OPTIMISTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 284, 30 November 1928, Page 7

OPTIMISTIC.

FEELING AT HOME. LATEST BULLETIN. Relief At Check Of Infective Process. BATHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 29. An official bulletin issued at Buckingham Palace at 10.58 a.m. yesterday, timed 10.15 a.m., said His Majesty the King had passed a quiet though rather sleepless night. The infective process is being held in check. Despite the mention of sleeplessness the bulletin has created a distinctly optimistic feeling at the Palace this morning. Great importance is attached to the mention of the check on the infective process. The Duke and Duchess of York drove to the Palace to inquire the latest news, before going to Victoria to farewell the Queen of Spain. Despite the cold and fog an eager crowd gathered to read the bulletin, forcing the police to intervene. The hope is expressed that it will not be long before the King definitely reaches the stage of his illness when the road to recovery and progress must of necessity be very slow. According to this it will be well to remember that in connection with the Prince of Wales' return the presence of the heir in London will be necessary during the prolonged convalescence that His Majesty will have to undergo perhaps in a milder climate.

The present optimism is strengthened by the fact that throughout the week the doctors have seen fit merely to pay the accustomed morning and evening visits. It is cheering to note that tonight's visit lasted less than half an hour, which is the shortest stay since the illness began. Meantime members of the Royal Family are bearing up with wonderful fortitude. One of the most inspiring features is the way they continue to fulfil their public engagements, which has done more than anything else to allay the public anxiety. The only modification thus far in the pre-arranged engagements has been the shortened visit of the Duke and Duchess in Birmingham on Tuesday from three days to one day. It is announced, however, that the Duke will return alone to Birmingham on Thursday for a private tour of the industrial centres. The Duchess will remain because it is noted that she is much in the Queen's company throughout the ordeal. The Queen continues to take a short daily drive from the Palace, and on each occasion she is met by a large and sympathetic crowd at the gates. To-day she was accompanied by Princess Mary and smiled her acknowledgments. Generally the times of departure are when the King is sleeping. To-day was her longest absence and she was away for two hours. Viscount Lascelles called at the Palace this afternoon. The Chief Rabbi has drawn up a form of prayer for the King's recovery for inclusion in the Jewish Sabbath services at synagogues throughout the Kingdom. It is learned that the Duke of Gloucester, who is hunting in the wilds ot' Africa, is in complete ignorance of the King's illness. No message concerning his plans has yet been received in London. It is stated that when the Prince of Wales cabled to Mr. Baldwin that he and his brother were returning be had merely a rough idea of the Duke of Gloucester's whereabouts.

Unfortunately the Duke is traversing country beyond the reach of modern communications and inaccessible to the uiua! transport. It is considered possible that some days may yet elapse before messages from the Prince of Wales overtake the Duke. The brothers arranged a rendezvous about a week hence near Abercorn, which is approximately 900 miles from Dar-ea-Salaam by a forest track. It will, therefore, be impossible for the Duke of Gloucester to join the Prince of Wales on the warship en route for Home. It is learned that should the Duke of Gloucester desire to return, the Government of South Africa has undertaken to arrange speedy transport to a South African port. It is most likely that a special train will convey him from Northern Rhodesia to the Cape. The "Lancet," in an editorial, reveals that though there was no official announcement until November 21 it is understood that the King had not been la quite his usual health since November 17. When returning to London from 6andringham on November 19 he held a council, and on November 20 carried out other duties before seeking medical advice. In France the King's Illness is still followed with great concern. "Le Temps" says that the French nation associates itself with all its heart in the wishes of the British for the King's prompt recovery. It proceeds to remark: "Truly it is a moving character of the testimony of the deep affection displayed by the British people towards their Sovereign."

PRINCE'S PLANS. WAITING AT DAB-ES-SALAAM. Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, November 29. An official notice issued at Dar-cs-Salaam, Tanganyika, states that nothing hat) yet been decided about the departure of the Prince of Wales, who is staying at Government House. His Royal Highness expects, however, to travel in the cruiser Enterprise, which is due to arrive at Dar-es-Salaam from Aden on Sunday. The Prince to-day drove out shopping in the town of Dar-es-Salaam. He was followed from shop to shop by enthusiastic crowds of natives and Indians. It would appear that the Duke of Gloucester has not yet received any of the messages regarding his father's illness. He has been on a hunting expedition and when last beard of was near Abercorn, in Rhodesia. This is about COO niiUs from Dar-es-Salaam and there is no railway communication, so that, even if news reached the Duke, it is not comidered possible for him to reach Dar-es-Salaam in time to accompany the Prixu* oi Wales home*.