Editing 6 Apr 1895 - The Globe (London) (section)

==HOW MR. WILDE'S ARREST WAS EFFECTED==
As we stated last evening, Lord Queensberry's solicitors yesterday intimated that it was not his lordship's intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Mr. Wilde, but after the finding of the jury in the libel action the whole of the documents, with proofs of the evidence upon which the defense had intended to rely, were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor. Immediately after the House of Commons met in the afternoon, a representative of the Public Prosecutor had an interview with the Home Secretary, the Attorney-General, and the Solicitor-General in regard to the case.  It was at once agreed that a warrant should be applied for, and Mr. Asquith gave instructions that, wherever Wilde might be found, he should be stopped.

Mr. Oscar Wilde, on leaving the Court yesterday morning, proceeded in company with Lord. A. Douglas and other friends to the Holborn-viaduct Hotel. The party remained in conference in a private room until one o'clock, when they partook of luncheon. At a quarter past two the four men drove off in Mr. Wilde's brougham, which had been waiting outside the hotel for a considerable time. Their destination was a bank in St. James's, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "self".

There was a great deal of excitement at Bow-street during the afternoon, in consequence of a report that a warrant would be applied for. Sir John Bridge was the presiding magistrate, having taken the place of Mr. Vaughan early in the morning. When Sir John Bridge took his seat after the luncheon interval, Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, intimated that he would like speak to him privately. Sir John assented, and the magistrate and barrister carried on a whispered conversation for a few minutes. What actually took place did not transpire, but it was understood that Mr. Lewis intimated to Sir John Bridge that he might have an important application to make to him later in the afternoon. Detective-Inspector Brockwell was also in attendance. With him were two youths whose names figured prominently in the Wilde v. Queensberry case. Sir John Bridge did not return to the Court after disposing of the summonses, but it is understood that he saw Mr. Angus Lewis, Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Charles Russell in his private room, and afterwards granted a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Wilde.

The arrest was made by Inspector Richards last evening at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, to which place Mr. Wilde drove after leaving the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. The Inspector, who had with him Sergeant Allen, made the arrest about half-past six o'clock. On the senior officer asking for Mr. Wilde he was told he was not there; but on the inspector insisting, he was conducted to his room.  Mr. Wilde had with him two friends, and the inspector stated the object of his visit. Mr. Wilde made no reply, and the party at once drove to Scotland-yard to meet Inspector Brockwell, who had the warrant for the arrest. The warrant was read to the prisoner, who made no reply, and after some delay he was taken to Bow-street Police-station, arriving there at 8.10 in a four-wheel cab. Mr. Wilde, who was the first to alight, walked straight into the station, followed by the detectives. He was dressed in a long black frock coat, dark trousers, and silk hat, and did not appear in the slightest way to be affected by the circumstances of his position. He was at once placed in the dock, and stood there with his hands in his pockets while the charge was taken down by Inspector Digby. When the charge ;had been entered Mr. Wilde was escorted to the cells.

Shortly after the prisoner's arrival at Bow-street a friend of Mr. Wilde drove up with a small bag, containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Mr. Wilde, but, after a short interview with the inspector on duty, that gentleman returned to his cab with the bag, not being allowed to leave it. Later on Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow-street to see if he would bail out Mr. Wilde, and appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could his application be entertained. He then offered to procure extra comforts in the shape of bedding for his friend, but this offer was also refused by the office on duty. Mr. Wilde occupies an ordinary cell, but was allowed to supply himself with any extra food he thought fit.

The Marquis of Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended yesterday, he sent this message to Mr. Oscar Wilde: - "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country, but if you take my son with you, I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you."