KING SLIGHTLY IMPROVED LORD DAWSON SAYS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 8, 27 December 1928, Page 5

KING SLIGHTLY IMPROVED LORD DAWSON SAYS

ANXIETY AT PALACE NOT ALLAYED.

THERE IS A SLOW " FORWARD MOVEMENT

HIS MAJESTY’S CONDITION IS

STILL SERIOUS

SERVANTS SAW DUKE OF YORK

IN TEARS

(Received 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 2G

After a consultation with his colleagues, Lord Dawson of Penn, indicated in I a statemenfi to journalists that; the King had slightly Improved. Lord Dawson said; “There is a slight improvement; in both the local and general condDtion, it being part of the slow, forward movement.”

Sir Stanley Hew it and Sir Hugh. Rigby have participated in a consultation.

A moderate crowd gathered before ,th e palace despite the heavy rain. There is little doubt expressed however that the King’s .condition ig ; still serious, and the anxiety of the palace staff could readily he seen beneath the attempt to be happy over the holidays.

The King has been alternating between states of consciousness and coma and some servants recently saw the Duke of York in tears outside the sick room after his father was unable to recognise him.—-Aus-tralian Press Assn. A QUIET DAY. LONDON, December 25. The King passed a quiet day. His lotial condition is improving and his strength is maintained, stated a bulletin issued at 8.15 pan. The next bulletin will be issued to-morrow evening. ■ The bulletin has caused nationwide gratification and an atmosphere of happiness and relief throughout. Palace authorities consider the most reassuring sign is that ithe King is maintaining his strength. Extreme slowness of his progress continues, therefore they do not expect any rapid ■advance.

PRAYERS FOR RECOVERY. •/..Meantime in churches throughout the country prayers were offered for the King’s recovery. Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales attended service in the Palace chapel, after which the Irish Guards played old English carols and round the centre gate 3000 persons stood bareheaded, .singing in subdued voices the hymn “Praise the King of Kings.” Tatter-ed-beggars moved in ond out of the throng pleading for alms. For the first) time since the King’s illness began one of (the members of the medical salt attending the monarch, Lord Dawson of Penn, was missing, from the morning consultation at the: palace, but Sir Stanley ■Hewitt 1 and Sir Hugh Rigby spent an hour and a half in the sick doom. The King received members of his family, including the Duke of Gloucester, who was greatly affected by his father's changed appearance. The Prince of Wales left the palace on a motor trip, but arranged to return in the evening for Christmas. family dinner party.

The evening at the palace was devoted to a family dinner .party at which the Royal Family were pve•sent. Sir Stanley Hewitt was (the only outside guest. Lord Lascelles was absent fulfilling engagements in Yorkshire. Princess Elizabeth did n'ot visit the, palace, but played joyously in a nursery full of toys. Elaborate provision was made at the palace for the staff’s entertainment, the Queen being desirous that -J,he King’s illness should not interfere with the festivities. PROCESS OF MENDING WILL BE LONG CANADIAN SYMPATHY. QUEEN’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT,

,- ' ' (Received 10.15 a.m..) LONDON, December 27. It is authoritatively learnt that there! Wa s a further slight improvement in. the King’s condition, both local land general. ‘ It was emphasised that jm ~ provement, though clearly discernable, is very slight. f fho procoes of mending m going to be Lord Dawson, Col. Sir Hugh Bagby, and Sii' Stanley Hewitt consulted fw an hour .and'a half before noon The Queen, replying to -Via • ■ Eenzie King’s message! of n ’P^Y , 01l behalf of Canada, said • Hae W of meeting* preoUted and valued by ms i - 3 ■

iy when, his progress towards recovery is sufficiently advanced, dor him t« receive it personally. The expressions of Jove and devotion of the* Canadian, people, the knowledge of thein prayers and sympathetic solicitude in, the pist anxious weeks and their niesisages with a, note of joy and thankfulness to God lor the King’s hopeful condition, touch me profoundly on this Christmas morning. My children arnF I thank you from our hearts. T look forward to the day when the King will be cheered and strengthened by this testimony that the heart of Canada is with, him in weal and woe. —Australian Press Assn. , United Service.