FRANCE: Senator Maurice

Threats and rumors of a sensational libel suit refocussed French attention last week on one of the most spectacular figures in the National Assembly, Baron Maurice de Rothschild, Senator of France.

Bald, paunchy and sallow, Baron Maurice is a grandson of James Rothschild, clever, redheaded Frankfort Jew who founded the French branch of his House, backed the governments of Louis Philippe and Napoleon III and was bitterly assailed in French Republican papers as “Rothschild I, King of the Jews.”

The brilliance of Grandson Maurice centres in his clothes, which are as the sun in splendor. At the recent wedding of his English cousin Anthony he startled smartchart editors by appearing in mustard yellow trousers and a bright blue tailcoat with brass buttons. Baron Maurice’s collection of pajamas is the envy of many, and his beach robes are one of the established sights of Deauville. He has been divorced, “for mental cruelty” his reputatation with women is peculiar. He was cited as co-respondent (together with Augustus John, the British painter) in the famed Gough divorce case in London. He once fought a duel over a horse, refused to fight another duel with Jeweler Cartier for a fancied insult. He was sued last year for accidentally peppering a fellow grouse-shooter with birdshot.

Not so long ago he was ignominiously unseated from the Assembly for bribery in elections: free drinks on election day, free uniforms for the local fire brigade, free cows for peasants of questionable loyalty. In the recent Senatorial elections Senator-Baron Maurice was more cautious. He bought no cows, contented himself with brilliantly elaborate invective against his unfortunate opponent, one Paul Hoeffler.

Last week the defeated candidate sought revenge, demanded that the Chamber of Deputies lift Parliamentary immunity from incorrigible Senator Maurice, so that he, Paul Hoeffler, could bring suit for gross libel and defamation of character. Sure of spicy details to come, Senators and Deputies angled eagerly for seats on the committee appointed to investigate the charges.