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LONDON, April 6. - Most all observers of English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of a nation to such a pitch of intensity as is today manifesting itself in all classes.

The horror, the loathing, the 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 a nation, and by its very violence restore confidence in human nature.

Not until today, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has long been doing deadly work. Already there are signs that the popular revenge and reform will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work.

The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed, and 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. It is the first time your correspondent has ever seen a manifestation of this emotion among them. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is the 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 and every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified.

Today's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.

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

They promptly began today by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as a leader of this infamous band. His father, who was a prominent city official, and once close to the lord mayor’s chair, left him an immense fortune, which he has used to gratify every appetite. He spent $60,000 furnishing a house which is the headquarters of his coterie of friends.

The victims of himself and 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 in Bow st today, 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 was much depressed after his night's confinement.

The police have reason to believe that today's exposure is already causing a panic-stricken exodus of many persons from England, such as followed the Cleveland st scandal a few years ago, and there are some who are not unknown to society among them.

Archibald Edward Douglas, brother of the marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter repudiating the statement made today in the course of an interview by Lord Douglas of Hawich, eldest living son of the marquis, to the effect that no member of the family except his father believes the charges against Wilde. In refutation of this statement the writer of the letter says: "My mother, my sister and myself believe the allegations made against Oscar Wilde."

The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the criminal law amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each continuation.

Wilde and Taylor were remanded in custody. A request was made that the prisoners be admitted to bail, but bail was refused.

London, April 6 — Oscar Wilde’s friend Taylor was arrested and taken to the Bow Street Police Station this morning.

Oscar Wilde was arraigned before a Magistrate this morning and charged with inciting young men to commit a foul crime and also with having actually committed the crime himself.

When Wilde was arraigned in the Bow Street Police Station this morning, Alfred Taylor was also placed in the prisoner’s dock, charged with being accessory to Wilde’s crimes. As Taylor stepped into the dock, Wilde smilingly recognized him. Taylor is a man of medium size, with strong features and a fair complexion.

Charles Parker, 19 years of age, was the first witness examined. He gave in detail the particulars of his introduction to Wilde and Taylor and stated that the latter said Wilde was « good for money ». Parker testified that he had frequently dined with Wilde at various restaurants, and detailed the conversation between them on those occasions. He also told of visits to the Savoy hotel with Wilde and of meeting Wilde at his chambers in St. James Palace. He made frequent visits to the latter place. Parker described the conduct of himself and Wilde at these meetings and was aware that he had received money and other presents upon almost every occasion. The story told by Parker, if true, proves the case of the Treasury against Wilde.

Counsel for Wilde and Taylor reserved the right to cross-examine Parker.

Wm. Parler, a brother of the first witness called, was placed on the stand and confirmed the story of the first meeting between his brother and Wilde in March, 1893.

Charles Parker was bound over in the sum of £85 to give evidence in the Old Bailey proceedings.

The landlady of the house in which Taylor lodged was next examined and gave testimony regarding the youths who attended the tea parties given by Taylor. She said she had heard Taylor address somebody as Oscar, but did not recognize Wilde as being one of her lodger’s visitors.

The next witness was a youth named Maver, who absolutely denied that he had been guilty of any misconduct with Wilde and also denied positively that the had admitted to the Marquis of Queensberry or the latter’s solliciter that there had been anything wrong in his relations with Wilde.

Wilde and Taylor were demanded in Court today. A request was made that the prisoners be admitted to bail, but bail was refused.

Although Oscar Wilde is languishing in jail as a criminal without bail on a heinous charge, still he has a number of influential friends who are zealous of his defense, notwithstanding that they are intimate enough with him to know most of his secret private life. Lord Douglas of Hawick, second and eldest living son of the Marquis of Queensberry, is one of them. He is altogether the manliest looking of the family. Before the death of his eldest brother, Viscount Drumlanrig, he was well and favorably known as plain Percy Douglas. He had an unsmirched reputation and entirely differs in every respect from his effeminate younger brother, Lord Alfred Douglas. Since his return from Australia last fall, Lord Douglas of Hawick has been the almost constant associate of Oscar Wilde. In an interview this afternoon, he said that every one of his family, except his father, had refused to believe the accusation against Wilde. He himself, he said, was willing at any time to go up on the witness stand in Wilde’s behalf and he was vehement in his denunciation of Wilde’s counsel for having withdrawn from the suit.

