The West Australian - Thursday, May 16, 1895

The English files which came to hand yesterday give further particulars of the trial of John Sholto Douglas, Marquis of Queensberry, for alleged libel upon Mr. Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wilde. The case ended, as has been already stated in these columns, in a verdict of "Not guilty."

In re-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, Wilde said it was from certain letters produced that he gathered that Lord Queensberry objected to his friendship with Lord Alfred Douglas. The letters were as follows: - "Carter's Hotel, Albemarle street, Sunday, April 1, 1984[sic]. Alfred, - It is extremely painful to me to have to write to you in this strain. I must, but please understand I decline to receive any answers from you in writing in return. Any letters coming under a disguised handwriting, or in other people's, if opened by mistake, will be put in the fire unread. After your previous hysterical impertinent ones I refuse to be annoyed with such, and must ask you if you have anything to say to come here and say it in person. Firstly, am I to understand that having left Oxford, as you did, with discredit to yourself, the reasons of which were fully explained to me by your tutor, you now intend to loaf and loll about and do nothing? All the time you were wasting at Oxford I was put off with the assurance that you were eventually to go into the Civil Service or to the Foreign Office, and then I was put off by an assurance of your going to the Bar. It appears to me you intend to do nothing; in fact the important valuable time has passed, and it seems you are too late now for any profession. I utterly decline to supply you, however, with sufficient funds just to enable you to loaf. You are preparing a wretched future for yourself, and it would be most cruel and wrong of me to encourage you in this. Do you seriously intend to make no attempt to help yourself, and to go on with your present life, doing nothing? Secondly, I come to the more painful part of this letter - your infamous intimacy with this man Wilde. It must either cease or I will disown you and stop all money supplies, and if necessary I will go to him personally and tell him so. Also, he shall have a bit of my mind. I am not going to try and analyse this intimacy, and I make no accusation, but to my mind to pose as a thing is as bad as the real thing... I hear on good authority, but this may be false, that his wife is petitioning to divorce him. Is this true, or do you know of it? If so, what is to be your position, going about as you do with him." The letter was signed, "Your disgusted so-called father, QUEENSBERRY."

To this Lord Alfred Douglas telegraphed to his father: "What a funny little man you are! -ALFRED DOUGLAS." Lord Queensberry's next letter to Lord Alfred was in these terms: - "You impertinent little jackanapes, I request you will not send me such messages through the telegraph, and if you come to me with any of your impertinence I will give you the thrashing you richly deserve. The only excuse for you is that you must be crazy. I heard from a man the other day who was at Oxford with you that that was your reputation there, which accounts for a good deal that has happened. All I can say is if I catch you with that man again I will make a public scandal in a way you little dream of. It is already a suppressed one. I prefer an open one, and, at any rate, I shall be no longer blamed for allowing such a state of things to go on. Unless this acquaintance ceases I shall carry out my threat and stop all supplies, and if you are not going to make any attempt to do something I shall certainly cut you down to a mere pittance, so you know what you are to expect. -QUEENSBERRY."

A third letter was written to Mr. A. Montgomery, the father of the Marchioness of Queensberry, who had obtained a divorce from the Marquis, in which, dating from Maidenhead, he said: - "Sir, - I have changed my mind, and, as I am not at all well, having been very much upset by what has happened the last ten days, I do not see why I should come dancing attendance upon you... Your daughter is the person who is supporting my son to defy me. She won't write, but she is now telegraphing on the subject to me. Last night, after hearing from you, I received a very quibbling, prevaricating sort of message from her, saying the boy denied having been at the Savoy for the last year, or with Oscar Wilde at all. As a matter of fact he did, and there has been a scandal. I am told they were warned off, but the proprietor would not admit this. This hideous scandal has been going on for years. Your daughter must be mad in the way she is behaving. She evidently wants to make out I want to make out a case against my son. It is nothing of the kind. I have made out a case against Oscar Wilde, and I have to his face accused him of it... It now lies in the hands of these two whether they will further defy me. Your daughter appears to me now to be encouraging them to do so, although she can hardly intend this. I don't believe Wilde will now dare defy me. He plainly showed the white feather the other day when I tackled him - a damned cur and coward of the Rosebery type. As for this so-called son of mine, I will have nothing to do with him. He may starve as far as I am concerned after his behaviour to me. His mother may support him, but she shan't do that here in London with this awful scandal going on. But your daughter's conduct is outrageous, and I am now fully convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone-Royal insult that came to me through my other son, that she worked that, I thought it was you... It shall be known some day by all that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen, which she knows, which makes her as bad as him and Gladstone, but also made a life-long quarrel between my son and I." Witness stated there was no truth whatever in the statement in Lord Queensberry's letter, that witness's wife was going to petition for a divorce. Mr. Carson, Q.C., read the following postcard, addressed by Lord A. Douglas to Lord Queensberry: - "As you return my letters unopened, I am obliged to write on a postcard. I write to inform you that I treat your absurd threats with absolute indifference. Ever since your exhibition at O.W.'s house I have made a point of appearing with him at many public restaurants, such as the Berkeley, Willis's Rooms, the Café Royal, etc., and I shall continue to go to any of these places whenever I choose and with whom I choose. I am of age, and my own master. You have disowned me at least a dozen times, and have very meanly deprived me of money. You have, therefore, no right over me, either legal or moral. If O.W. was to prosecute you in the Criminal Court for libel you would get seven years' penal servitude for your outrageous libels. Much as I detest you I am anxious to avoid this for the sake of the family; but if you try to assault me I shall defend myself with a loaded revolver, which I always carry; and if I shoot you, or if he shoots you, we should be completely justified, as we would be acting in self-defence against a violent and dangerous rough, and I think if you were dead not many people would miss you. -A.D."

