The Cincinnati Enquirer - Tuesday, April 16, 1895

BOYCOTTED,
Even in Wicked Paris,
Are the Associates of the "Æsthete" Oscar Wilde.
M. Blowitz, of the London Times, Must Also Go For Other Reasons.

SPECIAL CABLE TO THE ENQUIRER.

PARIS, April 15. — The Figaro publishes a sensational article about Oscar Wilde. The question of morality is discussed at length, but the writer, who deems proper to omit his signature (an unprecedented thing in the great Paris leading paper), says in very plain words that the Societie des Gens de Lettres (Society of Literary Men) is in duty bound to notify quietly the former associates of the too celebrated Oscar that their presence at the regular meetings of the society is not wanted. The names are not printed, but the initials indicate plainly the identity of several "pornographic" writers and well-known actors. The Syndicate of the Press has taken a hand in the proceedings, and, although no scandal is anticipated, a quiet execution is sure to follow. The syndicate representing the Parisian newspapers is powerful. If the committee decides that So-and-so are to disappear from newspaperdom, there is no need of an expulsion. The parties involved resign at once; otherwise the pavement of the capital is getting too hot for them. They are not even entitled to redress on the field of honor, as they cannot secure seconds to deliver a challenge. The syndicate is kept very busy to-day on that account; but a most serious affair is under consideration. M. de Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of the London Times, wired yesterday to his paper that the French papers were paid by foreign diplomats for services rendered. The syndicate requested him to bring the proofs of his assertion. He refused, and therefore he will have to leave Paris. The measures taken against him by the syndicate are radical, and can be resumed as follows:

1. No railroad transportation.
2. No free admission to the theaters.
3. No information from Government's offices.
4. General boycott from newspapers and newspaper men.
5. No special rates or telegraphic service.
6. Refusal on the part of the Parisian newspaper men to remain in any public place where De Blowitz will be present.

This does not include the chance he runs of being roughly handled in public houses, as the "cafes" of the boulevard of the hotel where he stops. De Blowitz is known to be opposed to duels, a good thing for him, otherwise he would have been challenged a good many times. The committee of the syndicate has decided that his career as a journalist in Paris is closed, and he shall go. Parisian newspaper men are very queer. They will kill each other, as it happened two weeks ago, but the orders of the syndicate are obeyed to the letter. The law of 1849 concerning foreigners residing in france authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expel the London Times correspondent without further ado. The relations between England and France are not very cordial at the present time, and it is doubtful if the Government would resort to such a harsh measure. But if M. de Blowitz does not leave Paris, life will be made so unbearable to him that an order of expulsion is to be expected on the ground only that he can find no lodging in the capital without incurring the danger of being molested, to say the least.