady Astor was inconsistent in her recent speech in House of Commons on the Divorce Bill, in which she deprecated easier divorce on the ground that women in tho United States had not gained anything by it. She added: "I think the world is too loose altogether. We need tightening up." Mr Bottomlev's article describes Lady Astor as "a hypocrite of the first water." The article added: "Though Lady Astor is described as Shaw's widow in 'Burke's Peerage' and 'Who's Who,' her first husband is still alive in Now York." Members of the House of Commons loudly cheered Lady Astor on her entering the House to-day. Mr Bottomley was sitting a few seats away.]