The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-06-18
THAT SETTLES 1T,
No Action tO Be Taken by Parliament
Regarding the Haecarat Scandal

Regarding the Eaccarat Scandal
LONDON. June I6 Hon. Edward STAN
hope, secretary OF state for war, replying
to-day in the house of commons to ques-
ton put by Mr.. Summers Gladstone Lib
eraD in regard to the baccarat scandal said
that Sir William Gordon Cumming was the
chief person who had broken faith, be-
cause he did not report the case to his COM
manding officer. II an offense was COM
united by any other person it could only
have consisted in advising and pressing him
to take a different course than laid down
by the army regulations.
or the three officers concerned, Gen.
Owen Williams was q retired officer of the
army and was. therefore, not subject to the
regulations. but the other two-FIeld Mar
shal the prince OF Wales and Lieut.. Berke-
ley LeVett-undoubtedly were. The for
mer, said Mr.. Stanhope, OH looking at all
the circumstances OF the case, had author
lied him, Mr.. Stanhope, to say that he now
saw that an error OF Judgment had been
committed.
Lieut.. Berkeley Leyett, on the other
hand, CONTINUED Mr.. StanhOpe, had writ
ten letter TO his commanding officer ex-
pressing deep regret that he had not acted
in accordance with the army regulations.
Consequently, said the secretary of war
in conclusion, 1t was not proposed tn take
any further action in the matter.
Mr.. Cobb, who had announced his in.
tentiOn OF questioning the secretary of war
as To what action he intended to take in re-
gard TO the prince of Wales Gen. Owen
Williams and Lieut.. Berkeley Levclt Tor
signing the document which allowed Sir
William Gordon Cumming to remain an
officer in the British army, although he
was believed to have cheated at cards, etc.
did not, in view of Mr.. Stanhope's state
ment, put the question he had prepared.
There is a movement to expel Sir Edward
Clarke from the clubs OH account OF his at
tack on the prince of Wales IN the baccarat
case. The queen and family are said to
favor the movement. Lord Chief Justice
Coleridge will take offic al notice Of Sir
William Gordon Cummings accusation OF
uniaiTn"ss in his charge. 1t is rumorcd that
Sir William will be nominated TOR parlia.
ment by his Scottish constituents.
In hls explanation of the Tranby Gro
matter Secretary for War Stanhupe said
this evening in the house of commons:
The army regulations in question had um.
doubtedly never been specially brought TO the
notice OF the prince of Wales, but when they
had been, and looking back mt all the crcum-
stanCrs Of the case, the prince OF Wales saw his
error OF Judgment in not requiring Sir William
Gordon Cumming to make an immediate report
to his commanding Ofli,er III his view con
cur. but should like to express my personal
opinion that. had any one e,se suddenly heard
that N friend who had greatly distinguished him
self in the service had been accused Of such All
offense lie would certainly hesitate before vt
once adopting Il course that would bring nn i'm
mediate and irretrvabe blight oil his whole
future.
Interest in the baccarat questions at
tracted TO the house OF commons to. day the
largest afternoon attendance OF the present
session. The speakers, strangers and
ladies galleries were packed. The house,
hushed and intensely cxpectant. listened
eagerly to Mr.. Stanhope's statement. which
had evidently been carefully prepared.
The announcement that Gen. Williams was
already on the retired list surprised
the group OF radicals eager to attack him
and the prince Of Wales's voluntary adms
sion OF an error OF judgment on his part
astonished and gratified the whole house
and was received with slight cheering rom
the opposition benches.
The bulk of the opposition are averse to
any further action and want the matter to
rest where Mr.. StanhOpe left it.