Compare Documents

London, April 4– The prosecution in the libel suit brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was concluded to-day, after Wilde has been under cross examination yesterday and to-day altogether for six hours. He was briefly put under the redirect by his counsel before resting his case. In opening for the defense, Mr. Carson, counsel for the marquis, bitterly arraigned Wilde and stated the nature of the defense which will be an attempt to prove the charges which Queensberry made in the libel alleged. Most of the London papers are printing the testimony of the suit almost verbatim. The St. James Gazette is an exception and had taken a stand editorially against such publication.

During the course of his remarks in opening the defense, Mr. Carson alluded in complimentary terms in the course of Mr. Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Mr. Beerbohn Tree."

Mr. Carson, in reply, remarked, "Nor should I do so, my lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from Mr. Tree to-day, asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Every one understands that Mr. Tree’s connection with the case is in every way honorable and praiseworthy." said the justice, in conclusion.

Wilde returned to the court room for a few minutes before adjournment. Among the letter produced in court and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying that Wilde was "a cur and a coward." Such was the interest taken in the proceedings that the services of an extra force of police were required outside the Old Bailey in order to disperse the large crowds which assembled in the neighborhoood in order to see the principals in this notorious case.

London, April 4. - There was unabated interest today at the Old Bailey in the taking of testimony on the second day of the trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. The plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took his seat at the table reserved for solicitors. The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident. Several of his friends shook the defendant's hand as he entered the dock.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness-stand, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently. He also lost his temper. Mr. Carson's questions were pitiless. Mr. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, after having lasted, including the time of yesterday, over six hours.

Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, then began the examination of his client by putting in certain letters of the Marquis of Queensberry, in which he called his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease his acquaintance with the plaintiff, saying:

"I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter Lord Alfred Douglas replied by telegraph to his father, saying:

"What a funny little man you are."

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed and Dr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court-room as soon as the counsel for defendant began to speak. Lord Alfred Douglas was present in the court for a short time during the morning, but did not return in the afternoon.

The speech of Mr. Carson for the defense lasted until the court adjourned at 5 p. m. and was not finished at that hour. He reviewed the evidence point by point, denounced Wilde, and said the witnesses he would produce would prove to the jury beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff. Furing the course of his remarks Mr. Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said:

"There is no occasion to mention the name of Beerbohm Tree."

Mr. Carson, in reply, remarked:

"Nor should I do so, my Lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from him today asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Everyone understands that Mr. Tree's connection with the case is in every way honorable and praiseworthy," said the Justice in conclusion.

Wilde returned to the court-room a few minutes before adjournment.

Among the letters produced and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying Wilde was "a cur and a coward."