THE KING GRAVELY ILL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21685, 20 January 1936, Page 11

THE KING GRAVELY ILL

Bronchial and Heart Trouble Cause Concern DISQUIETING bulletins issued Deep Anxiety in Empire and Beyond Anxiety is being felt not only throughout the British Empire but in countries all over the world, for the life of his Majesty the King, who is lying ill at Sandringham House. The King is suffering from bronchial catarrh, affecting his heart, and it is stated that his condition is causing his physicians some concern. An early bulletin stated that signs of cardiac weakness had appeared, which were regarded with some disquiet. The la * est bulletin, issued from Sandringham, is as follows: > "The King had a few hours of restful sleep. The cardiac weakness and the embarrassment to the circulation have slightly increased, and must be regarded with some disquiet.** FREDERIC WILLANS. STANLEY HEWETT. MAURICE CASSIDY. DAWSON OF PENN. A message received early this morning contained the official statement from Sandringham House: • “In spite of a restless night, the King has maintained his strength.” i -A further bulletin was issued yesterday afternoon. , It is suggested that an exaggerated significance should not be attached to the administering of oxygen, and the rushing of supplies to Sandringham, which were mentioned in earlier messages. It is stated that the King, like other sufferers from bronchial trouble, has often been given oxygen in recent years.

(toted rmss association — copyright.; i (Received January .19, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 18. Their Majesties went to Sandringham on December 21. The King first showed signs of a chill on January 15, when Sir Frederic Wiltons was called in. He took a turn for the worse late last night, when it was decided to administer oxygen to relieve his breathing. The King is lying in a specially , heated and ventilated room. It was stated earlier in the day that the anxiety expressed in the bulletin last night persists. The word anxiety indicates that doctors view the King’s condition with considerable concern. It was officially stated at 10 p.m. that there was no change to report on the condition of the King since

eral Evangeline Booth: ‘’His Majesty’s serious illness has deeply distressed Salvationists throughout the world. We plead with the everlasting Father to grant him a speedy and complete recovery.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking at Canterbury Cathedral, said that it would be foolish to deny that there was cause for anxiety in the King’s illness; but there were good grounds fox* hope in his Majesty’s proved powers of recovery, and the knowledge of the experience and skill of his doctors and nurses. “I am sure of the love and loyalty so wonderfully manifested in the Jubilee year will now be expressed by the prayers that 'the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, may bring. him full strength and recovery,” said the Archbishop, “and give trust and confidence to the Queen, and wisdom and skill to those who have the care of him. Let us all pray that the life which means so much to the realm may be restored to full health and strength.” Dr. Amigo, Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark, has ordered special prayers to be said for the King in all the 150 churches of his diocese. Prayers for the King were said to-day in all Jewish synagogues throughout the Empire. The announcement that his Majesty’s, condition is unchanged is regarded as showing that he has not lost ground, although an appreciable improvement is not indicated. Sir Frederic Willans, Sir Stanley Hewett, and Lord Dawson of Penn will remain within call throughout the night. Numbers of residents in East Anglia motored to Dersingham village, near Sandringham, at night, to discover the latest news. Thousands of Londoners silently made the pilgrimage on foot and in motor-cars to Buckingham Palace on a similar errand. In spite of the cold, people stood in little groups, discussing the bulletins. Hundreds of cyclists riding north from a rally at the Albert

the previous bulletin. At midnight it was learned that the King was sleeping peacefully. His condition was unchanged. A further bulletin is pot expected before the morning. Concern' for the King increased all over Britain after the afternoon bulletin, introducing the word “anxiety” and signed by four eminent specialists, who are fighting for his Majesty’s life. . w Hh the King lying ill at Sandringham there is no opportunity for a display of .public feeling on the scale shown in 1928, when thousands continually thronged Buckingham Palace awaiting the bulletins.

Nevertheless scores of people clustered to-day outside the forecourt of the palace, seeking the latest news. People of all degrees of life, including men and women in evening dress arriving in cars, soldiers, and airmen, visited the palace throughout the evening, read the bulletin and departed with troubled faces. Meanwhile, the anxiety about hfs Majesty’s health is repeatedly snown by conversations heard on all sides in the streets and public places, proving how close his wellbeing lies to all hearts. . At Sandringham, where public interest can chiefly be manifested, farmhands _ finishing their work went straight to t Sandringham Ealace and joined the groups of villagers and visitors who had been waiting throughout the day outside the Jubilee gates, hoping for some Sl |n of the King’s progress. Even when the bulletin was put up they did not_ disperse, remaining for a l°ng time wmtching the lighted Windows of the palace glowing across the snow. Eyes were fixed especially on the wlv where the King is gallantly Datthng for life. Before leaving for home, one of the King’s employees, usmg the affectionate title by which his Majesty is known in the neighbourhood, said, “All we hope is that he Squire will have sufficient strength to rally as he did before.” ihus .the happy life at Sandring-

Hall rode to the palace for news. Special prayers were said at evensong at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. The Duchess of York, who is recovering from influenza at the Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park, is in constant telephonic communication with Sandringham. The Duke of Kent will join his family at Sandringham on Sunday.

