SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 142, 13 June 1878, Page 4

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Early last week the wnrld was informed that H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was to be recalled from his duties in the Mediterranean, and, as was uatnral, many explanations were at once forthcoming of the reasons which had prompted the sfep (snys the World of 10th April). The awkward occurrences at Malta; the obvious inexpediency of expoßinp b Royal Prince to the risk of War; <he embarrass} ng position in which, ihoold war between England and Boisia break out, the Duke would, owing to the family circumstance*, find himself. As none of these hypotheses concerned the personal reputation for judgment and loyalty of his Royal Highness, there wap not the slightest necessity for noticing them in print. They might be false; they might be true; they were plausible; and they were harmless, The rumor which is now in circulation as to the Duke's hasty summons home, and which will be familiar to most readers of these lines, belongs to a different category — is, in fact, of so untoward and painful a character that one may trust it has but to.be formulated aa a printed proposition to receive direct and official contradiction. The Queen's second son then, in violation of the secrecy on all anch matters to wbicb, by.- virtue-, of his office as captain of one of her Majesty's battle-sbips he whs pledged, is said Jo have given one of the princes of Bat-i tenberjr, an officer in the Russian se f 4 vice wbora h^ ha' received on hoard tbeSultnii, «n acvu ■*, .of the English torpedo niTSHs^nu'nu S«ctj is the report which is ci ciliated ami wiiieh'H accepted in English society at this moment, when English society is so pFoifoundly embittered against-Russia. if isr of coorße perfectly clear that, should it be true, the conduotrof his Royal Highness was the result of a gallant recklessness, anl was dictated by ji spirit of patriotic pride at !he perfection of the instrument of English warfare. Nope the less will it be a relief to the World to know that the whole story is a fabrication, and that, not evea tempted by a spirit, however admirablb in itself,, of confidence in* England^ inexpugnable strength, an English Prince violated his oath to his §overjeign in order that ha mi«ht strike conjfosion and dismay into the heart of onia who may at any moment by the leader of England'a»enemieß. ; - \ \