ALARMING ILLNESS OF THE KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 5

ALARMING ILLNESS OF THE KING.

♦ ■ POSTPBNEiVIEHT OF THE CORONATION. CONSTERNATION IN LONDON. AN OPERATION SUCCESSFUMA PERFORMED. DISQUIETING RUMOURS CURRENT. THE LATEST BULLETINS.

HIS MAJESTY'S CONDITION SATISFACTORY.

Yesterday, morning news was , received' in Auckland that the King's Coronation', which was fixed for today, had been postponed, 1 owing to the".,illness.. of His Majesty. The intelligence came as a painful shock to' t'lie whole community, for although the King had previously' been reported' to be' buffering from .lumbago,' necessitating the cancellation of his public engagements, no one supposed that his condition was so alarming, especially in view" Of the' latest cable news respecting His Majesty, which was of art encouraging and- hopeful character. When the first intimation of the King's serious illness a'nd the postponement of the" Coronation was displayed in front of the Herald Office, yesterday, a large crowd speedily collected; and throughout the day groups continued to linger around the bulletin board awaiting with eagerness and anxiety later news. ....... The following are the cable messages which have come' to' hand regarding His Majesty: CORONATION POSTPONED. KING SUFFERING FROM PERITYPHLITIS. THE NEWS IN LONDON. NOT POSSIBLE FOR MONTHS. By Telegraph.— Association.— . London, June 24. The Coronation has been postponed. The. King was operated. on' on Saturday arid has made satisfactory progress towards recovery, but a recrudescence of his malady necessitates a further operation to-day. His Majesty is suffering from perityphlitis, and it is expected the Coronation will be postponed for an indefinite period. The news spread consternation in London, where hundreds of thousands were thronging the streets inspecting the decorations. (Received Jrine 25, 10.10 p.m.)' London, June 25. It was officially announced at the Guildhall that the Coronation was impossible for two or three months.

THE KING'S CONDITION, AN OPERATION PERFORMED. HIS MAJESTY MUCH RELIEVED. MEDICAL BULLETINS. London", June 24. A bulletin issued this afternoon, signed by the doctors, states that no operation was performed on Saturday, when the King's condition was satisfactory. A recrudescence of the trouble occurred on Monday night, and an operation was to be performed this afternoon. The public interpret the bulletin to mean that the King has a growth or inflammation in the region of the vermiform appendix. A later bulletin states that the operation was successful, and was borne well. An abscess was evacuated. The King's condition is satisfactory. A bulletin issued at seven o'clock to-night stated that the King was making satisfactory progress, and was much relieved by the operation.

MESSAGE FKOM THE KING. THE CORONATION CELEBRATIONS. London, June 24. The Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk) has received the King's command to express His Majesty's deep sorrow at the fact that owing to his serious illness the Coronation must be postponed, but to state that the King's calmest hope is that all the celebrations in the country will be held as arranged, also that the dinners be given to the poor. (Received June 26, 12.38 a.m.) London, June 25. The leading provincial centres appreciate the King's thoughtfulness, but intimate that they feel unable to proceed with the celebrations tomorrow. THE LONDON CELEBRATIONS. (Received Jane 26, 12.22 a.m.) London, June 25. Mr. Balfour has announced that the London processions and celebrations are to be postponed, excepting the charitable festivals.

THE NEWS IN ENGLAND. THE NATION TAKEN BY SURPRISE. INTENSE ANXIETY. IMMENSE CROWDS AWAITING THE BULLETINS. (Received June 25, 10.10 p.m.) London, June 25. . The news of the King's condition came as a thunderclap on the nation. It was understood that the King had quite recovered, though the public were suspicions because of his taking his daily drives in Windsor Park in a closed carriage. His Majesty's presence at the banquet to the _,Princes and the reception of the visiting suites on Monday night also appeared to confirm the reports of his recovery, (Received June 25, 10.17 p.m.) „.,.,,., London, June 25. Startling rumours concerning the health of the King were abroad at midday, but the first official intimation was made by the Bishop of London (Dr. A. F. Winnington-Ingram), who at Lord Esher's request informed the clergy and choristers rehearsing at Westminster Abbey, inviting all to join in the Litany from the Coronation Service,- and prayer for the King's recovery. At the close of the Litany the choir sang the hymn, " O God, Our Help iii Ages Past." The St. James' Gazette states that the. King was unwell before starting on his visit to Aldershot on June 14. The physicians attempted to dissuade him from going, but he insisted. The symptoms became aggravated, and at night he had a slight fit, lasting for several minutes. (Received June 25, 10.45 p.m.) London, June 25. Immense crowds await the bulletins, and there are fervent expressions of relief when they are fairly reassuring. Intercessory services are being held. (Received Jnne 26, 12.33 a.m.) London, June 25. The Times states that the Nationalist members of the House of Commons received the news of the King's illness With unfeigned regret.

THE FEELING ABROAD. OUTBURST OF SYMPATHY. MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. (Received June 25, 10.25 p.m.) London, Juno 25. The King's illness has evoked real sympathy in America and throughout the whole of the Continent of Europe, notably Paris. There is dismay and anxiety at Gibraltar, Malta and the colonies. President Roosevelt cabled to the King asking him to accept his sincere assurances of sympathy, and wishes for his speedy convalescence. (Received June. 26, 12.36 a.m. London, June 25. The French Government has notified its deep concern and a hope and desire for the King's recovery. NAVAL REVIEW AND CORONATION HONOURS POSTPONED. (Received June 25, 10.25 p.m.) London, June 25. The naval review and Coronation honours have been postponed. ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Received June 25, 3.41 p.m.) London, June 24. Mr. Balfour informed the House of Commons that the operation on the King had been most successful. It was decided not to adjourn in order not to convey an exaggerated idea of His Majesty's condition. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman cordially approved of this course and the House will therefore sit all the week. THE BANKS. London, Juno 25. In the House of Commons Mr. Balfour stated that the bank holidays for June 26 and 27 must stand, as it was impossible conveniently to alter them. Mr. Balfour later on intimated that though the banks would be closed for two days other businesses were at liberty to resume work. THE TROOPS. (Received June 26, 12.30 a.m.) London, June 25. The troops will be confined to the camps until further orders.