The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-03
WALES ON THE STAND.
A JUROR ASKS HIM SOME LEAD
ING QUESTIONS.


Banker-He Was Forced to Believe
Sir Cumming Guilty-The Beautiful
Lady Brooke in Court and the Cyno-
sure OF All Eyes.
LONDON, June 2--The second day OF the
famous "baccarat" trial, otherwise the suit
for damages brought by Sir William
Gordon Cumming against the Tranby Croft
baccarst party for slander, commenced
this morning at about Il O'Clock with an al
most complete repetition of the
scenes witnessed yesterday at the open
ing. II anything, the rush for
admittance TO the court was greater than
on Monday, for everybody looked forward
to being able to see the Prince Of Wales
upon the witness stand, and to hearing his
testimony in regard to the gambling which
took place at Mr.. Wilson's residence at
Tranby Croft
LADY BROOKE IN COURT.
As on yesterday the plaintiff aud the
Prince OF Wales were the objects OF chief
interest to the assembly, but new attrac-
ton was added to-day by the presence Of
Lady Brooke. said to be the handsomest
woman in England, and who was one OF
Mr.. Wilson's guests at Tranby Croft. The
leveled at her did not disturb her
composure in the least. Sir Cumming
took the stand as soon as the
court was called to order. Pressed
by questions Of Sir Charles Russell the
plaintiff said that he took prompt legal pro-
coedings because the baccarat scandal has
become a public matter of conversation
and comment, and because IL had reached
the clubs to which he belonged, the Turf
club and Marlborough club, among others,
and had he not taken action in the matter
his clubs would certainly have done 30.
WALES ON THE STAND.
When the counsel was through with Sir
Cumming, the Prince OF Wales took the
witness box. In substance the prince said /:
~ have known the plaintiff for twenty
years, ana have besn his friend for the past
ten years. He visited my house several
times. Our intimacy continued unimpaired
until last September. ! observed nothing
suspicious in the plaintiffs play at
Trauby Croft l was first Informed
Of the reports current in regard TO Sir Will
liam Gordon Cumming by Lord Coventry"
The prince said that the sad event tthe
| charges brought against Sir Cumming
broke up the party at Tranby Croft. He
the prlnce) sealed the document up, put it
in a pocket and sent il TO his secretary,
Sir Francis Knollys, who was not
dWdAO VI bh0 AabGlo VI hu COAbcut5s
The letter, said the prince, remained in a
safe place until it was sent for in conneo-
ton with the present proceedings. The
memorandum was not made at the princes
suggestion, but he acquiesced in it.
THE PRINCE WAS THE BANKER.
The testimony Of the prince was about
| concluded when a juryman ross in his seat
and asked: "Are the jury to understand
that you were banking on two occasions
and saw nothing Of the alleged
malpractices3" The prince hesitated
cided as to whether he ought
or ought not to reply. Finally he
said with half smile: 1T is very easy for
the banker when dealing cards not TO see
anything, especially when in the company
| of friends in a country house. You do not
for moment supnose that any one will
play unfairly"
TIE PRINCE BELIEVED him GUILTY.
The juror, returning to.the charge, asked
"What was your opinion at the time Of
the charges made against the PLAINTIFF
To this the prince suavely replied: "The
| charges made against him were so unani-
nous that had not any other course open
to me than to believe them.n
This colloquy caused q sensation in the
| court room. The prince seemed very glad
| the examination was over. IL had lasted
| only twenty minutes, but toward the
latter part Of it the prince had be-
| come very nervous. A recess was
then taken and the prince went to luncheon
with Justice Coleridge and did not return
with him. During the absence of the jus
tices the audience retained their seats, pro-
duced lunch baskets and bottles and made
| picnic OF it.
HANDLED VERY TENDERLY.
Sir Charles Russell Was rnanifestlv kender
in his handling of the royal witness. In
fact the general opinion formed in the court
| room was that there was evidently tacit
agreement between the leading counsel on
| both sides that they were to fish for and get
nothing from the prince which any other
witness coul supply.
Gen. Owen Williams was the next wit
| ness. He related the now well-known incl
| dents connected with the TranbY Croft
baccarat games, the generals testimony in
! the main concurring with that given by
the witnesses who had previously been ex-
amined.
SUGGESTED THE DOCUMENT.
I57 Gen. Williams said that it was at his own
suggestion that the document giving the
particulars of the baccarat scandal was
| prepared and signed. The general made
| his suggestion in view of the possibilities of
the future, and he made the suggestion that
secrecy should be maintained. Upon the
| document being presented to Sir Cum
ming, the baronet observed that his
signing the paper would be tantamount
| to q confession of guilt and to an admission
| that it was true that be had cheated at
cards. This, said Gen. Williams, was the
statement that he, the witness, concurred
| in, but he told Sir Cumming that it was his
| only hope OF escape, as it was impossible to
rebut the evidence which existed against