Galignani Messenger - Saturday, April 6, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE ARRESTED.
BAIL REFUSED.
THE INFORMERS MISSING.
[BY TELEPHONE TO "THE GALIGNANI
MESSENGER"]
LONDON, April 6.
As was generally expected after the sensational proceedings reported on our front page, Mr. Oscar Wilde was arrested last night, on the information of the Marquis of Queensberry.
The news created the greatest possible excitement in London and was the sole topic of talk in club and Press circles, where it had earlier been rumoured that Mr. Wilde was missing.
Mr. Wilde was arrested by detectives at 7.30 p.m. yesterday at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, where he had taken rooms. He was at once told the nature of the charge, but it is impossible at present to report what he said or did at the time. He was at once conveyed to Bow-street police-station.
It is rumoured that he sent for Lord Alfred Douglas. At all events, the latter called at the police office at three o'clock this morning and offered heavy bail. This was refused, and Mr. Wilde will be detained in an ordinary cell at the police-station until brought up at 10 o'clock this morning at Bow-street Police-court to answer the charge.
Although it would be unfair to prejudge the case in any way, it may be stated for the benefit of those unaware of the fact, that if Mr. Wilde is found guilty of the actual offence with which he is charged he will be liable to a term of imprisonment ranging between ten years and penal servitude for life. Should he be found guilty of attempting to commit the offence indicated he may be sent to penal servitude for from three to ten years.
The only relief from the ordinary lock-up accommodation which will be afforded Mr. Wilde, during his incarceration up to the conclusion of his trial, provided bail is not allowed, will be the freedom to supplement the prison fare at his own expense.
Another sensational feature of the case, only second in public interest to Mr. Wilde's arrest, is the disappearance of the two supposed "informers" in the case, the man Taylor being one of them.
All last evening the police were searching for these valuable witnesses without success, and it is feared they have left London and, possibly, also the country.