ILLNESS OF THE KING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 1

ILLNESS OF THE KING

Baldly-Phrased Bulletin

SOME PROGRESS INDICATED Whole Nation Anxious THE latest baldly-worded bulletin about the King’s condition seems to indicate that his Majesty is making progress. The lung inflammation ha» been arrested. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Kecd. 9.55 a.m. LONDON, Friday. A bulletin issued at 1.15 p.m. states that the inflammation of the King’s lung shows some improvement and his temperature is at a slightly lower level. It must be noted that the time of possible exacerbation of the infection has not yet passed, and in any case progress must be slow. The doctors reviewed the whole position before issuing the bulletin. The bulletin as cabled is the shortest and least informative since the illness began. The inference is that the doctors said all that was possible. Sir Humphrey Rolleston was not present in the evening and did not join the others this morning until they had been with the King for about an hour. The bulletin, though timed at 12.20, was not issued until one o’clock. The general opinion is that the King is at the particular stage of the illness where a setback cannot completely be ignored. STRENGTH MAINTAINED Every authoritative medical viewpoint stresses that it would be idle to deny that the illness is serious, but all are equally emphatic that a distinctly favourable feature is that there is not one mention of the King’s strength not being maintained. He has not reached the stage when it is possible to say he is on the road to recovery without the danger of a change for the worse. The whole nation is necessarily relying on the scanty bulletins from the medical men, aided here and there by guarded authoritative comment from the Palace officials. The public is perhaps a little uneasy about the constant addition to the bulletins that his Majesty is unchanged, but this largely is due to ihe fact that the people are so keyed ip by loyal anxiety that an indication of even a slight turn toward recovery would moment universal rejoicing. KINDLY MONARCH Even in his serious illness, the King has strikingly revealed the kindliness which has endeared him to humble folk. When "Old Kate’’ called at the Pa.ace and photographs of her appeared in the newspapers, the King saw them and commanded that a let i r be written thanking her for her kindly interest. The letter was handed over by Major Fetherstonhaugb, manager of the Royal Stable at Kempton Park racecourse to-day. When asked about the letter "Old Kate” said: “That’s my business. I am not going *o show anybody. You want to k jw too much. The King always shakes hands with me when we meet on the racecourses.” Old Kate, reported to be a century old, is a familiar figure to London racegoers, from whom the King invariably buys his racecards on Derby Day. According to messages received in London, the Rhodesian Railway's are dispatching a special saloon to Kapivimposhi, near Broken Hill, to await the Duke of Gloucester’s arrival by motor. He will motor from Abercorn, and on arrival at Bulawayo will transfer to a special saloon attached to any train whither he desires. NEW PRIMATE’S LETTER

A leading physician, commenting, euid the bulletin was not informative,

but it would appear that the situation is much the same as yesterday. The bulletin makes it clear that there is still possible danger. If there is to be a crisis, it should be to-day or to-morrow. ' The yew Primate’s first public letter, signed Cosmo Cantuar, has been sent to the Bishop of London regarding prayers for the King. “You have probably received communications in regard to prayers for the King in his illness,” it ran. “We are thankful to know, of course, that he is progressing favourably, but on Sunday and until all cause of anxiety is removed, prayers will be offered in the churches throughout the land for his Majesty’s speedy and complete recovery.” To-day the Queen left the Palace twice, and was absent for two or three hours on private visits. Another bulletin issued this evening shows no change in his Majesty’s condition.

KING’S APPRECIATION

N.Z. MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY Press Association WELLINGTON. To-day. The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, has received the following telegram from the Secretary of State for the Dominions, in reply to his message forwarded for submission to the King: “I am commanded to request you to convey to the Government and people of New Zealand an expression of their Majesties’ grateful appreciation of the kind message of sympathy contained in your telegram of November 24.”

BY SEA AND LAND

PRINCE HASTENING HOME PLAN TO SAVE TIME British Official 'Wireless Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Friday. Sir Humphrey Rolleston, who has been a physician-in-ordinary to the King for the past five years, was called in to participate in this morning’s consultation between Lord Dawson, of Penn and Sir Stanley Hewett. It was stated on good authority at mid-day that his Majesty is a little better all round. The Prince of "Wales will embark for home in the cruiser Enterprise immediately she reaches Dar es Salaam. The Enterprise is expected there to-morrow night or Sunday. The Admiralty makes an announcement of a new plan, by which the Prince will accelei’ate his journey. The Admiralty states that the Prince has practically decided to leave the Enterprise at Suez and proceed b> train to Alexandria, where he will join another of his Majesty’s ships, probably the Frobisher, and proceed to either Brindisi, Naples, or Marseilles. Thence he would travel overland to London.