After conferring briefly with his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, at the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning, April 5, Mr. Oscar Wilde proceeded, in company with Lord A. Douglas and two other men, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. The party remained in conference in a private room until one o'clock, when they partook of luncheon. At a quarter past two the four men drove off in Mr. Wilde's brougham, which had been waiting outside the hotel for a considerable time. Their destination was a bank in St. James', where a large sum of money was drawn out. After the finding of the jury in the libel action the whole of the documents, with proofs of the evidence upon which the defence had intended to rely, were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor. Later in the day Mr. C.F. Gill, Mr. Angus Lewis, and Mr. Charles Russell waited upon Sir John Bridge at Bow-street and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Oscar Wilde, who was subsequently arrested by Inspector Richards at an hotel in Sloane-street. Mr. Wilde had with him two friends. The party at once drove to Scotland Yard to meet Inspector Brockwell, who had the warrant. The warrant was read to the prisoner, who made no reply; after some delay he was brought to Bow street. Mr. Wilde was the first to alight and walked straight into the station, followed by the detectives. He did not appear to be at all affected by the circumstances of his position. He was at once placed in the dock, and stood there with his hands in his pockets while the charge was taken down by Inspector Digby. When the charge had been entered Mr. Wilde was taken to the cells. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow-street in order to see whether he could bail out Mr. Wilde, and appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could his application be entertained. He then offered to procure extra comforts for the prisoner, but this also was not allowed by the officer on duty. At the same police court on Saturday, April 6th, Oscar Wilde, described as a gentleman, was placed in the dock, before Sir John Bridge, charged with offences under the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. Mr. C.F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, prosecuted. At the commencement of the hearing the prisoner was defended by Mr. C.O. Humphreys, the solicitor who conducted the proceedings at the police court when the Marquis of Queensberry was prosecuted by Wilde for libel. At a later stage the prisoner was represented by Mr. Travers Humphreys. Mr. Gill said that the precise nature of the charges he should ask the magistrate to commit Wilde upon, would depend on the evidence disclosed on the depositions after the matter had been thoroughly inquired into. The case he proposed to proceed with in the first instance related to Wilde's conduct with regard to a young man named Charles Parker. Wilde would also be charged with conspiring with Alfred Taylor. Mr. Gill then explained the circumstances under which Parker was brought into contact with Wilde. Parker was a valet out of place. He had a brother named William Parker, who was a groom. At the end of February or the beginning of March the brothers went to the St. James' Restaurant. They were there approached by Taylor. He supplied them with drink, and got them to write down their names and addresses. He then gave his own address, and said that Oscar Wilde was a man who would give them money. After one or two interviews between Taylor and the lads, the prisoner Wilde being in communication with him by telegraph, they were invited to go to Kettner's Restaurant. They went, accompanied by Taylor. When they arrived they were shown into a private room, where dinner was laid for four. Soon afterwards the prisoner arrived, and the boys were entertained to a sumptuous repast provided by him. After dinner Wilde took Charles Parker to the Savoy Hotel, where he had a suite of rooms. He plied the lad with drink, and subsequently gave him £2. They met again on several other occasions. Wilde gave the youth money, a gold ring, and a silver cigarette case. There were, counsel added, a number of cases against the prisoner. Wilde had already had an opportunity of explaining these matters, and if he chose, he could get into the witness-box and give any explanation he liked. It was an unpleasant case, but it was one of enormous importance. It was of enormous importance to show that people who committed these offences were bound to be brought to justice. Charles Parker was the first witness. Whilst he was giving evidence, Alfred Taylor, alluded to by Mr. Gill in his opening statement, was placed in the dock and charged with conspiring with Oscar Wilde. Parker, in the course of his further evidence, said that on several occasions he visited Wilde at the Savoy Hotel and had champagne and chicken. Wilde gave him money to buy clothes with and made him other presents. The last time he saw Wilde the latter, who was in a cab in Trafalgar Square, told him he was looking as pretty as ever. William Parker, brother of the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence. Mrs. Ellen Grant, Little College-street, Westminster, proved that Taylor occupied rooms there, for which he paid £3 a month. Daylight was always excluded from the rooms. She understood that Taylor was a bachelor. She had heard him speak of "Oscar," but she had never seen Wilde. There were a number of visitors. Alfred Wood, formerly a clerk, spoke of his acquaintance with Wilde, and said he went to America to get rid of "these people" - that was, the people who went to Taylor's tea parties. Sidney Arthur Mavor and some other witnesses were then examined, and the case was adjourned till next day. Mr. Travers Humphreys applied for bail for Wilde on the ground that he knew the warrant was being applied for on Friday afternoon, but made no attempt to leave London. He had no intention of leaving the country, and he was the only person who could properly instruct solicitor and counsel. Sir John Bridge said it was not a case for bail, and the prisoners were removed in custody.

