The trial of Lord Russell.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4176, 22 July 1901, Page 2

The trial of Lord Russell.

® London, July 18.-The trial of , Earl Russell on a charge of bigamy in connection with his marriage to Mrs Sommerville, in' Nevada, after going through the formality oi divorcing his first wife Countess Babs, according to the Nevada law, was a great function, 8 Earl Russell claimed the privi- ° lege, which his title carries, of ," being tried by his peers and the ' Court was held in the royal gallery at Westminster. The Lords appeared in their robes with the seven Judges ; the absentees included the foremost members of the Government and " Opposition aud the Bishops/ ; ; Earl Russell pleaded guilty when the formal charge was \ made. His defence was that he consulted the best lawyers in " America with regard to the \ validity of his action. The Earl was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, he to be treated as a first-class misdemeanant, c The King's coronation. London, July 19.—The Stan- ; dard states that it is proposed to invite all the Colonial Premiers to b attend the Corona'ion of the ? King and also to hold a cont ference on Imperial questions o including the commercial relations of the Motherland and the Colonies. King Menelik of Abyssinia has sent King Edward the Grand Cross and Star of Ethiopia. The Russell case. LeNBON, July 19.—Two hundred Peers, including Lord Salisbury and the Archbishop of York attended the trial of Lord Russell, which was a picturesque spectacle. Lord Salisbury overruled the objection with regard to jurisdiction. Russell, pleading guilty, said that he erred in ignorance and was subject to great provocation. . I '"- '„ The Courfe returned a un&niraous verdict of guilty, admitting provocation. Russell has been sent to Holla way for three months. Marriage. London, July 19.—Lieut Colonel Fergusson, eldest son of Sir Jas Fergusson has been married to the Earl Glasgow's second daughter, Lady Alice Boyle. Tardy promotion. London, July ] 9. —Lieut Guy Gaunt of the Porpoise has been appointed to the rank of Commander for his. services in the late trouble in Samoa, The salaries of Governors. London, July 19. —Lord Brassey, being interviewed, said that the salary of the Victorian Governor was sufficient, if he were only expected to perform strict official duties. Rosebery and the Liberal split. London, July 20.—Lord Rosebery, speaking at the City Liberal Club, described Labouchere'o meeting at Queen's Hall as the Lunatic Reform Club. He said the proceedings were a piece of organised hypocrisy. Lord Rosebery* justified the opportuneness of his letter to the City Liberal Club. The schism in the party was traceable fa? less to Irish than Imperial questions and dat^d from the murder of General Gordon. Could any party, be asked, aspiring to the confidence of the people maintain an open mind on a question which stabbed the very heart of tha Empire. He hoped for such party of reform as would befieod from entangling alliance, purged from all anti-National

elements and comprising some of the Unionist ones. Meanwhile, owing to the divisions, he still preferred to plough his furrow alone, but before he reached the end of that furrow possibly he would not be alone. The speech was received with enthusiastic cheers, both the letter and tho speech have created a sensation. Liberals believe that Rosebery comteinplates eatablishinga Democratic Imperialist party. \