BY THE ENGLISH MAIL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 13

BY THE ENGLISH MAIL

LONDON SUMMARY, SENSATIONAL SLANDER SUITS. London, March 31. The sensational slander suits brought by Baron do Forest, the well-known millionaire, against Mr. Henry Marcus Milner, second husband of the lale Caroline Duchess of Moutro.'-e, niul Lady Gerard, Baroness da Forest's sister-in-law, ended abruptly in judgment being entered for both the defendants with costs. Tho Blander alleged to have been uttered by Mr. Milner, according to the statement of tho plaintiff's counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., was to the effect that tho Baron had "assaulted his wife, treated her brutally, kicked her downstairs, and behaved towards her with so much brutality i-.h practically to jnt'.kn it impossible for her to continue matrimonial residence with him." In his opening statement, Sir Edward Clarko described the career of the baron, who, although he bears an Austrian title, is a naturalised Englishman, was educated at Eton and Oxford, served in tho South African war, and was in January, 1010, ths Liberal candidate for Southport. Baron do Forest married, in l'JOl, a sister o£ Lord Gerard, ami, according % counsel, their happiness was for some years "apparently complete and unbroken." In 190S, counsel stated, the baron had cause to complain of his wife's association with a Mr. Ashton. The baroness, after a nuarral at a ball in Carlton House Terrace, made a confession as to her relations with Mr. Ashton. Husband and wife, however, were reconciled for a time, but afterwards the baroness fled from home, leaving behind her wedding ring in an envelope. Tho runaways were finally found on an island in the Mediterranean. EVIDENCE FOR PLAINTIFF. Baron, de Forest gavo evidence on oath, denying all the allegations, and asserting that his marriage was a most happy one until, his wife's affection for him was changed. Ho said flint when-ho was a Parliamentary candidate, at the Southport election, Mr. Milner had threatened "to make it hot for mo at Southport." Sir Edward Carson, K.C., on behalf of the defendant, objected to the admission of ovidenco by the plaintiff as to the rumours which wcro in circulation in Southport, and the judge ruled that such evidence could not be admitted. Tho Earl of Derby, who gave evidence, said that ha was unable to state in detail wlint the baron was alleged to have done. A witness upon whom the nlaintilf' had relied did not appear, and Sir li. Clarke stated that ho was nimble to prove the publication of the alleged slander. Judgment was then given for the defendant, with costs. In the iccoud acliou, which was not formally opened, a similar judgment was given. During the hearing of the case tho court was crowded with fashionable people. Among those present was Lndy Dorothy Nevilt', whoso books of reminiscences are so well known. Tho Duchess of St. Albans, Lord Gerard, tho Baroness do Forest, Lord Gerard's sister, and Lord Newton were also among those to be seen Jinny of the leaders of tho Ear wcro briefed in the case. Thev included Sir Edward Clarke, K.C.. Mr. F E. Smith, K.C., Mr. Astbury, K.C., and Mr. J. Hargroaves, of the plaintiff, whilst tho defendants were represented by Sir Edward Corson, K.C.. Mr. H. E. Duke, K.C., and Mr. Hugh Fraser. ' £21,000 IN PRIZES. The European Aviation Circuit, which is organised, so far as Great Britain 13 concerned, by "The Standard," has now a prue list of .£24,000. In order to make tho two cross-Channel flights as safe as possible it is intended that there shall bo a very thorough system of "patrols." Probably this will take the form of torpedo boats, stationed at some distances apart, but. extending over the whole sea route, with fast motor-boats running between each torpedo boat. Already offers have been mado of sea-going motor boats for tins purpose, so that with French and English assistance the route should bo very fully covered. Probably also huge bonfires producing enormous columns of smoke will be lit at tho alighting point on tho ccast. In addition, however, to patrolling the Channel, each aviator will be provided with some apparatus to keep him afloat—probably,a large ball inflated with air. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. In the course of a letter to tho Press asking for suggestions from tho public in connection with the movement for an arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the United States, the Lord Mayor writes:—"Among the manv suggestions for obtaining (he national .vote some are in favour of the methods for taking the census, others recommend various,forms of action bv local authorities. It is also suggested that the vote should be taken in connection with the arrangements for the Coronation, as imnartiiig'tlio brightest lustre to that: august ceremony, and consecrating the memory of the Into' Kirso happily known tliromrliont the world by the blessed title of 'The Peacemaker.' I shrill welcome suggestions, either by or rhrnueli the Press, or bv latter ninrk»d Arbitration,' and I shall specially v.-«]-como sugeestions from my muiiichal brethren, the lord mnvors. lord nrovn-sts and mayors of tho United Kingdom." HUGE REVENUE- INCREASE. Tho total revenue receipts up to March 25 according to figures published in the London Gazette," amounted to .£200,789,034, or •£995,0.'M in excess of the total estimated revenue for the whole financial year. Compared with tho same period in the previous financial year, the total collection now shows ■ an increase of i 69.897.912. The revenue of the days intervening between March 25 and the end of tho financial year have vet to bo taken into account. Tho largest increase in the revenue is shown in the income tax, which has risen from - 000 to ,£60,199,090, the greater part of the increase, of course, being duo to tho arrears from the previous year. Estate duties show an increase of 'nearly .£1,509,000, while the excise contribution to the Lxchenuer is tfp by just under .£9,000,000. A FATAL PANIC. A terrible panic, which caused tho loss of two lives and injuries to. fifteen persons, broke out in the gallery of the Hippodrome Picture Palace at Middlesbrough. The panic was caused bv a cry of fire, which was raised bv some persons who saw sparks Hying from the electric fan. There was no actual fire and no dnugcr. There was an immediate rush from the gallery for the stairs leading to the street. Women and children fell over each other in tho mad scramble to get out of the way, and wero trampled on by the older people. There was a complete block at the exit doors, and many people wero injured in flip rush. When finally the police got control of tho panic-stricken people, and tho gallery was chared, it was found that two children had been trampled to death and fifteen people injured. TREND OF INVENTION. The Patent Office report for 1910 shows that there has been no check in the march of invention, and, although this offico has been called tho graveyard of ideas, the proportion of patents sealed to tho number of applications indicates that that is not. tho commercial view. For instance, last year of 20,768 provisional specifications 19,105 wcro completed, and 1G.2G9 were sealed. The ComptrollerGeneral points out that the subject of locomotion is the most prolific source of invention, and this applies more particularly to wheels and motors. Curiously enough, despite the advance in aviation, aeronautical inventions show a diminution, but internal combustion engines for flying purposes exhibit remarkable, development. Some of the more remarkablo inventions are as follow:—Automatic weaving looms, pocket lighters displace matches, tobacco pipe cartridges, miners' lamps for testing fire damp, synthetic chemical rubber, sterilisation of water by ultra-violet rays.—"Standard of Empire." i