The Central News says: - "Lord Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended on April 5th he sent this message to Mr. Wilde: - "If the country allows you to leave all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you."

San Francisco Chronicle - Sunday, April 7, 1895

NEW YORK, April 6. - A cable special from the Sun from London says: Most observers of the English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, loathing and anger which the revelations in connection with the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over the nation and by its very violence restore confidence in human nature. Not until to-day, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has been doing deadly work.

Already there are signs that the popular revenge, and the reformers will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent, but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.

The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad, every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified. To-day's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.

Regarding the methods which society, now so thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie, which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.

The Government promptly began to-day by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as the leader of this infamous band. Like others of his class the development of his mania has followed sudden accession of wealth and luxury. His father, who was prominent in the city and was once close to the Lord Mayor’s chair, left him an immense fortune, which he used to gratify every physical appetite.

He spent £60,000 furnishing his house, which has been the headquarters of this class of sensualists. The victims of himself and his crew were dazzled by the oriental luxuries of the place. One of the features of the drawing-room, to which daylight is never admitted, is a marble fountain distributing perfume instead of water. The police searched the whole place yesterday.

Both Wilde and Taylor were committed for trial without bail at the Bow-street Court to-day, after an overwhelming mass of revolting evidence had been given by the victims. Prison life is expected to have an immediate effect on men who are accustomed to every luxury and indulgence, and Wilde is much depressed after a night's confinement.

The police have reason to believe that to-day's exposure is already causing a panic-stricken exodus of many persons from England, such as followed the Cleveland-street scandal a few years ago. There are some who are not unknown in society among them. The effect of the Wilde case has been intensified in the public mind by the trial of Lord Russell's matrimonial suit at the same time. The same charge is at the basis of this case, and if it were not overshadowed by the Wilde-Queensberry scandal it would have made a great sensation.

IN THE COURTROOM. Some Very Strong Evidence Against Oscar Wilde.

LONDON, April 6. - Crowds besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the Police Court was filled with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing through the crowd was one good-looking, middle-aged woman.

All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday followed close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry. C. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department.

Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying his silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners’ dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner that he displayed on the witness-stand in the Old Bailey.

Gill said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting boys to terrible crimes, and actually committing acts of gross indecency. The prosecutor then related how, in 1893, when Wilde was staying at the Savoy Hotel, Alfred Taylor, who was arrested to-day, acted as procurer for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor’s house.

Continuing, Gill said the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approached a young man named Parker, a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom. Taylor, it was stated, told them how money could be made by going with gentlemen, and said that Wilde was a man who gave much money to youths and men. They finally consented, and it was arranged that they should be introduced to Wilde at a dinner he would give in a private room at Kittner's restaurant.

After this dinner Wilde announced to Taylor, who was also present, that Charles Parker was the boy for him, and he took the latter to the Savoy Hotel, where he committed a crime.

