AUSTRIAN COUNTESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1940, Page 8

AUSTRIAN COUNTESS

INTERNED IN BRITAIN. Countess Edellrud Claudette von Costenza. beautiful 22-year-old titianhaired Austrian refugee, is detained under the Emergency Powers Defence Regulations in Holloway Prison. She disappeared from her luxury flat in South Kensington after saying she hoped to obtain a stage or film engagement in the near future. The Countess gave evidence at the Old Bailey in a case in which an Englishman was found not guilty of bigamously marrying her at Marylebone Register Office in 1937. She assorted that she had made a “marriage of friendship" with the accused man to obtain British nationality. She alleged that she met him in a teashop and paid him £25 or £3O to wed her. These allegations were denied by the accused. A friend of the Countess said to a reporter: “1 have not seen the Countess for about a week. I understood she was expecting to obtain an engagement in a show in the near future, bul when I. telephoned her flat I was told that she had not been seen for two days. I am mystified." Persons arrested under the Defence Regulation 188 are detained for "custodial purposes only." and are allowed numerous privileges. They may wear their own clothes —the Countess lias many lovely coats and dresses—and can have food of their own choice sent in to them. They may also buy I half a bottle of wine a day, and smoking is allowed.