The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-03
THE ROYAL WITNESS.
The Prince Of Wales Testifes in
the Baooarat Scandal.
sIR GORDON TALKS OF SUICIDE

1t Is Said That He Has Positively
Stated That Should the Suit Bo
Decided Against Him He Will
Immediately Takc His Own Hirc.
The Prince Believes Him Guilty.
LONDON, June 8. = A summary of
Mondays evidence in tho baccarat case
was telegraphed to the queen at Bal
moral, in accordance with her orders.
The queen is said to be more deeply af-
fected by the affair than by any event
since the death of Prince Leopold, and
leading Liberal, connected with the
trial, expressed the apprehension that it
might have an Influence on her health,
especially in the evident of any incident
refecting on-the prince.
A Berlin dispatch says that the most
elyer interest is displayed in that CITY
about the baccarat trial = the upper
classes being astonished at the spectacle
OF the future king and emperor appear
ing as a witness in libel suit.
Why Sir William Brought Suit.
The cross examination of Sir William
Gordon Cumming, the plaintiff in the
baccarat scandal case, by Sir Charles
Russell was resumed yesterday.
In reply to aquestion by Sir Charles,
the plaintiff admitted that he had insti-
tuted the libel proceedings because of
the scandal becoming known, and be-
cause had he failed TO do so, his club,
Qhe United Service) would have taken
the matter up. Sir Charles then read
two letters from Gen. Owen Williams.
to Sir William Gordon Cummings, re-
ferring to complaints made by the plain
till that the pledge of secrecy with re-
gard to the matter at issue had been
broken by Gen. Williams. These letters
began with the term, "Dear Bill"
Royalty in the Witness Box. ~
The Prince of Wales was next called
10 the witness box. His royal highness
testified that he had known the plain
tiff for twenty years, and that Sir Cor
don had enjoyed his friendship for ten
years. The prince had visited plaintiffs
house several times, and the intimacy
and friendship had continued unim-
highness had observed nothing at all
suspicious in the plaintiffs play at bac-
carat at Tranby Croft, and Lord Coven.
try was the first TO inform him of the
reports current regarding Sir Gordon.
Five persons were named as the ac-
cusers. The party at Tranby had
broken up in consequence OF this sad
event.
''As TO the document which was signed
by myself and Others" continued tho
prince, ''it was sealed by me and placed
In packet and sent under seal to my
private secretary, Sir Francis Knollys,
who wns unaware Of its contents. 1t
remained iii safe place until it was
sent for"
On being cross examined by Sir
Charles Russell the Prince of Wales
said: "ln addition to Mr. Berkeley
Levett, Mr.. Arthur Stanley Wilson and
Mr.. L, Lycett Green, believe saw
Lord Edward Somerset and Capt Somer-
set, to whom certain statements had
been made by the first three regarding
the affair.
Would Rather Not Meet Sir William.
81 had also been informed that two
ladies witnessed the facts, but do not
remember that either MIR. e. Lycett
Green or Mr.. Arthur Wilson said any
thing about withdrawing any portion of
the statement. The suggestion as to
the signing of the memorandum came not
from me but from Lord Coventry and
Gen. Williams. l have been greatly
distressed regarding the whole affair."
Sir Charles Russell-"You desired,
sir, to look as leniently on the affair as
you could, out of regard for Sir Gordon
Cumming"
The Prince of Wales (emphatically--
sMost certainly. ] have not been inti-
mate with the plaintiff since the event,
and it would be more agreeable TO me
not to meet him in the future"
In reply to juryman the prince said:
81 saw nothing of the alleged irregular
proceedings on the part of the plaintiff;
one would naturally not expect such a
thing among friends in country house.
witnesses, however, were SO unanimous
that l could not help believing the
charge"
Sir Gordon Talks of Suicide.
Gen. Williams was the next witness,
BE corroborated the testimony of the
Prince Of Wales and that of the plaintiff
IS to the events on Sept. 10 and subse-
quently. 3,
On being cross examined Gen. Will
fans said that he saw no foul play of
any kind and had not the slightest pre-
disposition to believe it. The accusa-
ton against his friend Sir William came
as horrible shock. Mr.. Lycetstt Green
was the first to tell him that he had
seen the plaintiG cheating, adding that
others has;des himself had seen it.
By private information it is learned
that Sir Gordon Cumming has positively
stated that if the suit now pending
should be decided against him he would
Immediately take his own life.