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London, April 5. The case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was brought to a close this morning in a verdict for the defendant. The jury found that the defendant was not guilty of libel, but in a subsidiary verdict declared that the Marquis of Queensberry’s charges […]

LONDON APRIL 5.– The case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was brought to a close this morning in a verdict in favor of the defendant. The jury found not only that the defendant was not guilty of libel, but in a subsidiary verdict declared that the Marquis of Queensberry’s charges were true and had been made for the public good.

The Old Bailey Court room was crowded almost to suffocation this morning when Mr. Carson resumed his speech in behalf of the Marquis of Queensberry. It would be his painful duty, he said, to put upon the witness stand men who would speak freely of the nature of their connection with the plaintiff, Wilde. The ages of these men varied from 18 to 23 years. They were of the class of servants, valets, etc., not belonging to Mr. Wilde’s station in life, not interested in literature or art, yet they addressed this distinguished dramatist by his Christian name, Oscar, he in turn calling them Charlie, Freddie, etc. Mr. Carson said he would produce overwhelming evidence of the abominable immorality of this man Wilde.

Sir Edward Clarke interrupted Mr. Carson and said he had undertaken a great responsibility in defending Wilde against the charges made against him by the Marquis of Queensberry. In regard to the literature which Wilde had published and upon which Mr. Carson had questioned him, he (Sir Edward) had come to the painful conclusion that it could not be expected that the Jury would end a verdict of guilty on the actual words used by the defendant viz., that Wilde was posing as a devotee of unnatural practices. He had consulted with Wilde in the interim of the adjournment of the court, and in order to save the court of painful details connected with the rest of the case, he was prepared to accept a verdict of the jury in regard to Wilde’s literature.

The jury then rendered its verdict as stated above.

When the verdict was rendered the Marquis of Queensberry left the dock amid loud cheers.

Wilde and a companion drove from the Old Bailey to the Holborn Hotel, where they were joined soon afterward by Lord Alfred Douglas and a companion. The four took luncheon together in a private room, Wilde’s carriage remaining in front of the hotel.

The "Evening News" received a letter from Oscar wilde in which he said that it would have been impossible for him to have proved his case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box against his father, which he declined to do, although the son was anxious to do so.

The Marquis of Queensberry’s solicitors set to the Public Prosecutor a copy of the statements of all the witnesses which the defense intended to call to the stand, together with a full report of the trial.

It was learned late this afternoon that a warrant has been issued in the Bow Street Police Court and was granted against Wilde.

In an interview this afternoon the Marquis of Queensberry said to a representative of the United Press:

"I have sent this message to 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.'"

Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public, and the civil officers are not await-ing the authority of the Treasury Department to take the arrests.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested and taken to Scotland Yard.