The maximum penalty for the crime with which Wilde is charged is life imprisonment, and the minimum 20 years; until 1894, when the law was modified, the penalty for the offence was death. One thing is certain, however, that no matter what may be the outcome of the case, whether Wilde does free or is sent to prison, the death knell of Wilde has been rung and the corpse if prepared for burial.

The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the result of Wilde’s prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry, says:— "This cave proves that it is untrue to say that art has noting to do with morality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."

Archibald Edward Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter repudiating a statement made yesterday in the course of an interview by Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest living son of the Marquis, to the effect that no member of his family except his father believes the charges against Wilde. In refutation of this statement the writer of the letter says:— "My mother, my sister and myself believe all the allegations against Oscar Wilde."

The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum of penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.

New York, April 6 — A London special to the Sun says — "The career of Oscar Wilde has ended in the blackest of infamy. All London is saying it is a pity the miserable creature had not sufficient pluck to blow out his brains before the police seized him and put him behind bolts and bars to await the punishment for the crimes of which he is already proved guilty. The charge against Wilde, for some reason not explained, is not felony but misdemeanor, and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labor, but the Grand Jury may change the indictment to a more serious offence. He must remain in jail until this trial takes place in May, for the Magistrate is certain to refuse to accept bail. The cynical and supercilious bravado which Wilde manifested during the trial changed when he found himself in custody. He listened in silence to the reading of the warrant. He had been aware for an hour or two that escape was impossible, for detectives had been closely following him. He refused to say a word to the officers or others. He asked at the police station for a separate cell and that his valet be allowed to bring him his portmanteau. The police refused all requests and locked him up like an ordinary prisoner. It is impossible to describe the sensation which the case has created in London. The effect of the exposure and of the exemplary punishment which is sure to follow in Wilde’s case, will be far reaching. It comes none too soon. The growth of this evil among certain classes of this country is appalling. The police and others are prepared to make fearful revealings as soon as it becomes evident that no other means will suffice to check and destroy the vice which undermined the civilization of the ancient Romans.

The Herald’s London special says:— Detectives have been scouring the city in search of the man Taylor, for whom a warrant has already been signed. He has been under police surveillance for some time, but was unluckily allowed to slip away one morning, and has not been seen since. It is not expected, whoever, that he has left the city.

The Marquis of Queensberry is receiving hundreds of congratulatory telegrams and letters.

In an interview he said:— "I think I have done my duty, not only to my family and myself but also to the community. It has cost me £1200 and now if the law of England don’t step in I must make my own law. I have sent a message to this creature Wilde to the effect that if he chooses to leave the country I, for one, shall not lift a finger to stay him, but he must distinctly understand that if he takes my son with him I shall follow him and shoot him like a dog, but I think he ought not to be allowed to leave the country. I think he ought to be placed where he can ruin no more young men. For the part I have taken myself in this matter I can only say that I have acted absolutely and entirely from a sense of duty. Mane of my friends said, as many of these telegrams received also say, that I am to be commended for my pluck. I do not see that pluck had anything to do with it. I do not see that I could have acted otherwise than I have done. I have preserved my self-respect. I may tell you that the full measure of the man’s baseness was not revealed to me until after my own arrest at his instance. Then the evidence which accumulated and the voluntary confessions which were made to us, showed us a depth of immorality which is almost incredible."

The World’s London special says:— If Oscar Wilde’s indifference during the revelations in Court today was assumed, it was an excellence piece of acting. It seems certain that he will be convicted. The minimum penalty for the offence with which he is charged is ten years’ imprisonment, the maximum punishment is penal servitude for life. There will be a demand for an exemplary sentence, as public sentiment is aroused against the group to which he belongs. Other prosecutions may follow. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Wilde, who is a very estimable woman, and for his two beautiful children. A singular feature of English law is that even if her husband is convicted and sentenced to penal servitude, Mrs. Wilde cannot hey a divorce on either ground.