THE KING S ILLNESS.

Grey River Argus, 13 December 1928, Page 5

THE KING S ILLNESS.

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT In General Condition. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn). LONDON, December 11. Official: Since the issue of thc bulletin. there has been a slight change for the better. The Prince saw his father to-night. lhe Prince of Wales arrived in London at 10.18 p.m., and drove direct to thc Palace, arriving at 10.25 p.m. Thorp was no demonstration. Immediately on arrival at the Palace, the Prince of Wales joined the Queen in her apartments. It is stated that at the request of the doctors, he will not see the King to-night. At 11.24, the Prince in company with thc Duke and Duchess of York, left the Palace.

The Prince covered Europe at ah average speed of 44 miles per hour lhe last stages across France were so fast that he reached Boulogne at 6.55, though he was not expected till 7.40. At various important centres, en route, officials were at thc station, but the blinds of his carriage were drawn. From Brindisi t 0 Boulogne, the ..haltrarely exceeded ten minutes sufficient to change engines, and for the Prince to receive the latest news of thc King. H e lived entirely in the train for 30 hours. Such was the magnificent or ganisation in the three countries, that the journey was traversed without a sitch. It is reported that at times during the night, the Prince was particularly restless, and walked in his special compartment in his pyjamas, smoking incessantly. When he was in bed he had little sleep. This morning he was up and dressed before he reached Lucerne at 6.30. He refused t 0 allow photographers to approach the carriage. At Chaumont he obtained English newspapers, which he eagerly read. lie ate little lunch, and contented himself with drinking water from tim e io time. The Prince, when he received better news of the King at Laon. appeared greatly relieved. He read the despatch and warmly clasped the hand of the official bearer. He also received French officials, assuring them he was happier since receiving the despatch. On leaving Laon the Prince’s spirits were indicated by the raising of the blinds which had thus far been drawn.

His arrival at Boulogne was in ample time for th e ordinary transChannel steamer Biarritz, and he decided to return on it,'instead of a destroyer. As he was making his way to thc gangway, photographers took a flashlight exposure. The crowd instantly demonstrated its displeasure at what it considered an intrusion. Thc Prince was reported to be too disturbed to dine aboard thc vessel. Indeed, since leaving Brindisi, he barely touched food. LATER. A bulletin, issued at 11.15, stated:— The King has had several hours’ sleep. The temperature remains high.. but there is no further impairment in hi strength.—Hewett, Dawson. The bulletin has not removed the anxiety existing at the Palace, for though the fact that there was no impairment in strength indicates that the ravages of the fever on the King’s strength have been for moment arrested. anxiety and concern persist, be cause the temperature remains high, which means the position in regard to infection has not improved. Lord Dawson and Sir S. Hewett re turned to the Palace at three o’clock. Then Central News Agency says it is reliably understood that His Majesty’s condition is unchanged, since thc morning. The possibility of the Prince’s seeing the King to-night depends whether His Majesty is sleeping, or is fit to be visited. POSITION RETRAINS SERIOUS. LONDON. December 11. To-night’s bulletin though unusually brief, is stated to have been better than had been expected in Palace circles. At the same time, it is authoritatively pointed out that anxiety has not diminished. His Majesty is still putting up a magnificent fight against his illness, and to-day has held his own against the forces which threatened to weaken his constitution, but it must be remembered that his strength is undergoing a severe strain, a’nd the position unfortunately remains serious.

The bulletin was signed by only twi doctors. Sir S. Hewett arrived at the Palace at 7 o’clock, and Lord Dawson at eight, which is the latest hour at which he has yet called. They concluded the consultation, and Sir E. F. Buzzard returned to the Palace. NO INCREASE IN EXHAUSTION. LONDON, December 11. At bulletin issued at 8.30 stated that thc King had a quiet day. Th re was no increase in exhaustion, and the public remains steady. Although authoritative circles do not regard tomight’s bulletin as reassuring, the Daily Express medical correspondent says: Although th.* bulletin does not mention temperature, the fact that the King had a Quiet day, suggests that his temperature is satisfactory. The other items anj encouraging, and we are justified in regarding it as a distinctly good "bulletin.

•Sir Joynson Hicks, reading the bulletin at the Imperial Club dinner, said “I am sure we rejoice at even the slight additional hope tonight s annotunc>’ment gives us.’’ ‘•lt is understood that the Queen is fulfilling the Tower Hill Memorial engagement tomorrow. Princess Man' attended a charity concert at the Green Park Hotel tonight. A MOBSJ HOPEFUL BULLETIN. (Received December 12, at 11 p.m.) LONDON. December 12. The Central 2T ws the King had a better night. He was able to obtain some refreshing sleep, and there is au improvement in his general condition. The anxiety which n ached a climax ojn Monday, burst with last night’s bulletin.

