The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-06-18
THAT SETTLES IT.
No Action to Be Taken by Parliament
Regarding the Baccarat Scandal.

: F. /. Z 4 L.aE . 5s q & + ( i
No Action to Be Taken by PARLIAMENT
Regarding the Baccarat Scandal.
LONDON. June 16 Hon. Edward STAN
hope secretary OF state for war, replying
to-day in the house of commons to ques-
ton put by Mr.. Summers Gladstone Lib
eral) in regard to the baccarat scandal, said
that Sir William Gordon Cumming was the
chief person who had broken faith, be-
cause he did not report the case to his COM
handing officer. If an offense was COM
mitted by any other person it could only
have consisted in ad vising and pressing him
to take different course than laid down
by the army regulations.
Of the three officers concerned, Gen.
Owen Williams was a retired officer of the
army and was. therefore, not subject to the
regulations but the other two-Feld Mar
shall the prince OF Wales and Lieut.. Berke-
ley Levett-undoubtedly We're. The for
mer said Mr.. Stanhope, on looking at all
the circumstances Of the case, had author
lied him, Mr.. Stanhope, to say that he now
saw that an error OF Judgment had been
committed.
Lieut.. Berkeley Levett, on the other
hand, continued Mr.. Stanhope. had writ
ten letter to his commanding officer ex-
pressing deep regret that he had not acted
in accordance with the army regulations.
in conclusion, it was not proposed to take
any further action in the matter.
Mr.. Cobb, who had announced his in
tention Of questioning the secretary Of war
as to what ac:ion he intended to take in re-
gard to the prince of Wales. Gen. Owen
Williams and Lieut.. Berkeley Levett for
signing the document which allowed Sir
William Gordon Cumming to remain an
officer in the British army, although he
was believed to have cheated at cards. ETC..
did not, in view Of Mr.. Stanhope's state
ment, put the question he had prepared.
There is a movement to expel Sir Edward
Clarke from the clubs on account of his at
tack on the prince of Wales in the baccarat
case. The queen and family are said to
favor the movement. Lord Chief Justice
Coleridge will take official notice Of Sir
William Gordon Cummings accusation Of
Sir William will be nominated tor parlia-
ment by his Scottish constituents.
In his explanation of the Tranby Croft
matter, Secretary for War Stanhope said
this evening in the house Of commons:
The army regulations in question had I'M
notice OF the prince Of Wales, but when they
had been, and looking back at all the circum-
stances 81 the case. tho prince OF Wales saw his
Gordon Cumming to make an immediate report
to his commanding officer. In his view con-
cur. but should like to express my personal
that friend who had greatly distinguished him
sci: in the service had been accused OF such All
of:ense he would certainly hesitate before at
once adopting course that would bring an i'm
mediate and irretrivable blight Oh his whole
future.
Interest in the baccarat questions at
tracted to the house OF coHmons to-day the
largest afternoon attendance Of the present
session. The speakers, strangers and
ladies galleries were packed. The house,
nj nf IiSfap cd
eagerly to Mr.. Stanhopes statement which
had evidently been carefully prepared.
The announcement that Gen. Williams was
already on the retired list surprised
the group Of radicals eager to attack him =,
and the prince of Wales's voluntary admis.
sion Of all error of judgment on his part
astonished and gratiied the whole house
and was received with slight cheering from
the opposition benches.
The bulk of the opposition are averse to
any further action and want the matter to
rest where Mr.. Stanhope left it.