Compare Paragraphs

(PER MAIL STEAMER AT AUCKLAND)

The collapse of Oscar Wild's case and subsequent arrest, says the correspondent of the 'New York World' on 5th April, have caused a sensation without parallel in London since the exposure and flight of the forger Pigott during the sitting of the Parnell Commission. Still, since Wilde's first day's testimony the result was foreseen. The expectation was that the jury would stop the trial and return a verdict for Lord Queensberry. Wilde's lawyers acted wisely in consenting to a verdict at the stage the suit had reached. If Lord Queensberry's witnesses had been examined the judge would have had no recourse, but must have issued a warrant for Wilde's arrest on a charge entailing as a maximum a penalty of twenty years' imprisonment, but upon the evidence already unfolded, if Wilde is convicted it can only be of a misdemeanor, for which the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. Wilde looked a changed man this morning as he slunk into the court buildings. His complexion was ghastly, and altogether he had the aspect of a man who had passed a wakeful and anxious night. To an interviewer Wilde stated, in a nervous tone quite unlike his flippant audacity as a witness, that he had withdrawn from the case to spare Lord Douglas the pain of testifying against his father, adding that he willingly sacrificed himself for his friend. That was the hollowest 'bluff.' The truth is that Wilde's chief lawyer, Sir Edward Clarke, decided after the close of Thursday's proceedings to withdraw from the suit. This decision was immediately communicated to Oscar, hence the restless, hopeless night he passed. Wilde's lawyers say that up to that time he had never evinced the slightest appreciation of the enormity of the accusations against him. It was only when the imminent prospect of his taking Lord Queensberry's place in the dock dawned upon him that he lost his self-command. The mass of testimony ready to be given against him, as forshadowed by Lord Queensberry's counsel, took Wilde completely back. The 'World's' correspondent hears that this testimony was tendered by the police to Lord Queensberry's lawyers, it having accumulated during their investigations. They had planned a public prosecution if the case had proceeded. It is rumored that one of the reasons why Sir Edward Clarke decided to stop the trial was that to go on would have involved the disclosure of the names of distinguished personages, but this story is discredited. If Wilde had escaped to the continent he would have been safe from arrest, as he could not have been extradicted under the charge. It was reported he had fled but he was seen in Chelsea at 1 p.m. to-day, and was arrested by 7 p.m. Mrs Wilde who is distracted with grief at the turn affairs have taken, has about L600 a year of her own. For the last three years she has received no financial help from her husband.

Ever since the Police Court proceedings the bookings for both Wilde's pieces have steadily declined. The London public will never tolerate the performance of any more of his plays. Thus his principal means of livelihood is gone, and as he lived very extravagantly he has nothing from the large income he has had for some years.

FLIGHT PROJECTED.

A later London cable says: Oscar Wilde was arrested by a detective of Scotland Yard this afternoon on charges growing out of his own evidence given in the libel suit against Lord Queensberry, which was decided against the dramatist to-day. The warrant was issued on the application of Sir George Lewis, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor. After the trial this afternoon Wilde went to the Westminster Bank, where he drew out the funds to his account, after which he was constantly shadowed. He returned to his hotel, accompanied by Lord Alfred Douglas, only remaining a few minutes, after which they drove off to Ely Place, and thence to the Cadogan Hotel where they vanished. The Scotland Yard authorities issued descriptions of Wilde, and spread them over the city, and he was captured before he could get out of the country, as was evidently his intention. He was taken to Scotland Yard and locked up; then he was taken to Bow street and placed in the dock. At the police station he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken. The police inspector then read the charge aloud, and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner, apparently indifferent, made no reply. He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell. Subsequently Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde would be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde was arrested for a criminal offence, which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court. Lord Alfred seemed greatly distressed by this information. Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public. They will be arrested.

WILDE'S EXPLANATION.

The Evening News to day received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon note paper of the Holborn Hotel: "It would have been impossible for me to have proved my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his father. He was extremely anxious to go into the witness-box but I would not let him. rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to withdraw from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my persecution of the Marquis of Queensberry."—Oscar Wilde.