ham, where their Majesties like to wh get „ Wle cares of State, and rf re King has been happiest : * s Suns and dogs, has been The picturesque house «as become the centre of the Eme.S ‘.. an< f Indeed, of the world’s, dienes. .King’s sudden illness paused a “ a ndonment of a private picS' show in the ballroom last gut, to which many residents had a lnv ked. A shooting party telkcf r *°' c * a y as been can " Q ueen an d Prince of Wales, I?(f , of York, and the Princess * j 3l, saw Majesty several times /l , a y- The two little Princesses tat r ° ie y ioft for London) w r ere sce fbon - grandfather. They \vH !i Vow m affectionately, after bvt> bissed the Queen goodim/#anc * iat they weer lookvrfii 01 WartJ to seeing “Grandpa” a gain soon. PL Maurice Cassidy (formerly lpfPo Clan the King’s Household) , n . Sandringham, and is not exra„le .to return, but undue significe is not attached to this. min- 1 * 3 a * so ex PMined that the adino « e / lng °f oxygen and the rushshniuj Urt h 0r supplies from London ouw not be exaggerated, because k_Xj\ la S> hke other sufferers from oirJ 10 troubles, has often had ffi recent years. occupies a ro6m overta»Tmg tlie P af k, while in the distm« 6 c ? n he seen the little grey J 0 ! the parish church, dating p the year 1150, where the ana f am hy worship on Sundays, offe special prayers will be o ' ln ° i rOW or h* B Majesty’s of letters and telegrams :: w # yhtpathy include one from Gen-

SYMPATHY IN EUROPE

HITLER’S TELEGRAM TO THE KING REGRET OUTWEIGHS FEELING IN ITALY (UNITLL IT.ESS ASSOCIATION—COPtBIOHT.)

(Received January 19, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 18. Hex-r Hitler has sent a telegram to the King, according his heartiest wishes for his. Majesty’s speedy recovery. A message from Rome states that the news of the King’s illness was received with the deepest regret, in spite of the anti-British feeling. It has been noteworthy that even when the campaign has been most bitter, there has been no criticism of the Royal Family. In Paris MM. Laval and Lebrun were informed of his Majesty’s illness. The official spokesman declared that the news had created a deep gloom in France, as the King was held <in the, greatest respect. In Copenhagen the newspapers are publishing long sympathetic articles, and crowds watch for the latest information displayed outside the newspaper offices. The Swiss and Lithuanian Ministers, speaking at a dinner of the Institute of Linguists, expressed the concern of their countries at the King’s illness, the Swiss Minister paying a tribute to the King as “more than any other man the symbol of international goodwill, understanding, and peace.” A later message from Paris stated that news of the King’s condition was given precedence over politics in broadcasts, in spite of the nation’s anxiety to know whether M. Herriot had resigned. From Berlin it was reported that the newspapers were giving prominence to the bulletins, ' expressing deepest sympathy with Britain.

FORMER NURSE ATTENDING

HIS MAJESTY’S QUIET j HOLIDAY j I THE ROYAL FAMILY AT SANDRINGHAM (Received January 19, 11.30 p.m.) j LONDON, January 18. The King’s illness was a complete surprise on the Royal estate. The villagers saw him a day or two ago, apparently in the best of health and spirits. A woman declared, “He looked just as he always does. He wished me in his usual kindly fashion.” The post office at Sandringham was overwhelmed with telephone calls all night. Early this morning a snowstorm blew up, covering the windows of Sandringham House with a white film. The surrounding countryside and roads are thickly covered with snow. The nurses in attendance include Sister Agnes Black, who nursed the King throughout his sei’ious illness in 1928-29, afterwards becoming a permanent member of the Roval Household. His Majesty spent his present holiday quietly, and has not done a great deal of shooting, as is his custom during the New Year visit to Sandringham. The King attended Sandringham Church every Sunday, walking a quarter of a mile to it through Sandringham Gardens. The people were impressed last Sunday by his appearance of good health. Circles in close touch with th" Court emphasise that the King’s illness is not only the result of a sudden cold They point out that the King has for seven years carried on uni emittingly the duties of his high station after his recovery from a grave illness in 1929 of which the strain will inevitably remain, leaving his Majesty more susceptible than others. Death of Sister Nevei theless, in the opinion of those who saw him daily, the King came through the Jubilee celebrations excellently; but in the last month his grief at the death of Princess Victoria has inevitably affected his spirits. The two little Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, have been told that their grandfather is very ill. They left Sandringham for London this afternoon. The sending of the Princesses away is a further indication of the gravity of the illness. The only hopeful feature is the restful sleep reported in the bulletin. The Princess Royal arrived at Sandringham and had a long talk with the Queen immediately. Lord Wigram also arrived from London. The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York are in constant attendance. They saw the King after the medical consultation which preceded the statement in the morning about the continuance of anxiety. The Prime Minister is remaining at Downing Street, instead of spending the week-end at Chequers.

NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY

LORD GALWAY’S MESSAGE TO THE QUEEN HOPE FOR EARLY RECOVERY (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, January 19. The following message has been sent to Queen Mary by the Gover-nor-General, Lord Galway:— The Government and people of New Zealand have learned with great concern of the illness of the King, and they desire to express to your Majesty respectful sympathy in your present anxiety. It is their most earnest prayer that his Majesty may soon be restored to health.—Galway, GovernorGeneral, AUSTRALIAN MESSAGE SYDNEY, January 19. The Governor-General (Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven) has sent the following cable to the King's private secretary; “The Government and people of Australia, and my wife and I, have learned with great regret of his Majesty’s indisposition, and humbly pray for his early and and complete recovery.”