The San Francisco call., 1896-10-23
But She Cannot Explain Why
She Committed t. e Very
Strange Acts.
IMPORTANT MEDICAL EVIDENCE
Testimony of the Expert Physician
May Do Much Toward Clearing
the Accused.

LONDON, Eng. Oct. 22-The Castle
case, which has already been prolific of
sensations. produced another one to-day,
when it was admitted that Mrs. Castle
had made a full confession that she had
taken the things found in her trunks, but
claimed not to be responsible.
This confession was made during long
examination to which she was subjected
by pr. George Henry Savage, one OF the
leading British experts ON mental dis
eases.
Although he secured this confession
from her, DIR. Savage's examination was
on the whole favorable to the prisoner.
He was with her for four hours and in.
vestigated her mental condition with the
utmost thoroughness. As a result he is
prepared to go on the witness-stand and
swear that Mrs. Castle was not responsible
for her deeds. So high is the reputation
OF DR.. Savage that his testimony will have
the greatest weight with the jury, and
since they have learned his opinion the
friends of the Castles are feeling much
more confident than they have felt during
the last few days.
1t was during this examination that
the different articles that she was accused
of stealing, but said that she could not tell
why she had done so; that she had felt an
overpowering desire that she could not re-
sist. She broke down while making this
admission and seemed greatly affected.
Lewis Meill, watch manufacturer OF
Hatton Garden, one of the sureties on the
bonds for Mr.. and Mrs. Castle, is authority
for this statement. which he made to a
correspondent of the United Press this
morning.
]. r. Roosevelt, first secretary of the
United States embassy. informed repre-
sentative OF the United Associated Presses
to-day that he had an interview with the
Castles yesterday. He said that Mr.. Cas-
tie might possibly make written state
meat on behalf of himself and wife to-
day. Roosevelt said that the American
embassy would not interfere in the case
and was merely watching its progress.
Roosevelt received the appended letter
| to-day:
| Dear Sir: These lines expressive of my
gratitude, should have been in your posses
sion long ere this, but during the past two
weeks my mental strain has been such as to
| completely uDbaance me, thus incapacitating
me from giving expression 10 my feelings in
writing. The most difficult task of my life is
to frame words with which can even in the
smallest degree express my feelings OF heart
| felt gratitude for the disinteres;ed kindness
which has been showered upon me by the hon.
orable gentlemen of the United States en-
] bassy and by a seemingly unlimited number
| of friends in London and in America, who have
| focked to my assistance, and TO whom owe
| debt OF gratitude which cannot be liquidated
| in the course OF a lifetime.
| The more l think of the loving care with
which have been watched over and protect
ed during these days of misfortune the less
| can comprehend how it is possible that
man comparatively unknown and thousands
OF miles away from his birthplace and home
can awaken such an avalanche of sympathy
| and secure the disinterested support and
friendship of such large number of promi-
nent men OF both great nations as has been nv
marvellous good fortune. have no words that
| can sufficiently thank you, gentlemen of the
| United States embassy, and each and every
one OF my kind friends for their truly wonder
ful devotion to me and mine during this dread
| ordeal.
My only claim 10 this kind protection is that
l have never committed dishonorable action
in my past life or in the present instance, or
with the help of the Almighty will ever do
aught different in the future. Kindly re-
guessing you, my dear Mr.. Roosevelt, to un-
| dertake for me the task of seeing that every
one OF my sympathetic friends shall know of
my heartfelt appreciation of every kindness
expressed for me and every service rendered
| for me, and begging you will convey full
share OF my devotion and heartfelt thanks to
the United States embassy in London and all
of the United States officials, as well as the
California State officials who have SO nobly
come forward in defense of my honor, believe
me, remain yours most respectfully,
WALTER NJ. CASTLE.
Clerkenwel sessions, to which Mr.. and
Mrs. Castle were committed for trial at
their hearing last Tuesday, will begin
November q and their case will be
brought up within fortnight thereafter.
Sir Edward Clarke, Queens Counselor
and member of Parliament, the foremost
criminal lawyer in England, has been re-
tained to conduct the defense.