Compare Documents

LONDON, FRIDAY.The hearing of the action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr. CARSON, continuing his address for the defence, said he hoped he had convinced the jury that the defendant was justified in bringing to a climax the association of his son with Wilde. It would be his painful duty to call several young men to tell their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted on behalf of Wilde. Mr. Carson remarked with much emphasis that it was a wonder the man Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long.

Mr. CARSON was continuing his argument, when Sir E. Clarke and Mr. Mathews retired from the court for a moment. Wilde had up to this point been absent. Sir E. Clarke on returning whispered to Mr. Carson, who resumed his seat.

Sir E. CLARKE then, addressing the Court, said he had to make a statement under the gravest responsibility. Mr. Carson, by saying yesterday that he hoped he had said enough regarding Mr. Wilde’s letters and literature to influence the jury, relieved him from the necessity of dealing in detail with the other issues. He therefore asked on behalf of Mr. Wilde to withdraw from the prosecution and submit to a verdict of "not guilty" in respect to that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Grey" and "Chameleon."

Sir Edward Clarke’s statement produced a profound sensation in court.

Mr. CARSON said the verdict of "not guilty" involved a verdict also of justification.

Justice COLLINS said that if the jury found a verdict of not guilty they would also find that the justification set up was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement was published for the public benefit.

The jury, after a moment’s consideration, returned a verdict of "not guilty" against the Marquis of Queensberry, the foreman adding that what he had written was published for the public benefit.

The JUDGE thereupon ordered the Marquis of Queensberry’s discharge from custody, and certified for costs.

The Marquis, on descending from the dock, was heartily congratulated by his friends, and the court soon rapidly cleared.

The Press Association, on inquiring of Lord Queensberry’s solicitors (Messrs. Russell and Day), is informed that it is not his lordship’s intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, but after the finding of the jury this morning 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, the Hon. Hamilton Cuffe.

ARREST OF OSCAR WILDE.

LONDON, FRIDAY NIGHT.Mr. Oscar Wilde was arrested between six and seven o’clock this evening, and conveyed to Bow Street Police Station, where he arrived at ten past eight.

The arrest was made by Inspector Richards at half-past six, at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane Street, Chelsea, where Mr. Wilde, it appears, drove after leaving the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Mr. Wilde’s visit to the hotel was of a casual character, he being accompanied by two gentlemen. Throughout the day the accused had been closely followed by two officers, and when Inspector Richards entered the hotel and asked for Mr. Wilde, it was stated that he was not staying there. This was virtually correct, but when the Inspector insisted that he was in the establishment and explained the circumstances, he was conducted to a room in the establishment, where Mr. Wilde was engaged with his two friends. The Inspector informed him that he was a police officer, and that he would arrest him, a warrant being out for his arrest. Mr. Wilde made no reply.

The Press Association understands that the charge alleged against Mr. Wilde is that of committing acts of indecency. Having been searched, Mr. Wilde was removed to the cells. Shortly after Mr. Wilde’s arrival at Bow Street a Mr Rosse, a friend of the prisoner, drove up to the station with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Mr. Wilde, but after a short interview with the Inspector on duty, Rosse returned to his cab with the bar, having been refused permission to leave it. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow Street to inquire as to the possibility of the accused being bailed out, but it was explained that the prisoner had been arrested on a warrant for an alleged criminal offence, which admitted of no bail until prisoner had appeared before the magistrate. Lord Douglas appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could the authorities entertain his application. He was respectfully informed that the prisoner had a cell to himself, and had been supplied with a blanket and other requisites to make him as comfortable as the police regulations would allow. It will be Mr. Wilde’s privilege to receive food sent him from a neighbouring hotel if he so desires, pending his transference from the cell in the police station to the cells of the adjoining police court. At ten o’clock to-morrow morning Sir John Bridge, who signed the warrant for his arrest, will investigate the charge against Mr. Wilde, which involves a penal offence.

