GAMES OF HAZARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 71 (Supplement)

GAMES OF HAZARD.

EX TEA OR DI NARY EVIDENCE AT A TRIAL IN GERMANY. BERLIN, December 6. Herr Schwetznert, the editor of the Oldenburg "Residenzbote,” ha s been sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment for writing an article alleging that, the Minister of Justice iu the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg had committed perjury in stating during a recent trial that he (the Minister) had not played games of hazard since he has been called to his present post. About a year ago the "Residenzbote” published a statement that the Minister, Herr Rubstrat, was a notorioiis gambler, and played games of hazard in a public restaurant in Oldenburg. Herr Ruhstrat brought an action for slander, and Herr Schwetznert was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. _ The action which terminated at Oldenburg vesterday arose out of a second article" written by Herr Schwetznert, in which he stated that Herr Rubstrat, in

swearing that he had not played game® of hazard had been guilty of swearing what lie knew to he untrue. At this trial Herr Ruhstrat, who wa9 hacked by several friends, again swore that Herr Schwetznert’s allegations were false. On the other hand, a witness named Meyer swore positively that he had seen Herr Rubstrat play games of hazard. As he adhered to this statement, the president of the court ordered his arrest on a charge of perjury. The evidence of several other witnesses gave a scandalous account of the gaming habits indulged in by Oldenburg society, Herr Ruhstrat was declared to be thp raehest gambler of them all. Judges lawyers, officers remained at the tables tm day broke. They borrowed money from the waiters and the landlord, ana. Herr Ruhstrat himself was among the borrowers. One officer who had lost 3000 marks drowned himself. One of the freaks the company indulged in was throwing three and five-franc pieces at the head of any waiter who approached too near the tables. In cross-examination, Herr Ruhstrat admitted that he had played poker, but this, he stated, was not a game of hazard, but a game of skill and nerve. German Courts, he added, had left the question undecided.

The trial was full of dramatic scenes between Herr Schwetznert’s counsel and the president of the Court, which ended in counsel throwing up their briefs. It was contended by counsel that as the Court were all personal friends of Herr Ruhstrat’s, some of them also frequenters of the same gaming tables, they were not competent to deal impartially with the evidence. Herr Schwetznert, who appeared in. court, was unable to give evidence, as his health had quite broken down in gaol, where he was obliged to work elev«B hours daily at .straw-plaiting. The trial has created a profound sensation throiighout the country, and will be the subject of a debate in the Reichstag.