Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-01
Trying to Show That he Didn't
Cheat at Baccarat.
THE TRIAL BEGUN IN LONDON TO-DAY.
All the Fashionable World Inter-
ested in the Case.
PRINCE OF WALES PRESENT.
THE FAMOUS BaooaRar SCANDAL
Sir William Gordon CummIng's Action fo'
Slander Regun.

Sir William Gordon Cumming's Action for
slander Berun.
Special Cable Dispu,ch to The Evening Star.
LONDON, June l.-What will probably prove
the most exciting trial Of the season, IL not Of
recent years, was begun this morning before
Lord Chief Justice Coleridge and a special
jury, being the Judicial inquiry into
the notorious baccsrat case, In which
Sir William Gordon Cumming g. the
| plaintiff and the Prince Of Wales the most in
| teresting il not the chief witness. Although the
court room is the largest in the costly pile de-
voted 20 the dispensing OF Justice ON the north
side of the Strand, and just westward of the
| boundary OF the city OF London. IL Was crowded
this morning long before the appointed time
/ by those who haG been fortunate enough to OBJ
tain tickets. The audience comprised the flower
of London society. representing all circles. and
imcluding many leaders IN professional life ~
could possibly manage to get away from their
engrosslng occupations
ARRIVAL or rHE PRINCE.
II. II. II. the Prince Of Wales entered the
room shortly after II, accompanied by that
veteran in social functions. Sir Francis knollys,
one of the grooms-in-wsitiug. The jury hav-
| ing been sworn. the lord chief Justice took his
| seat and brlef discussion took place regarding
| the examination of the Prince of Wales the
| avowed object being 10 come to some under
| standing that would curtail the attendance Of
his royal hlghness 10 as brlef a period as pos
sible.
orENISG FoR THE PLArNrrrF.
| Sir Edward Clarke. the solicitor general. OBJ
served that be would consult the princes con-
venienoe to the utmost. but Lord Colsridge re-
marked that the prince did not attend the
trial as a spectator. but a witness summoned
by both parties to the suit
After MIR. Gin had briefly presented the case
for the plaintiff Sir Edward Clarke, addressing
| the court. said that the case was: Ibid SIR
| Gordon Cumming cheat at cards OF not.' The
question was a serious one. involving the honor
| and reputation. indeed the whole career of
man who had distinguished military record.
He was a lieutenant colonel OF the Scots
Guards. and for wears he had engaged the
friendship of the Prince Of Wales and other
eminent persons. Suddenly he brought
| face to face with the accusation that he had
cheated at cards. an accusation made by one
two of his oldest friends.
| In opening the case. Sir Edward said he
wished. a. far as POSSIBLE, 70 avoid comment
upon those concs aed in the affair. IL neees-
sary. however, he would comment at a later
stage of the proceedings. Sir Edward de-
| scribed the party assembled at 1ranby Croft
during the Doncaster races in September. 1880.
He then explained for the benefit of the jury
| how the game of baccarat was played. adding
that the bank at Tranby Croft Was limited 10
sl00, and when that was lost the game wns at
an end. Ii would be his duty To put the Prince
OF Wales and Gen Owen Williams in
the witness box, and they would satisfy
the jury that they saw nothing wrong
in Sir Gordon's play. 1t was has system 10
double his stakes III he lost until he recovered
his losses. He would then revert to his original
stake. Baccarat was played for two evenings
at Iranby Croft, but il was not until the third
day that any suspicious were breathed and
then the plaintiff gave Lord Coventry an ALSO
lutte and unqualified denial OF the charge.
Late on "Wednesday evening SIR Gordon
allowed TO see the Prince OF Wales in the pres
ence of Lord Coventry and Gen. Williams,
when he again repeated apositiye denial.
In reply to a question by Sir Chas. Russell,
Sir Edward said that he did not propose TO call
Lord Harrington. az in his opinion the testl-
mony of Gen. Williams would be sufficient
The solicitor general then read the famous
agreement signed by sir Gordon. in which lac
''solemnly undertook never to play cards again
as long as be lived. and added that It might
come out in the course Of the trial that the
plaintiff had made great mistake in Afhxing
the signature, but that lac was oyer-persuAded
by such old friends as Gen. Williams and Lord
Coventry.
| SIR GORDON CUNNING CALLED.
After making an impassioned appeal for his
client Sir Edward then called the plaintiff.
Sir Gordon Cumming swore that lac was a mem-
ber of the Carleton, Marlborough, Turf, Guards
and other clubs: had been twenty-three wears
in the army and taken part in the battle Of
Tel-el-keblr and other engagements.
He then gave his version of what occurred on
the three evenings in question. At the end Of the
game on Wednesday evening the Prince Of
| Wales said, laughingly: "How came YOU 10 win
so much money!" To which Sir Gordon re-
piled, "How could / help winning with such
tableaux. sir?" calling the princes attention to
the witness tableauX.
The following evening Lord Coventry and
Gen. Williams came 20 h.m and said that some
thing very disagreeable had occurred. and that
some people staying IN the house had objected
to Sir Gordon's method Of playing baccarat.
Witness replied: Good Godg what do you
meany'
Lord Coventry then explained that he was
accused of resorting to foul play. The
witness characterized the charge as q
foul abominable falsehood," !" and asked his
informers. who were two OF his Oldest
friends, for advice, placing himself
tirely in their hands. Ii was they who
arranged the interview the same night with the
| Prince of Wales who, when Sir Gordon pro-
tested his innocence, said that there we're i've
accusers against him, F" and one witness saying
that he would publicly insult HIM on the
course the next day If be repeated the asser-
| ton.
Lord Coventry asked witness 10 leave them
alone for a few moments. ON his re-entering
the room he told that there was but one
| way to avoid horrible scandal and that was 10
sign the agreement not 10 play again. Witness
pointed out that this was virtual admission of
| guilt His friends admitted this, but still ad-
yised him to sign, which he finally did, reluc-
| tantlv.
Sir Gordon then, in a reply to question by
the solicitor general, formally and emphat-
| icaly denied the charge.
The cross-examination of the plaintiff was
| then commenced by Sir Charles Russell leading
| counsel for the defendants.
The court then adjourned after hearing fur
ther testimony for the plaintiff. The Prince
Of Wales remained throughout the entire ses-
| sion.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.