ROYAL PATIENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 2

ROYAL PATIENT

POINT OF GREATEST DANGER. ANXIETY OF THE NATION. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received December 4, 2.90 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 3. Although every effort lias been made both in the official bulletins, and in the comments of the newspapers to allay anxiety., the doctors’ continued reference to their anxiety as to the strength of His Majesty's heart lias caused intense uneasiness to tlio nation.

The crowds outside the Palace tonight are greater than yesterday. A special forco of mounted police appeared to-day to regulate the public. This morning the feeling of relief had been replaced by renewed anxiety. Tho position was accurately summed up by Mr Lloyd George when presiding at a dinner in honour of the Englishspeaking Union. “I have never in my whole life witnessed such intense concentrated anxiety on the part of all classes of the population,” stated Mr Lloyd George. For the first time since the illness of the King anxiety has prevailed on tho Stock Exchange. Thus far His Majesty’s illness has had little effect on the actual business, but, nevertheless, the psychological aspect is slowing down speculation. The Evening Standard, editorially, states: “The point of greatest danger has been reached.” The newspaper recalls “how ill-placed chance finds the Royal family scattered. The Queen is thus deprived of tile support of her sons during tho crisis which, to a wife and mother, as well as a queen, is a sore affliction.” Mr J. R. Clynes, in a special article m the Daily Telegraph, says: “The scenes outside tlic Palace express the solidity and dignity of the national character —the truest tribute to one of the world’s most correct and responsible rulers. It has often been said that the Empire is a Republic disguised with a crowned head who is no more than a figurehead in times like the present, the speciousness of the remark is seen in the truest light, for the personal attributes of monarchy, which are so easily and unconsciously taken for granted, are realised at a time of crisis and mean very much to everyone regardless of party policy or class.

The Daily Express says that it was stated in well-informed circles to-night that the pleurisy had disappeared.