The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED. The Evening News and The Echo. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1902. THE KING'S ILLNESS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 149, 25 June 1902, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED. The Evening News and The Echo.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1902. THE KING'S ILLNESS

Fop the cause that lacks assistance For the -wrong- that needs resistance Fop the futu.ro in the distance And the good that we oan do.

The news received this morning announcing that the Coronation ceremony has been postponed indefinitely, and that the King was operated upon on Monday, for an abscess in the intestines, will he received with profound regret throughout the Empire. For several months past rumours have been current that the King was suffering- from a serious malady, and one medical journal went so far as to indicate the ailment

specifically as cancer of the throat. This elicited a positive denial, issued upon the authority of Sir Frederick Treves, the King's surgeon, and His Majesty's constant appearances 'in public, and active participation in

functions involving a good deal of fatigue, discredited the rumour. So recently as the 11th of June the King dined with Mr. Choate, the American Ambassador, and on the 14th inst. he

made two important speeches at Buckingham Palace when ' receiving deputations from the Corporation of London and the London County Cotin-

cil, conveying their congratulations upon the declaration of peace. On this occasion he expressed his thankfulness to Almighty God at the termination of the struggle. He recognised the sacrifices, the admirable

fortitude, and the spontaneous exertions of his .subjects at Home and beyond the seas, their action contri-

buting to the increased unity and strength of the Empire. He also referred to the valour and endurance of the troops who had been opposed by a brave and determined people.

He rejoiced to think that they would become our friends, and earnestly hoped that by mutual co-operation and goodwill the bitter feelings of the past will speedily be replaced by ties of loyalty and friendship. And he looked to the introduction of a system of g-overnment which, with God's blessing", would bring South Africa peace, and that prosperity would follow it's establishment ill every quarter of the globe. The first intimation of any indisposition which threatened to interrupt the Coronation ceremony was conveyed in a Court Circular issued on June 15th, which stated that the King would be unable to attend' the review at Aldershot on the following day, owing to an attack of lumbago, caused by a chill. It was reported that His Majesty became un-

well on Saturday night after witnessing a torchlight procession and waiting for a few moments in the rain for his carriage. The "London Standard" on the 16th stated that

there was no cause for anxiety regarding the condition of the King, who had been somewhat run down latterly through constant attention to State duties. Two days later, how-

ever, public apprehension was fairly

aroused when it became known that Lloyds . had raised its premium from--4 guineas to 20 guineas per cent, to insure that the Coronation procession would take place before the end of July. Everyone realised

that an enormous rate like this to cover the risks of an event fixed to take place only a week ahead must indicate much more serious illness than had been officially disclosed to the public, and the fact that in levying such a rate the period covered allowed of a postponement for a month without creating any liability under the policy, gave the fact a greater significance. It would appear from the news received by cable to-day that the ailment which the King is Suffering from, although serious enough, is not, like cancer of the throat, an incurable malady. The trouble, we learn, is perityphlitis, or inflammation of the caecum—the blind part of the large intestine beyond the entrance to the small intestine, which ends in the vermiform appendix. An operation was performed on Monday, when an abscess that had formed was evacuated. Although the operation is stated to have been successful and the patient's condition satisfactory, it will be some time before the effects of such a severe strain upon the King's constitution can be finally known. . The secrecy which has been observed with regard to the condition of the King's health is easily understood. Even his medical advisers do not appear, to have .suspected until within the last few days the real cause of the trouble, otherwise His ' Majesty's engagements would have been very differently arranged". But the ailments of Royalties are invariably kept secret as long as possible, owing to the dislocation in tho even course of public affairs which publicity entails. The feverish unrest which will -._i caused by the King's illness

throughout the Empire might well lead His Majesty's advisers to postpone a definite announcement until it could no longer be delayed. In the case of the late Queen, it is now known that her health had occasioned anxiety for months before the outer world received ' the smallest inkling of the fact, and the death of the Duke of Goburg came, as* a surprise, although subsequent disclosures proved that he had suffered from a fatal disease,for. a considerable period. Earnest prayers will be offered throughout- the Empire that His Majesty King' Edward will be restored to healthy and be long- preserved to rule over his world-wide dominions. No ; living monarch exercises a greater or more iiseful influence in European politics than he does, and his life can be ill spared. It is inexpressibly sad to think of him lying on a bed of suffering, at the .very moment, when he should be riding through the streets of the capital amid frantic demonstrations of affection and loyalty. The message he has sent to his people—more especially the hope he expresses that the entertainments arranged for the poor will not be deferred on account of,his illness-—is deeply > touching, and medical bulletins announcing the progress of his ailment will be with, intense anxiety.