THE SOCIETY SCANDAL.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8217, 8 April 1895, Page 2

THE SOCIETY SCANDAL.

London, April 5.

Oscar Wilde admitted olo3e intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anyth ng impoper in i. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas's letters showed ihat he threatened to shoot his father if he a t emped to thra.h him. Tha Marquia's le ter referred to aa eminent statesman, hut the reference was political. Wide'd case ia closed— Mr Carson, in opening tbe defence dtolated tlat the plaintiff's protegeß were amoDg tha most immoral persons in London. Wildes intimacies were absolutely irreconoileable with hia o'aicro as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified tbe charges against him. In conolosion, he claimed tbat defendant's witnessep, among- 1 whom was Wood, the ohief blackmailer, would prove the case up to the hilt. The charge of hba! against the Marquis cf Queensbery was finished to-lay, a verdict of 'not guilty" beiDg returned 1 The Jury c.jrsidered taat she eha r ges made by the Marquis of Qaeensberr.y wtra of publio benefit.

Wilde's counsel withdrew fiom the ca^e, and Wide hinutlf hit the Court v?bi c hie couDßel wa3 explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters juaiflad the plea of the dffeaoe that Wtlde posed ad an immoral person. He explained the reason he withdrew from the cage. It was bo bb to avoid the appalling evidence which would ba adduced.

The verdict waa receive! wiib loud cheers. The Marquis of Queeosberry's oounsal has sent the Public Proaeoutor the statements of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to rreveat a miscarriage of justice. Later. Osou Wilde has b.en arrested. April 6. Oscar Wilde publishes a leiter stating that he abandoned bis oase in order to avoid placing Lord Douglas m the witness box. After a warrant had been issued for Wilde's arrest, tbe police de'ained three essential witnesses ; Lord Douglas and two men remained in conference with Wilde a** the Viaduct Hotel for eeveial hours alter the trial, and lunohed together in a private room, sub- 1 sequtntly they drove to a bank, wheie Wilde ! withdrew a large Bum of money : he was then lost Bight of until arreeted in tbe evening at an hotel in Sloaoe street. Lord Douglas was muoh distressed when he found he was onabta to bail him out. After tbe trial the Marquis of Queensberry sent Wilde a message stating that he would shoot him if he took bie sen abroad. Taylor has also been arrested, and will be charged in conjunction with Wilde. The laser's name has been withdrawn from the p aybills of the London acd American theatre?. [Special.] London, April 4. In ihe oouree of his evidence, Mr Wiide explaiaed the effusive language of the letters addre £ s?d to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry viei:ed his residence and threatened Wilde, to whicb the latter responded with " You are the most infamous brute in London 1"