THE KING’S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 80, 28 December 1928, Page 9

THE KING’S ILLNESS

PROGRESS MAINTAINED POSITION REGARDED AS FAVOURABLE BUT IMPROVEMENT VERY SLIGHT The present position of the King is regarded as favourable, the slow progress being maintained, but it is emphasised that the improvement so far is very slight.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, December 26. The evening bulletin, issued from the Palace, states tiuu His Majesty had a quiet day and the slow progress in his general and local conditions has been maintained. Another bulletin will not be issued until to-morrow evening. (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 26. -. The present position is still regarded as favourable. The reassuring fact that the doctors consider one bulletin suffleiept to-morrow is accepted as a good sign. It means that little change in condition is anticipated, beyond the slow progress which His Majesty maintains. As long as the doctors are able to report a slight improvement, it can be accepted that the illness is taking the course for which they were hoping. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby were at the Palace for about an hour to-night. Sir Stanley Hewett dined out, but is again staying the night.

CONDITION SERIOUS STILL ANXIETY OF PALACE STAFF (Australian Press Association.) London, December 26. After consultation with his colleagues Lord Dawson of Penn indicated, in a statement to newspapermen, that the King had slightly improved. Lord Dawson said: “There is a slight improvement both in local and general condition, this being part of a slow forward movement.” Sir Stanley Hewett and Sir Hugh Rigby participated in the consultation, a moderate crowd gathering before the Palace, despite the heavy rain. There is little doubt expressed, however, that the King's condition is still serious. The anxiety of the Palace staff could readily be seen beneath an attempt to appear happy over the holidays. The King has been alternating, as his physicians early predicted, between states of consciousness and coma, and the servants recently saw the Duke of York in tears outside the sick room after his father had been unable to recognise him. PROCESS OF MENDING A LONG ONE (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, December 26. It is authoritatively learned that there has been a further slight improvement in the King's condition, both local and general. It is emphasised that the improvement, though clearly discernible, is very slight, and the process of mending is going to be a long one. Lord Dawson, Sir Hugh Rigby, and Sir Stanley Hewett consulted for an hour and a half before noon.

MEMBERS OF FAMILY VISIT BEDSIDE

TEA PARTY FOR PRINCESS BETTY (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 27,'7.10 p.m.) London, December 26. Each member of the family went for a few minutes to the King's bedroom on Christmas morning. The doctors permitted only a brief interview, just sufficient to allow the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and others, to come to the bedside, give the King Christmas wishes, and show the presents obtained for him. The Royal dinner party included the toast of the King. As the Queen was unable to see Princess Elizabeth on Christmas Day, there was an Intimate little tea parly at the Palace to-day for Betty’s sole benefit. She brought a doll which the Queen gave her for a Christmas present, which was duly installed .in a chair between the Queen and the Princess. As soon as she had recounted her list of . presents, the Princess's first inquiry was: “How’s Grandpapa? Is his cold better?” CANADA’S SYMPATHY THE QUEEN’S REPLY (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, December 26. The Queen, replying to Mr. Mackenzie King's message of sympathy on behalf of Canada, said: “The message and greetings will be highly appreciated and valued by His Majesty when his progress .owards recovery is sufficently advanced for him to receive it personally. The expressions of the love and devotion of the Canadian people, the knowledge of their prayers, and sympathetic solicitude during the past anxious weeks, and the message's note of joy and thankfulness to God for the King's hopeful condition, touch me profoundly on this Christmas morning. My children and I thank you with all our hearts, and I look forward to the day when the King will be cheered and strengthened by this testimony that the heart of Canada is with him, weal or woe.”