London, Friday Evening.

The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed today at the Central Criminal Court before Mr. Justice Collins and a common jury.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C. M P; Mr Charles Mathews, and Mr Travers Humphreys are counsel for Mr Oscar Wilde. Mr B. Carson, Q C MP ; Mr G F Gill, and Mr A Gill appeared for the Marquis; and Mr Besley, Q C, and Mr Monckton hold a watching brief for Lord Douglas of Hawick.

The galleries and the body of the Court were again throned by half-past nine o’clock, and until the re-appearance of the learned judge barristers and members of the public spent their time in pursuing the reports in the morning papers of yesterday’s proceedings. From the floor of the building to the ceiling printed broadsheets were everywhere visible, the noisy rustling of the papers mingling with the incessant chatter going as to the prospects of the case. Lord Queensberry had this morning made a slight change in his attire. Entering the dock with a confident air, he threw off a great cost, disclosing an under-garment of a moss-green hue and a neat while silk necktie.

His lordship occupied himself with a newspaper until Mr Justice Collins appeared.

Mr Carson resumed his address for the defence at half-past ten o’clock with the observation that he hoped he had justified Lord Queensberry in bringing to a climax in the way he did the connection between his son and Mr Oscar Wilde. He had to comment upon other evidence which was supplemental to what he might call plain, clear, and admitted facts. It would be his painful task to call these several young men to their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted as procurer for Wilde. It had been said by Wilde in this witness box that he wished to break down social distinctions. That might be a noble and generous instinct, but Wilde had not shown very generous instincts in his treatment of these youths. Declaring much emphasis, "It is a wonder this man Wilde has been tolerated in London society as long as he has," Mr Carson proceeded to details as to the conduct of the Savoy Hotel and elsewhere, which cannot be even indicated, "I regret," proceeded the learned counsel, "to be obliged to put into the witness box that young man Parker, for he has since entered the service of his country, and has had no black mark against him since putting her Majesty’s uniform. He bears an excellent character, and I trust his past experience has been a lesson to him." Mr Carson then characterized Wilde’s behavior in regard to the fisher boy at Worthing as an instance of his disgusting audacity. He picked this boy up on the pier, introduced him to his family, dressed him up as a gentleman, as put public school coolers on his hat. The facts in regard to this boy would not have been accepted had they been proved out of any person’s mouth except that of Wilde himself. They almost passed belief. Mr Carson was continuing his arguments when Sir Edward Clarke and Mr Mathews retired from the court for a moment. The plaintiff, Wilde, had up to this point been absent.

On Sir Edward Clarke returning he gave a whispered intimation to Mr Carson, who thereupon resumed his seat.

Sir E Clarke, then rising, said—My lord, I here interpose to make a statement, which which I do under a feeling of the gravest responsibility. Mr Carson yesterday addressed the jury upon the question of the literature involved in this case, and upon inferences to be drawn from admissions made with regard to the letters of Mr Oscar Wilde. My learned friend began his address this morning by saying that he hoped he had yesterday said enough in dealing with these topics to influence the jury, and to relieve him from the necessity of dealing in detail with the other issues of this case, I feel it must have been present to your lordship’s mind that those representing Mr Oscar Wilde had before them a very terrible anxiety. They could not conceal from themselves that the judgment that might be formed of the literature and of the conduct which had been admitted might not improbably induce the jury to say that when Lord Queensberry used those words " posing as a — " he was using words for which there was a sufficient justification—that as a father he was entitled to use two words under the circumstances, and to be relieved from a criminal charge in respect of the statement. In our view we thought that might not improbably be the result. Upon that part of the case, I and my learned friends, who desire to be associated with me in this matter, have looked forward to a verdict given in favor of the defendant upon that part of this case, and that such a verdict might be interpreted outside as a sufficient justification. With regard to all other points the position in which we stood was that without expecting to obtain a verdict we should be going on from day to day it might be with a large amount of evidence in the investigation of matters of the most appalling character. Under the circumstances I hope your lordship will think I am taking a right course, which I take after communication with Mr Oscar Wilde, in saying that having regard to what has already been addressed by my learned friend, Mr Carson, in respect the matters connected with the literature and the letters. I feel that he could not resist "posing as a —." Under these circumstances, I hope your lordship will not think I am going beyond the bounds of duty, and that I am doing something to avoid what would be a most terrible charge, if I now interpose and say on my behalf of Mr Oscar Wilde that I ask to withdraw from the prosecution, and that I am on his behalf prepared to submit to a verdict of not guilty in respect of that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Grey" and the "Chameleon."

