A SOCIETY SCANDAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2146, 11 April 1895, Page 21

A SOCIETY SCANDAL.

OSCAR WILDE ARRESTED.

London, April 3

Immense crowds attended the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of libelling Oecar Wilde. The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde had paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis's son), which were found in the pocket 3of his old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelations in these letters.

April 4.

Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that " Dorian Grey " and some article* in the magazine 4i Chameleon," with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted they are merely expressions of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas he said were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged black-mailars L2l, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case is adjonrned. Defendant was admitted to bail.

Oicar Wilde explained the effa&ive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Quaensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which that gentleman responded, " You are the mo it infamous brute in London.

At the hearing of the charge of libel brought by Oicar Wilde against the Marquis of Qaeensberry, Wilde, in cross-examination, admitted that he wa3 acquainted with the young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware that any of them wore gentlemen's servants. He Baid that he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright, happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taj lor and Parker had onca been arrested, but ho contiaued their friendship. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord D juglas when making a voyage to Australia. Wilde said he bad made preEents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked them.

The letters read In court proved that the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavouring to stop his son from visiting Wilde. The eon wired back to his father that Wilde was " a funny little man." The marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied at the time the charges levelled against him, and showed the marquis the door.

Wilde, continuing his evidence, said he wrote to the marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensberry ani the maiquis's son remained unbroken.

Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty stricken, some of them imploring assistance or employment.

The Marquis of Queensbeny wrote to his son saying that be believed he was crazy and suggesting he should leave the country.

April 5

Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied there was anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas's letters showed that he threatened to shoot bis father if he attempted to thrash him. The marquis's letter referred to^an eminent statesman, but the reference was political, Oscar Wilde's case is closed.

Mr Oarson, in opening the defence, declared that plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified tho charges against him. In conclasion, he claimed that the defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief bl. ckroailor, would prove the case to the hilt.

The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry finiabed to-day, a verdict of 41 Not guilty " being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Qieensberry were of public benefit. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and Wilde himself left the court while his counsel was explaining that plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained that th*> reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be adduced. The verdict was received with loud cheers.

Counsel for Hie Marquis of Qaecnsberry has sent the public prosecutor a statement of the witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice, and later in the day O3car Wilde was arrested.

April G.

OiCar Wilde publishes a letter slating that ha abandoned the case in order to avoid placing Lord Douglas in the vu'ness box. After the warrant had been issued for Wilde's arrest the police detained three essential witnesses. Lord Douglas and two men remained in conference with Wilde at the Viaduct Hot6l, Holborn, for several hours after the trial, and lnnched together in a private room. Subsequently they drove to the bank, where Wilde withdrew a large sum of money. He was then lost sight of until arrested in the evening at the hotel in Sioane street.

Lord Douglas was much distressed when he found he was unable to bail Wilde out.

After the trial the Marquis of Queensberry Bent Wilde a message stating that he would shoot him if he took his son abroad. Taylor also has been arrester), and will be charged in conjunction with Wilde. The lalter.'s name has bsen withdrawn from the playbills of London and American Lheatres.

The warrant for the arrest of Oscar Wilde was issued at the instance of the Treasury.

Although Wilde's name has been removed from the playbills the companies continue to play bis pieces for the present.

Oscar Wilde, in his letter to the press explaining his reason for abandoning the case, states that he is willing to bear the ignominy in ordsr to avoid calling Lord

Douglas to give evidence against his father, but says the son was eager and quite willing to enter the witness box. Parisian society is astounded at Oscar Wilde's exposure.

April 8. Since he wa? remanded with Oscar Wilde, Taylor has made statements which are likely to lead to many arreats.