Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-03
HIS HIGHNESS WINGED
Interesting Testimony in the
Baccarat Case.
Wales Examination Was a Sore
Trial.
The Prince Was Nervous and His Re.
plies Almost Inaudible.
The Defense Most skfllfuIIy Conducted
by Sir Charles sRussel1-GeneraI
williams Evidence.
Associated Press Dispatches.

LONDON, June 2.-In the baccarat trial
today General Owen Williams was the
next witness after the prince of Wales.
He related the incidents connected with
the games, his testimony in the main
concdrring with that of the previous
witnesses. On ross-examination by
Sir Charles Russell he said that on the
second night of the playing he heard the
prince of Wales tell the plaintiff that he
should keep his hands further back, be
cause he (the Prince) could not see the
stakes. The general said he and others
who were present at Tanbycroft told
plaintiff that signing document
agreeing never to play cards again
was the only way out of the difficulty,
and if he did not do so he would
have to leave the house and would, in
addition, be warned off every race course
in England or elsewhere.
This last piece of testimony caused
decided sensation. When Sir Charles
Russell asked General Williams why he
continued to address plaintiff as "Dear
Bill' in his letters after the baccarat
scandal, witness explained that plain
tiff was suffering agony of mind, and
that he (the general) did not wish to
add to his old friends grief. At another
part of the cross-examination the gen.
eral admitted that plaintiff had re-
preached Lord Coventry and himself for
giving plaintiff what he termed "bad
advice"
Sir Charles Russell's cross-examina-
tion of Sir William Gordon Cumming
was pronounced to be very successful
effort. What Sir Charles wanted was
that plaintiff should admit that he re-
mained quiet so long as he thought the
facts in connection with the scandal
would not get about, and that the fact
that they did get out, and no loftier
motive, led Sir William to take the
present proceedings. The bout between
Sir Charles and the plaintiff was long
and stubbornly contested, Sir William
parrying the lawyers thrusts skilfully.
Finally, alluding to the compact of Sc
crecy, the plaintiff said Eyes, lived
in FOOLS paradise for time; at last /
the thing would have been taken up by
my club, by my friends, and my regi-
ment."
'sThat is what wanted" remarked
Sir Charles.
Sir Charles cross-examined the prince
of Wales with some show of airiness.
The word ''you" in Sir Charles cross
examination took the place of ''your
royal highness" and ''sir" which had
plentifully interlarded Sir Edward
Clarke's questions. But though Glad
stones attorney general (RusselD
showed to certain degree his liberal
sympathies, he was manifestedly tender
in his handling of the royal witness. In
fact, the general opinion formed in the
courtroom was that there was evidently
a. tacit agreement between the leading
counsel that they were to fish for and
get nothing from the prince which any
other witness could supply.
Only once did the prince of Wales be-
tray any open sign of impatience, and
that was when Sir Charles Russell
asked: "What did Mrs. Wilson say to
you about Sir William Gordon Cumming
cheating?"
The prince replied shortly, somewhat
angrily it appeared: "She said very
little" and there the subject was drop
ped, as any lawyer can see, at the most
important stage. The prince had adj
mitted that Mrs. Wilson told him some
thing about Sir Williams cheating, and
Sir Charles wanted to find out what she
had told the prince, but the latter's
show of annoyance at the question
caused counsel to turn his legal mind to
other matters.
Though it only lasted twenty minutes,
the examination of the prince evidently
wearied him exceedingly, and made him
extremely nervous. He kept changing
his position, and did not seem able to
keep his hands still. When question
more pressing, more to the point than
usual, was put to him, the princes face
was observed to flush considerably, and
then to turn pale again, showing the
state of nervousness in which he found
himself. Except to the lord chief
justice, counsel, jurors, press represent
atives and Others in proximity to the
witness box, only few OF the princes
answers were audible throughout the
court room.
VALUABLE INDIAN LANDS.