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Mr. Oscar Wilde was further cross-examined to-day during the hearing of his charge against the Marquis of Queensberry for criminal libel.

Mr. Wilde admitted a close companionship with the young men introduced by Taylor. He had dined with them in fashionable cafes, and several had stayed for the night as his guests at his hotels; but he denied that there was anything objectionable in the proceedings. He was regardless of the circumstances of the social inferiority of his guests provided that they amused him.

The letters Lord Alfred Douglas had written to his father were read, showing that the writer had threatened to shoot the Marquis if his Lordship attempted to thrash him. In the letters of the Marquis there were references to eminent statesmen, but they were entirely of a political nature.

Mr. Oscar Wilde's case then closed.

Mr. Carson, Q.C, in opening the case for the defence, declared that Mr. Oscar Wilde's protégés were among the most undesirable characters in London. The learned counsel commented on the omission of the prosecution to call Taylor, and affirmed that Mr. Wilde's companionships were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. The literature of the prosecutor alone justified the defendant in the extreme course he had adopted. More than that, Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case for the defence up to the hilt.

In consequence of the evidence tendered being totally unexpected by the counsel for the plaintiff, that gentlemen intimated to the Court that he would withdraw from the case.

The Jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, adding that they considered that the Marquis of Queensberry in publishing the alleged libel had acted in the interests of public morality.

In consequence of the verdict it is expected that Oscar Wilde will be arrested and charged with committing the crimes which have been alleged against him.

Wilde hurriedly left the Court while counsel for the defence was explaining that his literature and letters thoroughly justified the Marquis of Queensberry's plea that Wilde had posed as an immoral person. The learned gentleman declared that the plaintiff had witdrawn because he was afraid to face the appalling evidence which he had indicated would be [f]orthcoming on his client's behalf. Counsel's speech was received with loud cheers.

No warrant for the arrest of Wilde has as yet been applied for, but Mr. Russell, the solicitor to the Marquis of Queensberry, has forwarded the statements of witnesses and notes of the evidence to the Public Prosecutor in order that there may be no miscarriage of justice.

LONDON, April 5.

Oscar Wilde hurriedly left the court while counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry was explaining that the prosecutor's literature and letters justified the plea that Wilde posed as an immoral person. Wilde withdrew in order to avoid the appalling evidence that he feared would be brought against him by the witnesses for the defence.

The verdict of Not guilty was received in court with loud cheers.

No warrant against Oscar Wilde was applied for, but Mr. Russell, solicitor for the Marquis of Queensberry, sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement of the witnesses and notes of the evidence with the object of preventing a miscarriage of justice.

After the trial Oscar Wilde published a letter in which he stated that his reason for abandoning the case was to avoid calling Lord Alfred Douglas as a witness.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Wilde, and the police have detained three essential witnesses in connection with the proceedings which are to be instituted against him.

LATER.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

APRIL 6.

Lord Alfred Douglas and two men remained in conference with Oscar Wilde for several hours after the trial. They lunched in a private room at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, after which Lord Alfred Douglas and Wilde drove to one of the banks. Wilde drew out a large sum of money, and was afterwards lost sight of until he was arrested the same evening in an hotel in Sloane-street.

Lord Alfred Douglas was much distressed at the result of the trial. He is unable to provide bail for Wilde's release.

The Marquis of Queensberry sent Oscar Wilde a message after the trial stating that he would shoot him if he attempted to take Lord Alfred Douglas abroad.

The man Taylor, who introduced to Oscar Wilde the young men mentioned during the trial, was arrested to-day.

Both Oscar Wilde and Taylor were brought up at Bow-street Police Court to-day. Several witnesses gave evidence which went to show that the charge now preferred against Wilde can be proved up to tho hilt. It was also shown that Taylor acted as an intermediary for Wilde.

Oscar Wilde's name has been withdrawn from the playbills at the London and American theatres, where Wilde's dramas, "An Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" are being played.

APRIL 7.

Paris is petrified in consequence of the exposures in the Oscar Wilde case.

Oscar Wilde has been remanded until Thursday. He has not yet been bailed out.