Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-04
WALES IN THE BOX.
Did the Prince Accuse William Cor
don Cumming Of Cheating2
THE FAMOUS BACCARAT SCANDAL.
Wales Would Prefer Not to Renew His
Acquaintance With Cumming-A Jury
man Bobs Up With Couple of
Questions.

LONDON, June 3.-The prince Of
baccarat scandal. In reply to Sir Ed
ward Clarke, chief counsel for the pros
ecution, the prince testified that he had
known the plaintiff, Sir William Cor
don Cumming, for twenty years. Sir
William had for ten years been his in
innate friend and had visited him at
Sandringham several times. Continu-
ing his testimony the prince said that
his intimacy with the plaintiff had con-
tinued unimpaired up to Septe mber of
last year.
During the visit of himself and party
to Tranby croft to attend theraces wit
ness had observed nothing to excite
suspicion in the conduct or bearing of
the plaintiff. He had first been in
formed of the circulation of reports
derogatory of the character of Sir
William Gordon Cumming by Lord Gov
entry. These reports intimated unfair
play by the plaintiff. The prince then
recited how the event had resulted in
the breaking up of the party assembled
at Tranby croft Before leaving Mrs.
Wilson's residence friends had sent to
his private secretary, Sir Francis
Knollys, for safe keeping a state
ment in connection with the case,
which was signed by three of the
gentlemen and two of the ladies
who were present Sir Francis was not
aware of the nature of the statement
and had not seen Sir William Gordon
min Of h. l,
been interviewed by Gen. Williams and
Lord Coventry and had denied the truth
of the charge to him (witness).
When witness heard the story of Sir
Williams alleged wrong doing, Gen.
Williams and Lord Coventry prepared
and handed him a precise account of
the occurrence.
This concluded the evidence of the
prince on direct examination. The
doubts of the audience as to whether
the prince would be subjected to cross
examination were quickly set at rest
by Sir Charles Russell rising to ques-
ton the distinguished witness. In re-
ply to questions by Sir Charles the
prince testified that he believed he had
also seen in this connection Prince Ed
ward and Captain Somerset in addition
to the three gentlemen to whom GER
tain statements had been made by
three other gentlemen of the party.
Witness was not informed that two
ladies, whom he had not seen at the
time, alleged that they also had wit
messed dishonest play by plaintiff. He
did not recollect whether any one of
the three gentlemen said anything
about withdrawing a portion of the
stakes, or that Sir William had system
atically placed on the board larger
stake than had originally been placed
there.
Continuing, the prince stated that the
suggestion that memorandum of the
unfortunate affair be prepared and sub
mitted to Sir William for his signature
did not come from him. 1t was simply
a proposition made by Lord Coventry in
which witness acquiesced. Witness
was greatly disturbed by the occur
renee, referring to the interview had by |
him with Sir William in the presence of |
Gen. Williams. Witness said that the |
plaintiff asked him whether he believed |
the statement made against him. He |
did not recall his reply. He was GER
tain that the plaintiff intimated his will
ingness to have the matter referred to |
the Duke of Cambridge. In reply to
this suggestion Gen. Williams limited |
that the duke of Cambridge might not
regard the affair as leniently as Sir
Williams other friends.
The prince further declared that he
had, out of regard for Sir William Cor
don Cumming, desired to act as lenient-
ly as was possible under the circum-
stances The date of the document
to Sir William was omitted
at the time of writing and had been
affixed on the same night after the
plaintiff had attached his name to the
paper. Here the witness was asked
how recently he had been in the COM
pany of the plaintiff. His reply was:
81 have not met Sir William Gordon
Cumming since the unfortunate occur
renee here under investigation. 1 should
it more agreeable not to meet
him in the future
This was delivered with somewhat of
an emphasis and created a sensation.
When Sir Charles Russell had finished
mis- cross examination and after Edward
Clarke on behalf Of the prosecution had
with courtly grace assured the prince
hat he would not be detained one
longer than was absolutely
aecessarZs then cama the only Eeallz