The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-02
BACCARAT SCANDAL.
The Notable Case Opened in Lon
don Yesterday.
TREMENDOUS RUSH FOR SEATS.

AhC VI w AhN5 Il
sci for Both Sides Open the Case.
Career of Sir William Gordon
Cumming-He Denies the Charge
Against Him.
LONDON, June a. The sensational
baccarat scandal case, in which Sir
William Gordon Cumming is involvvd
as plaintiff and five other prominent per-
sons as defendants, and in which the
Prince of Wales is party, opened here
yesterday before Chief Justice Coleridge
and a special jury.
The rush for places was tremendous,
and though admission was only by card
every available place in the court room
was occupied. From the nature Of the
case the character of the assemblage
was notable.
All Ranks There.
The highest ranks in London society
were represented in the throng of strug-
Cling men and women massed in and
about the court. All the principals in
the case were present at the opening ex-
cept Sir William, who did not make his
appearance until later. The Prince of
sides, occupied chair at the left Of JUS
tice Coleridge.
In opening the case for the plaintiff
Counselor Gill said his clients claim
was SANDER, while the defense claimed
q charge of cheating at cards. Solicitor
General Edward Clarke followed in a
speech of considerable length in behalf
OF Sir William. He said "a serious
question is involved in the case, which
has affected the honor, reputation and
whole career of Sir William. 1t is no
ordinary case, and its interest is not and
cannot be confined to those who are par
ties in the trial"
Mr. Clarke reviewed in detail the
events in his clients career, "who," he
said "has given twenty-three of the
forty-three years of his life to the SER
vice of his country. He served, too,
with distinction in the Zulu war. He
won medal of honor in 1882. He
fought in the Egyptian trenches at Tel
el-Kebir and again won medal of
honor in 1884. He was in the Camel
corps in Egypt and he is now lieutenant
colonel in Scots Grays. For many years
he has enjoyed the friendship and has
been intimate with the most illustrious
persons of the land.
Cheating at Cards.
"Now he is suddenly brought face to
face with charge of cheating at cards"
Continuing Solicitor Clark said: "Sir
William and the Prince of Wales have
been friends for ten years. Sir William
has often been guest of the prince and
princess at Sandringham Palace. Up to
last year his presence at Tranby Croft,
the country home of the Wilson's, was
rather as a friend Of the Prince of Wales
than as an intimate friend of the Will
sons" Mr. Clarke described the scene
at the Wilson's after dinner on the night
when the alleged cheating at cards oc-
Cured. "There was musicand o friendly
chat till II O'clock, when some one sug-
gested a game of baccarat. The pro-
posal was generally accepted and the
prince was appointed banker. The bank
was limited to el00. The counters, in
dicating various sums from 81 to G10,
were used for greater convenience in
stead of money. In the game, when one
of the players said i go TO-, it was con-
sidered unnecessary to put the money
down, and the players word was suff-
cient. 1t was one of those bets when
Sir William said i go 10 and did not
put down the money that ho was charged
with cheating"
Sir William was called to the witness
box and repeated what Counsellor
Clarke had said, and added scme fur
ther explanation of the game in ques-
tion. He also said on that evening he
had especially good luck, and won about
G100.
Sir William Cross Examined.
Sir William was subjected to vigor-
GUS cross examination, and denied every
charge brought against him.
His case now appears quite favorable,
but it depends almost entirely on the
testimony of the Prince of Wales, who
will probably be called to the stand to-
day or tomorrow.
Court adjourned for the day at the
conclusion Of Solicitor General Clarke's
speech.
A.. INio