KING FACES SERIOUS DAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 534, 11 December 1928, Page 1

KING FACES SERIOUS DAYS

BULLETINS GLOOMILY CONSTRUED HEART AFFECTED BY THE ILLNESS PRINCE ENTRAINS AT BRINDISI FOR HOME J ATEST reports of the King’s condition are as gloomy as L they have been. J Last night’s bulletin was not so satisfactory as the morning one. It said the heart is now affected. Days of grave anxiety have been entered upon. (United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. Noon. LONDON, Monday. A bulletin issued at Buckingham palace at 11.45 a.m. by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn s'ated: — “Although his Majesty the King passed a disturbed night there has been some fall in his temperature this morning. “There is also a slight improvement in his general condition. Anxiety, however, must continue.” Although the first part of the bulletin appears to indicate some improvement, more importance is attached to the phrase, “Anxiety must continue.” Indeed, to-day and the next few days are regarded as likely to be very serious ones. Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn consulted for over two hours this morning and returned at 2.30 p.m. It is understood that the King’s condition has not changed since the morning. A bulletin issued at 8.45 p.m. said: "The King had a quiet day. There are signs that the lung has improved. Fever persists, though it is not so high as yesterday, being due to some return of the general infection, this necessarily affecting the condition of the heart.” A serious view of the situation is taken at the Palace. To-night’s bulletin is regarded as less satisfactory than this morning's.

where the words o£ his own physicians were that his life was in danger. To-night’s announcement was signed by the four doctors. It is regarded as less satisfactory than the morning one, when the psysicians admitted anxiety. A disquieting feature is the reference to the return of the general infection. Just how serious this aspect may be is told in the words of the authoritative statement at the week-end, in which it was stated that his Majesty was in a safer position than at the previous weekend. on account of the fact that the infection had localised, whereas previously it had been ragiDg in the whole system. The return of the general infection, therefore, and the unfortunate spread of poison from the Tung to other parts of the system means that the heart will again be subjected to a severe strain at the period when it is least able to bear it. The four doctors were in consultation for 90 minutes. Lord Dawson left immediately after the consultation. Sir Humphrey Rolleston and Sir E. F. Buzzard remained at the palace for dinner, Sir Stanley Hewett again staying the night there. The Duke and Duchess of York again dined at the Palace. ANXIOUS CROWDS The less reassuring news led to the return of anxious crowds outside the Palace. When the morning bulletin was posted, so great was the anxiety to read it that the whole area was blocked by a solid mass of cars for several minutes before the police straightened out the traffic. . Crowds gathered to-night, despite the intense cold. ! The King’s sister, Princess Victoria, called at the Palace this afternoon and saw the Queen. A number of Lancashire and Cumberland engagements which Princess Victoria postponed to December 13 have again been postponed to the New Year. Thus far there is no notification of the Queen cancelling her prearranged ceremony at Tower Hill Merchant Navy Memorial on Wednesday. PRINCE AT BRINDISI CRUISER’S ROUGH PASSAGE TRAIN JOURNEY BEGUN (United, C.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright} | (Australian and A7.Z. Cress Association) | Reed. 9 a.m. BRINDISI, Monday. The Prince of Wales arrived by the | cruiser Enterprise at 11.40 a.m. and entrained at 12.30 for London. The last stages of the Enterprise's : voyage were exceptionally rough, the cruiser shipping large quantities of water. The journey was so difficult that the commander asked the Prince if he wished to continue through the storm. “Yes, go ahead,” the Prince replied. As the Enterprise entered the harbour, she gave the customary 21 guns, which were returned from the fort battery. The Prince, pressed half in tropical and half in European dress, returned the Fascist salute with a military one He looked well, but there was no characteristic smile in acknowledgment of the greetings. Despite the rain, a large crowd watched him cross from the cruiser to the train. A hundred Italian sailors, and a company of infantry and air force men lined the short route, but at the Prince’s request there were no military honours. He went straight to his carriage, and did not appear at the window, as the train left barely five minutes after his arrival. ONLY ONE STOP The train stopped at Bari for a few moments and the Prince alighted and gave the stationmaster a telegram to dispatch to London. As is the case in Italy, all the lines in .France have been cleared for a rapid passage. There will be only one stop to change engines. The Prince will not need to leave the carriage. The train is expected at Boulogne at 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening. NO CEREMONIAL The Prince’s special desire is to have his arrival both at Dover and London without demonstration, and without formality, and without ceremonial. His instructions are being strictly carried out. No one will meet him at Dover except Sir Lionel Halsey. There will be no official reception. At Victoria, the public will be excluded from the platform. No official representative will be present. The Prince will walk direct from his carriage to a waiting motor-car. Whether he will drive direct to Buckingham Palace or first proceed to York House will be decided by the Prince himself. His decision will depend on the latest news of the King. The Prince is expected at London at 9.55 on Wednesday, though in view of the urgent effort to speed him across the Continent he may be earlier. Workmen are carrying out alterations at York house now night and day, in order to be ready for the Prince’s unexpected return.