New Britain herald., 1927-02-02
'GLADS70NE'S CASE
 IS NEARING CLOSE
Son of Noted British Statesman
 Explains Attitude

London, Feb. 2 (UP)-The name of Queen Victoria today was drawn into the legal controversy over the alleged marital infidelity of William E. Gladstone, four times her ma iestys prime minister. but the royal views and opinions of the woman who lent her name to the most prim of modern eras was barred from court.
 Viscount Gladstone, 7S-year-old son of the great liberal statesman, was on the witness stand today in his own and his fathers defense, the viscount charged with labelling Captain Peter Wright and the elder Gladstone having been charged by Wright with pursuing and possessing every sort of wom- an."
 The latter charge was made in Wrights book, portraits and criticisms. Viscount Gladstone publicly called Wright a liar, a coward and fool because of his allegations and challenged Wright to sue for libel. Wright did so.
 Viscount Gladstone was the first witness today in his own defense. When counsel asked regarding Queen Victoria's opinion of one of Gladstone's political views, the judge announced that the introduc- tion of her majestys name would be prohibited.
 Norman Birkett. kings counsel, in his opening speech for the de- fense, asked the jury to approve without qualification the aged vis- counts denunciation of Wright, in cluding the terms liar and foul fellow. Birkett said Wright was "a foul fellow speaking with a foul mouth out of foul mind"
 Under Brikett's stern cross ex- animation, Wright had weakened, and during the lawyers address to the jury Wright wearily held his head in his hands. The viscounts counsel had directed a scathins cross examination to destroy Wrigts contention that Gladstone had been intimate with Lily Lang try, famous beauty of the times; Olga Novikoff, a Russian political agent; Laura Bell and others.
 The viscount testified today that up to 1885. when he was S1 years old, he had lived with his father at Carlton House terrace or Tn Downing street, and that he had been brought into the closest rela- lion with him. He said he consid- cred Wrights reference to the elder Gladstone to have been "a -evolting, foul charge" because he, he viscount, knew it to be false.
 Asked the purpose of the letter lpon which the present libel acton s based, the viscount replied:
 "I write it to force Capt. Peter Wright into court of law. I had 10 other remedy. My brother and | came to the conclusion that 1t | vas our duty to act at once. soon | We should be gone and there would De nobody who knew the facts to . ,ct to get justice for our father. ,
 The viscount's brother, Henry Neville Gladstone, is 75 years old.
 Ideal Home Life
 Gladstone said the home life of . lis parents had been ideal and hat Wright's charge had made my father be a foul sensuallst' oul hypocrite. They were lies"
 There had been no secrecy, Gladstone said. in the meetings be- ween the elder Gladstone and Nile. Novikoff and there was no ,asis for any allegation Of lm- ,ropriety of any kind, either with espect to changed political poli- ,ies or an illicit love affair l
 Referring to strained relations between Gladstone and Parnell, he Irish leader. the riscount said: |.
 "Parnell would not meet my |, father in public, and my father from old experience would not meet Parnell in private. Parnel! wished 10 meet my father in pri- vate, but my father declined.'
 The viscount said the statement that the elder Gladstone had con- nived in Parnelrs illicit rela'ton- ship with a Mrs. O'Shea was lie.