THE KING’S ILLNESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 7

THE KING’S ILLNESS.

A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. BETTER ATMOSPHERE AT PALACE CONDITION STILL SERIOUS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received December 4, 12.10 a.m; LONDON, Dec. 3. A bulletin issued at 8.15 a.m. stated:— “A slight improvement in His Majesty’s condition was noted this morning. “ The temperature was nearer normal, but it is necessary to emphasise that anxiety concerning the heart still persists.”VISITS TO THE PALACE. ROYAL ENGAGEMENT CANCELLED. (Australian Press Association.—United Service.) Received December 4, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 3. The doctors paid a second visit to the King at noon to-day. Mr Baldwin visited the Palace at 12.30 o’clock and had a long conversation with Lord Dawson of Penn. Mr Baldwin did not see the King or the Queen, but he conversed with the Duchess of York. Lord Dawson made a third visit at 2.45 o’clock and remained for half an hour. The Duke and Duchess of York have cancelled their visit to Birmingham to-morrow. A big organ in a Tottenham Court Road shop played “God Save the King” as the employees were arriving to-day. Three thousand, from the managing director downwards, joined in the singing of the National Anthem. DOCTOR’S HOPE. MAINTENANCE OF PATIENT’S STRENGTH. (Australian Press Association.) Received December 4, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 3.’ Reports from other sources confirm that there is a better atmosphere at the Palace to-day. The keenest hope of the doctors at the moment is that the King, will maintain his strength in the stern fight against the malady. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, made a brief call at the Palace to-day and left with his face wreathed in smiles. Sir William later stated: —“I do not want to deceive you, or say that the illness is over, or anything of that kind. Things were serious last night, but there is undoubtedly a feeling in the air that the King is better to-day than he was yesterday.” The Queen remained at the Palace all to-day. She was joined at tea by the Duke and Duchess of York.

EARLIER BULLETINS. ANXIOUS TIAIE. (Australian Press Association—United Service). LONDON, Dec. 3. A bulletin at 10.30 a.m. to-day stated that the King had had thi'ee hours’ quieter sleep since the last bulletin. His temperature was then 99.8, and there was a slight improvement in his general condition. The bulletin was signed by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson. A bulletin issued at 12.10 this morning stated that tho King had had some sleep. Anxiety concerning the strength of tne heart still persisted. Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson did not leave the Palace until 3.30 a.m. The King’s household admits that the situation is most anxious. It is authoritatively announced that as far as is humanly possible to say there is no valid reason why there should be any change in the King’s condition for the next twelve hours. OXYGEN ADMINISTERED. NOT AN ALARMING FEATURE. (Australian Press Association). LONDON, Doc. 3. A small quantity of oxygen was administered to the King during the night. Palace officials state that this is not to be regarded as an alarming feature, such administration in simi lar cases being a common practice. It is impossible to disguise that the King’s illness has taken a serious turn. This is emphasised by the fact that a bulletin was issued at midnight for the first time. It is understood that in addition to the bulletin the doctors

transmitted a report to members of the Cabinet. When Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn left at 9 o’clock last night, Professor Whitby, who was first called in a week ago, made a further bacteriological examination, which Sir Stanley Hewetr, Lord Dawson, and Sir Farquhar Buzzard considered when they met in consultation at 10.30. Meanwhile the crowd at the Palace gates was bigger than ever, evidently conscious of the drama within, and speaking in whispers as they discussed the latest news. A double queue reaching into Buckingham Palace Road continuously passed the framed notice. The crowd was so great that the police called in the Guardsmen to keep the people back. Shortly after midnight the crowd was informed that there would be delay in issuing a bulletin, but a large number waited until 12.50, when it was posted. In the meanwhile a procession of motor-cars and taxis wore continually adding to the crowd of people in evening dress. There were the late homegoing people from restaurants and places of amusement. PRINCE OF WALES. HOMEWARD JOURNEY. (British Official Wireless). Received December 4, 11.50 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 3. It is officially announced, that the Prince of Wales, who will leave the cruiser Enterprise at Suez and cross Egypt by train, will continue his journey homeward on the cruiser Frobisher, which will convey him from Alexandria to Bpndisi. Then His Royal Highness will travel overland most probably via Turin, Modane an Paris.