Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-02
Wales Tells About the Baccarat
Scandal.
QUESTIONED BY A BOLD JURYMAE.
The Experience an Unpleasant One
for His Royal Highness.
SCENES IN THE COURT ROOM.
WALES OK THE STAND.
His Royal Htghne-.. the Heir Apparent.
Testifies in the Bsccsrnt Case.

ms hoNN htghoe-s, the Heir Apparcne
Testihes I'm the Bsccsrst Case.
LONDON, June a.-Fashionabie 2 London. wher-
ever it was possible to do. again today do
serted the sunshine, gently vibrating leaves
and fresh green grass for the sitting atmos-
phere at the royal courts. wherein Lord Chief
Justice Coleridge sits in judgment on what
West End ladies modestly whisper Of ne ''thas
terrible case OF the prince, the colonel and the
lady" though why ''the laty'' is matter which
remains 10 be seen.
A summary Of yesterdays evidence IN the
case was autographed. 90 the queen al BalmoraI
in accordance with her orders. During the
court session yesterday a telegram was handed
TO the Prince Of Wales, supposed TO be from his
mother. The queen - said 10 be more deeply
affected by the affair than by any event
since the death Of Prince Leopold and q lead
ing liberal connected with the trial expressed
the apprehension yesterday that il might have
an influence on her health. especially In the
event Of any incident rejecting on the prince
Looking down from the gallery upon the
scene below one sees. quietly seated, suaye N
manner and composed in countenance, some OF
the leading lawyers Of Englands mighty bar.
oRcss-ExsMISArToS CONTINUED.
Sir William Gordon Cumming, the plsinti3.
enters the witness box and his cross-e1Aminar
ton by Sir Charles Russell is resumed.
In reply TO = question by Sir Charles plaintiff
admitted that he had instituted the libel pro-
CetulnGs because OF the tChnQhl becoming
known, and because, had he failed 10 do 80, has
club (the United Seryice) would have taken the
matter up.
Witness in answer 10 questions by counsel
testified that. when in January last be bad sp-
piled to Col. Stracey of the Scots Guards 10 be
retired on half pay that officer told him that
the fact of his having signed the document
presented to him at Iranby Croft by Lord
Coventry and Gen. Williams could
not be overlooked. Thereupon plaintiff stated
81. =. O.
''lou are quite at liberty to tell Col. Stracey
that you sigped the document under extreme
pressure and promise of secrecy. You never
ceased to deny the charge"
Plaintiff never had said: "Levett couldn't
you say you were mistaken"
Sir Charles Russell-''Colonel, Sir William
Gordon Cumming, you will have 20 be careful"
Under fierce cross-examlnatlon the plaintiff
reluctantly admitted that he had said some
thing Of the sort
With this admission Sir William was allowed
to leave the box.
THE PRINCE IN THE WITNESS BOX
The Prince Of Wales was then called and oc-
cupied the seat in the witness box Just vacated
by the plaintiff. In reply to Sir Edward
Clarke, chief counsel for the prosecution, the
prince testified that he had known the plaintiff,
sir William Gordon Cumming, for twenty
years. sir William had Tor ten years been his
intimate friend and had visited him at sand
ringbam several times. Continuing his testi-
mony the Prince OF Wales said that his in
timacy with the plaintiff had continued unim-
paired up " September of last year.
He had been Informed Of reports de-ogatory
to Sir William Gordon Cumming by Lord Cow
entry.
These reports intimated unfair play by the
plaintiff. The prince then recited how the sad
event had resulted in the breaking up of the
party assembled at Tranby Croft Before leav-
ing Mrs. Wilson's residence witness had sent 10
L.
keeping,a a statement in connection with the case
which was signed by three Of the gentlemen
aud two Of the ladies who were present. SIR
Francis was not ot the nature OF the
statement and had not seen Sir William Cor
don Cumming until after that gentleman bad
been interviewed by Gen. Williams and Lord
Coventry and had denied the truth d the
charge to him (witness).
Ibid you desire under the circumstances 10.
act as leniently as possible out Of regard for
Sir William Gordon Cumming"
''Most certainly. The date Of the document
was omitted by Lord Coventry and affixed 20
IL after it had been signed. This was done on
the same night that the document was signed"
"Have you met Sir William Gordon Cum
ming since the occurrence at Tranby CrofE"
asked Sir Charles.
mo" answered the prince.
And have you intimated that you cannot
meet him?''
at would be more agreeable not to do So"
counsel for the plaintiff, interfered by remark
ing to the prince, Il do not ask your highness
to remain in court any longer than necessary,
but -
BOLD JURYMAS.
What the conclusion of the solicitor generals
observation was to be will probably never DO
known, for a bold jurymRn interrupted him
(and thereby caused a sensation) by proceed
ing to stand up in his place in the jury box
and deliberately question the Prisce Of Wales.
This audacious subject OF the princes royal
mother said in loud voice:
Are the jury to understand that you were
banking on these two occasions and saw moth
ing of the alleged malpracticesg'
The prince hesitated for a moment IL un-
decided as to whether be ought or ought not TO
reply. Finally concluding that he would
| answer he said with half smile:
1T is very easy for a banker when dealing
cards not TO see anything, especially when in
the company of friends in country house.
You do not for moment suppose that any one
will play unfairly"
The juror, returning to the charge. asked:
'What was your opinion at the time Of the
charges made against the plaintif2'
To this the prince suavely replied:
''The charges made against him were 90
unanimous that / had not any other course
open 10 me than to believe them"
The princes last answer caused another Of
those iutters of excitement followed by whis-
pered comment, which follow the making on the
one side or the other of point during the prog
ress of an important trial. The Juror, appar-
emily, had succeeded in bringing out, sq1arely
and beyond any possible doubt, the fact that
the Prince Of Nalos, in view of the evidence
which had been placed before him at Tranby
Croft by the ladies and gentlemen who had
played baccaIat with Sir William Gordon Cum
ming on September and 9, 1850, had become
convinced Of the plaintiff guilt.
When the murmurs Of sstonishment whiob
greeted the jurors questions and the princes
answers had subsided Sir Edward Clarke, See
ing that he must do everything possible TO re-
gain the ground which seemed to have been
lost BY the plaintiff in the estimation of the
jurymen, said, addressing the Prince Of Wales:
II take il that your highpess answer 10 the
first question put to YOU by the juror wss sub
stantially that you had not seen any mslprso-
tices during the games Of baccarss played ss
Tranby Croft last September
BOW TIE PRINCE STOOD II.
The prince assented TO this and his examins-
ton was concluded He gave his evidence
in halting, hesitating manner. and, he
seemed TO be very glad and exceedingly re-
heved when his examination was over. Though
il only lasted twenty minutes the examination
Of the prince evidently wearied him exceed
ingly and made him extremely nervous.
The prince seemed 10 lose his usual
state Of calm and dignity shortly after he en-
tered the witness box. he did not seem able
to make himself at on the stand. II WIS
noticed that the heir apparent was decidedly