This morning’s unofficial news is better reading than any for the past week, coinciding with the Prince’s return, which is regarded as a happy omen.

The weather is ch orlcss ajid raining in the precincts of the Palace. PRINCE’S HOMECOMING. (Received Ded mber 12, at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 11. As soon as the Biarritz docked, thc Prince- 'of Wales was the first ashore He met Mr Baldwin, Sir L. Worthington Evans, and Admiral Halsey. The party immediately walked to tr.e special train. The blinds were drawn, and it departed three minutes after arrival, with the liii clear for the jourfi6y to London ninety in minutcu. Several thousands at Victoria S\’. tion accorded the Prince of Wales thin os t touching homecoming ever received from the capital. The people were subdued, and brimful of sympa thy. with only one subject for diseusion, the King’s illness and the son’s wonderful race practically half way across the world. As soon ns the special train approached the platform, the Duke of York walked from a spe rial waiting room, and stood a lone figure watching the arrival. The Prince of Wales was the first to alight, followed by Sir Godfrey Thomas. With a bright smile, the Prince of Wales shook hands with the Duke of York. He looked exceptionally fit, but natur ally tired and worried. Ceremony entirely dispensed with, the Prince of Wales turned and left the platform. He and the Duke of York, entering a motor car, drove quickly away.

Nevertheless the Prince of Wales did nest forget to acknowledge ine hug! crowd at the staiion Special traffic arrangements had been made io enable a. speedy departure of the car, which swept out of the station yard, and arrived at Buckingham Palace within eight minutes. It drov i to the front of the Palace, befor € disappearing. The great crowd showed its sympathy by respectful silence. There was no cheering on d‘.monstration. The Prince, on arrival, immediately was shown to the Queen’s apartments, where Her Majesty was waiting. The Prince as he drove into th courtyard, was engaged in anxious conversation with the Duke of York. Evidently the news conveyed, profoundly moved the Prince of W al’s, because without wasting a moment, he jumped from the car and stode hurriedly into the Palace. Princess Mary and the Duchess id York had enter'd a~Tew minutes before. The scene on the meeting of the Queen and her eldest son, can only be left to imagination, as no one witnessed it. It was learned subsequently tltat at th/ , > doctor’s request, the Prince did not see the King. Sir F. S. Hewett and Lord Dawson were both at the Palace, and had a long conversation with the Prince Drs Buzzard and Hodgson were both at the Palace tarljir in the evening, and left shortly before the Prince of Wales’ arrival.

The fact that the Prince of Wales saw liis father tonight is taken as a reassuring sign, while an authorita tivi.i announcement just before midnight, that there had been a slight change for the better in the King’s condition, is the most encouraging announcement for two days. The Prince of Wales spent only an hour at th i Palace altogether, and left with the Duke and Duchess of York in a motor ear. He was bare leaded as he left. He remained at York House a few minutes, and afterwards drove in his own car to Saint J nines Palace.

Next to the King’s illness, nothing has aroused the nation more than th” Prince of Wales’ record breaking dash ending in London at 10.18 tonight, when he showed signs of fatigu? from the long anxious journeyThe feeling of the country is crystallised in newspaper editorial comments. The Daily Express says: “The Country is* of but one opinion. that lhe Prince, on the journey, did th < right tiling in dropping everything, anl hastening without ceremonial and all possible speed to his father’s bedside. He acted as became the son erf such parents, is fellow subjects, who have watched every stage of his headlong homeward rush with anxious sympathy, are profoundly thankfu he is now where should be.”

The Morning Post says: Th< Prince’s return will be greeted with i sigh of relief by the nation. The Prince has nevf r run a more wonderful race than the headlong six thousand miles from" Dares Salaam to Lon don. He raced for nine days, against his father’s illness, and that fashould win, may be taken as a goo-: omen. The PrincP’s cheerful courage and youthful optixni.-m, will be good medicine fo.r the invalid, and a great ’Consolation to the sorely trit J Queen.

IMPRESSIVE SCENE AT RUGBY MATCH. LONDON December 11. An impressive scene was witnessed prior to the commencement of the Oxford v. Cambridge Rugby match at Twickenham. Forty thousand spectators. led by a band, and the players, stood bareheaded and sang the National Anthem.