Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-12
Death of Sir John Thompson, the
Canadian Premier.
EyPlREDSUDDENLY At WINDSOR CASTLE
Had Been at a Meeting OF the
Privy Council.
THE ONE TOPIC IN LONDON

WINDSOR, England, December 12.-Sir
John Thompson. the Canadian prime min
lister. expired here today after the meeting
of the privy council. at which he was sworn
in as q member.
The Canadian premier was the first to
arrive at Paddington railroad station. Lon
don, this morning, In order to accompany
the cabinet ministers and members Of the
privy council on the special train bound for
this place, where a meeting of the privy
council was to be held at the castle. Sir
John waited on the platform Of Padding
ton station for half an hour before the
special train started, and during that time
he conversed in an animated manner with
Lord Breadalbane, the lord steward OF the
queens household. and with Mr.. Arnold
Morley, the postmaster general: the Mar
qris of Ripon, the colonial secretary; the
Indian secretary, Mr.. Fowler, and with Sir
Charles Lennox Peel, clerk to the privy
council.
Up to the time the train started Sir John
Thompson had not shown any signs OF
fatigue or excitement. His appearance and
manner did not give the slightest indica-
ton that he was suffering from any illness.
After attending the privy council meet
ing, Sir John adjourned, with the ministers
and others, 20 luncheon. Shortly after this
ne became Suuueuly ILL., anu cAplIcu
Immediately. DR.. Ellison, one of the sur
geons in ordinary to the household at
Windsor, was sent for promptly, but he
was unable to save Sir Johns life.
had not been informed Of the tragic death
of the Canadian premier. His body has
been removed to one OF the principal
rooms of the Clarence tower at Windsor
castle, where 1T awaits the inquest OF the
crown coroner.
The Marquis of Ripon says that when
Sir John was first seized with illness he
was given some brandy, and appeared to
recover. But shortly after he expired sud-
denly. 1t is presumed his death was caus-
ed by heart disease.
His Last Public Appearance.
Sir John Thompson was one of the
speakers at the meeting of the Colonial
Institute last evening He sat in the re ar
of the hall, and appeared to be in low
spirits. When he arose to address the
meeting it was noticed that he spoke in a
husky voice, and he apologized for the
brevity of his remarks, saying that he was
indisposed Sir John, IN the course of his
speech, said that the enthusiasm displayed
by the Ottawa conference was merely an
echo of that felt through Canada. He
added: I'VE wanted to show the world that
we are a united people, and we have done
so. One of the objects the conference
achieved was to lessen the distance and
the time of communication between the
colonies"
Sir John also referred to the unanimity
of the colonies in offering subsidies, and
said that the feeling of Canadians had
been so aroused about the mail service
that the new project was certain of ac-
complishment within a short time. He
trusted that the influence of the meeting
of the Colonial Institute would tend to the
establishment of still greater unity be-
tween the colonies of the empire.
The speech of the Canadian prime min
lister was well delivered, but it was gen
orally believed that he was suffering from
a cold.
When the representative of the Asso-
ciated Press saw Sir John Thompson after
| the meeting he looked i'll, and appeared to
be experiencing difficulty in breathing
| But; in kindly manner, he said: Il wish
could oblige you with my views upon the
| copyright question, the Importation OF
| Canadian cattle into England, and other
| subjects affecting my country. But until
| the conferences with the Marquis of Ripor
| (he colonial secretary are closed you will
| understand that my lips are sealed. Come
and see me on Thursday. and 1 may ther
| be able to talk"
Sir John Thompson then drove to his
hotel at Keningston and retired immediate
| ly to rest.
The queen had invited Sir John Thomp
| son to dine and sleep at Windsor castle to-
night.
The greatest excitement prevails Al
Windsor castle this evening.
The Topic in London.
| LONDON, December 12.-Nearly the only
| subject talked of this evening at the club:
and government circles is the tragic and
sudden death Of Dir John Thompson, the
Canadian prime minister, at Windsor castle
| Sir Charles Tupper, the Canadian higf
| commissioner is receiving many messages
| on the subject, and expresses the creates
regret at the death Of the Canadian states
| man.