Parker was called to the stand, but the proceedings were interrupted by an official announcing that Taylor had been arrested. A few moments later Taylor was brought into court and placed in the dock beside Wilde, who nodded to him.

Parker gave the most minute details of his intimacy with Wilde. He testified that he visited Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, at the Albemarle, at Wilde’s chambers and at other addresses almost daily. While Parker was giving this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in a raid in 1894 in a house in Fitzroy square, but he claimed that he had since abandoned his evil life.

Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, as the evidence had taken them by surprise.

Parker was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey.

The woman previously referred to as having entered the courtroom early this morning was the next witness. She gave the name of Mrs. Grant, and said she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by young men.

Mrs. Grant was asked to state the ages of the young men. She replied that many were 15 and upward. Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor’s rooms. She replied she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridge said quietly: "Wilde, stand up."

Wilde arose, but the witness was still unable to recognize him, but, replying to counsel’s questions, said she remembered Taylor addressed one visitor as "Oscar."

Mrs. Grant said Taylor's rooms were furnished well and were highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately. The witness also said that boys stayed all night with him. She testified that before Taylor left her house the sergeant of police went to his apartment and secretly watched Taylor's proceedings.

Sir John Bridge asked Taylor if he desired to ask the witness any questions. The prisoner replied, "Not yet."

Alfred Woods, a nice-looking young man, was then called to the stand. He testified that Taylor introduced him to Wilde in 1893, and he committed indecencies at Wilde's own house while the latter's family was away. The witness added that he was intoxicated at the time, as Wilde had previously given him champagne, whiskey and hock.

Continuing, Woods said Wilde afterward gave him a great deal of money and a watch and chain. The witness also said that soon after he told Taylor he "wanted to get away from Wilde and people like him."

Counsel, interrupting, said: "Let us deal with the case of Wilde alone; but I believe there were other people at the gatherings."

Witness added: "Yes, one or two of them have left the country." The witness said that Taylor said he wanted to go to America, whereupon Wilde asked to have certain letters returned to him. When he received these letters Wilde gave the witness £35. Witness Woods then went to America.

Sidney Hoover, a good-looking youth, was the next witness. Up on the witness-stand he testified that he met Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas at Taylor’s rooms.

A masseur at the Savoy testified he once saw a youth between 16 and 18 years old in Wilde's bedroom.

Oscar Wilde's brother entered the courtroom at this stage of the proceedings and listened to the remainder of the evidence from the back of the room.

After the chambermaid of the Savoy Hotel had given some evidence similar to that of the masseur, Sir John Bridge remanded Wilde until next Thursday. Counsel asked that Wilde be released on bail, but the magistrate denied the request. Counsel persisted, saying he could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridge replied, "This is not a case for bail at all."

GOSSIP ABOUT THE CASE. Wilde Prosecuted by a College Class- mate - Effect on His Plays.

LONDON, April 6. - Naturally the Wilde disclosures continue to be the absorbing topic of conversation at the clubs. Edward M. Carson, Q.C. and M.P., who so ably and relentlessly conducted the case for the Marquis of Queensberry, was a classmate of Oscar Wilde at Trinity College, Dublin. The presiding Judge, Justice Collins, is also an Irishman.

Wilde has been making immense sums of money lately out of his plays and books. His plays are now running at two London theaters and many companies are playing them in the provinces. Of course in future no one will accept his plays.

George Alexander, proprietor and manager of the St. James Theater, stated last night that if it were not for the fact that the withdrawal of Wilde’s play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," would throw 120 persons out of employment, he would at once stop it. Therefore, unless the theater-going public manifests its displeasure of the author by refusing to witness his works, the play at the St. James will be continued as usual.

Another of Wilde’s plays which is now running at the Haymarket Theater will, after this week, be transferred to the Criterion. The author’s name in both cases will be omitted from the bills and advertisements in future.

Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieves absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Rev. Archibald Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges against Wilde."

Taylor was arrested to-day and preserved his cheerful demeanor and asked the detective who took him into custody what the sentence was likely to be.

The Sun of this city says that another sensational arrest is possible before Thursday next, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought to Bow-street Police Court on remand.

The Marquis of Queensberry has authorized the Globe to deny that there is any truth in the story cable to the United Press that he had written to Oscar Wilde after the trial, saying: "If the country allows you to leave all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you, I shall follow you wherever you go and shoot you."

Effect of the Trial in This Country.

NEW YORK, April 6.- Manager Daniel Frohman of the Lyceum Theater, announces that in consequence of the London scandal, after this week he will withdraw Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," now running at his house.

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