The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-03
WALES IN THE WITNESS BOX.
The Prince Gives Sir Gordon a Set Back
in The BaCcarat Trial.
RIGIDLY QUESTIONED BY A JUROR.
The Prince Considerably Excited While Tes-
tifying and Evidently Glad to Retire
Foreign Events.
by Cable 70 The Tfmes.l


LONDON, June 2-Fashionable London,
wherever it was possible SO to do. again to-day
deserted the sunshine for the sitting atmos-
phere at the Royal Courts wherein Lord
ChiefJustice Coleridge sits in judgment in
the Baccarat case, or what the West-End
ladies modestly whisper Of as that terrible
case of the Prince, the Colonel and the lady,
The courtroom was crowded.
The cross-examination of Sir William Cor
don Cumming. the plaintiff in the case. was
conc luded to-day, but little Of importance
was elected.
TIE PRINCE IN THE wITNEss-Box-
At the conclusion of the testimony of Sir
William Gordon Cumming the Prince ot
Wales was called to the wtness-box. lie tes-
tilted that at the time of the alleged cheating
he saw nothing out of the way until LORD
Coventry informed him that something was
wrong.
The Prince then recited how the sad event
had resulted in the breaking up Of the party
assembled at fTanbycroft. Before leaving Mrs.
| Wilson's residence the witness had sent TO his
private secretary. Sir Francis knollys. ior
safe-keeping, a statement III 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
| statement, and had not seen Sir William Cor
don Cumming until after that gentleman had
been interviewed 10y General Williams and
Lord Coventry and had denied the truth OF
the charge to him (witness).
THE WITNESS cBoss-ExAMINED.
When witness heard the story of Sir. VIII
liam's alleged wrong-dOing General Williams
and Lord Coventry prepared for and handed
TO him precis of the occurrence.
This concluded the evidence OF the Irlnco
on direct examination.
In reply to questions by Sir Charles Russell
the Prince testified on cross examination that
the suggestion that memorandum OF the un-
fortunate affair be prepared and submitted TO
Sir William for his signature did not come
from him. 1t was simply proposition made
by Lord Coventry IN which witness acqulesced.
Witness was greatly distressed by the occur
ence. The Prince further declared that he
had. out of regard for Sir William Gordon
Cumming. desired to act as lenientiY as was
possible under the circumstances
CREATED SENSATION.
The Prince was asked how recently he had
been in the company OF the plalntit. Ills
reply-which was, Il have not met Sir Will
liam Gordon Cumming since the unfortunate
occurrences here under investigation; lshould
consider it more agreeable not TO meet him IN
the future-was delivered with somewhat OF
emphasis and created a sensation.
When Sir Charles Russell had concluded
his cross-examination. and after Sir Edward
Clarke, on behalf of the prosecution. had with
courtly grace assured the Prince that he would
not be detained one moment longer than was
absolutely necessary. there came the only
really exciting scene Of the day.
QUESTIONED BY A JUROR.
Hardly had the solicitor general finished
his deprecatOry sentence when Juryman,
after Unexpectedly indicating his desire that
the witness should not leave the box. pro-
ceeded calmly and deliberately to examine
him as follows
Juror: Are the members of this jury to
understand that you were acting as banker on
these two occasions and yet saw nothing OF
the alleged malpractices Z"
Prince Of Wales 1T is not very easy
matter for the banker when dealing 10 see
anything Of that kind. Especially Is this
true when the game is being played IN the
country house of friends, where one would
not for a moment suspect any person present
OF unfair play
Back at the heir apparent came the perti-
nent juror with another question TO which
the Prince replied that when the charges
against the plaintiff were made with 80 much
Of unanimity he considered he had no other
alternative than 10 believe in their truth.
THE PRINCE RETTRRATEs.
When the determined Juror signified that
egn Sir Edward Clarke asked a question in
redirect examination which drew from the
witness an emphatic repetition of his orig
inal statement that ne had not himself seen
any unfair play at Tran bycroit. witness was
then allowed TO leave the box.
His testimony had been given IN a hating,
hesitating way, and although he had been but
twenty minutes in the witness box it was
plainly apparent 70 every one present tha} the
Prince was glad the ordeal was over. While
in the box be had been uneasy; had frequently
and restlessly changed his position, and ner-
vously smOOthed his beard Not once did mo- lift
his eyes or look upon the eager faces every
where staring at him His face was fsshed
and n occasional light nervous trem0r shook
his frame But very few of his answers were
aadible TO others than those IN close prox-
unity TO the witness-boX.
ANOTHER wIT1Ess.
After the Prince left the courtroom General
Owen Williams was examined. Interest seemed
10 lac after the departure of-the Prince. At
the conclusion of the days hearing the plain
tif's counsel announced their case closed
The court adjourno3 until tomorrow, when
the defense will begin.
HIS ANXIOUS MOTHER.
The summary Of Yesterdays evidence in the
Baccarat case was telegraphed the Queen at
Balmoral in accordance with her orders. Du-
ring the court session yesterday telegram
was handed to the Prince of Wales. supposed
to be from his mother. The, Queen IS said TO
be more deeply affected by the affair than by
any event since the death of Prince Leopold.
and q leading Liberal connected with tho
trial expressed apprehension yesterday that
it might have an inhueace on her health, es-
peciallv in the event okSny incident rejecting