This statement of the son and learned gentlemen produced a profound sensation in the crowded court.

Mr Carson— I do not know, my lord, that I have any right to interfere at this stage in any way except to submit that as far as Lord Queensberry is concerned if there is to be a verdict of not guilty it involves also a verdict of justification. If your lordship takes that view I am satisfied. We must succeed in that plea, and upon it depends whether the course suggested by my learned friend can be adopted. Mr Justice Collins—As to the jury putting any limitation upon the verdict the charge contained in the words "posing as a —" is either justified or it is not justified, the verdict of the jury must be guilty or not guilty, and I understand the prosecution assent to a verdict of not guilty. There can be no limitation, and if the jury assent to the course suggested they will return a verdict of not guilty and they will find that the justification set up was true in substance and I fact, and that it was published for the public benefit.

The jury consulted for a moment, and the foreman, in reply to the usual question, said, "We find the defendant not guilty."

The Clerk of the Court—And do you also find that the plea of justification was true in substance and in fact.

The Foreman — We do, and that is was published for the public benefit.

Mr. Carson at once asked that Lord Queensberry be discharged from custody.

Mr Justice Collins intimated his assent, and, replying to a question from the learned counsel, also certified for.

The Marquis was congratulated as he descended the steps of the dock to the well of the court. The feelings of the public and the bar found vent in a flood of excited conversation, but with the disappearance of the learned judge form the tribunal the scene ended and the court was rapidly cleared.

The London "Evening News" states that it has received four letters from Mr Oscar Wilde, written on the notepaper of a Holborn hotel: "To the Editor—It would be impossible for me to prove my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box against his father. Lord Alfred Douglas was trembly anxious to go into the box, and I would not let him do so. Rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to retire from the case, and to bear on my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my prosecuting Lord Queensberry."

Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, who was accompanied by Detective-Inspector Brockwell, attended at the Bow street, London, this afternoon and said he would like some private conversation with Sir John Bridge. The magistrate granted the request, and it is understood that Mr Lewis intimated that an application might be made during the day with reference to an important case, which is at present engaging much public attention.

The Press Association on inquiry of Lord Queensberry’s solicitors (Russell and Day) is informed that it is not his lordship’s intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, bur after the finding of the jury this morning in the libel action the whole of the documents, with proofs of the evidence upon which the defense had intended to rely, were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, the Hon Hamilton Caffe.

The letter written by Mr Russell, with the accompanying document, is as follows:— "in order that there may be no miscarriage of justice, I think in my duty at once to send you a copy of all our witnesses’ statements, together with a copy of the shorthand notes of the trial."

As was surmised, Wilde was in the precincts of the Old Bailey when the speech for the defence of Lord Queensberry was resumed. It was for the purpose of holding a conference with Wilde that his leading counsel left the court. At the close of the consolation in one of the waiting rooms Wilde hailed a hansom cab and drove away, leaving Sir E Clarke to formally withdraw from the prosecution.

The Press Association says its is understood in connection with this case that a warrant was applied for at five o’clock this afternoon and it is believed that it was granted. The application was to Sir John Bridge in his private room, Mr Charles Russell (son of the Lord Chief Justice) and Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, being in attendance. The officials were naturally reticent on the subject.