The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-19
Queen MAY ABDICATE.
Victoria Said to Be Ready to
Make Way for Wales,
She Is Expected to Take the
Step Soon After the Jubilee.

The Coronation or the Prince OF wsie. would
Mothers Death-A Statement from . Person
In the Confidence OF EnHinnd's Royal Pam
is-The Queens bread or the Subtle Ceie-
sratien-welEhed Down by Hcr Duties.
Special Ca6lc Despateh to THE suS.
LoNnoS, June ls.-1t will be understood read
iy that the political consequences of the sad
rhysical intirmity which has befallcn the Queen
cannot fail TO be highly important to Great
Britain. and all the nations of the earth viii re-
crive with the profoundest sympathy and regret
the intimation contained in u statement bearing
on this matter which comes tonight from n high
quarter.
This tatement is virtually a declaration that
Queen Victoria is about to abdicate the throne
which she has occupied with dignity and n
.ingle-hearted devotion to her people and en-
pirc longer than any other monarch. The state
,nent which follows il not official. but it is fur
nished in response to inquiries by a person who
enjoys the confidence Of the royal family. and
who speaks in this matter with full knowledge:
The question of the Queens early abdication
is being discussed in the highest circles. Her
Majesty is stated to be seriously considering the
important step Of resigning the throne in favor
utthe Prince of W ales very soon after the jubilee.
"Her Majesty finds the duties of her position
daily becoming more difficult to I'LL. and she
breads the responsibilities OF next week very
much. although she is unwilling to disappoint
her subjects in the least.
1T is believed that If her Majesty decides to
take the step indicated, rs it is almost definitely
settled that she will. arrangements will be made
to postpone the coronation of the Prince Of
Wales until after her MAjcsty's death in the
usual course
The Suns dispatch published yesterday said
that the Queens blindness was characterized by
film over the retinn. a film that Is not a cata-
ract, and Is attributed TO the equity condition
Of the blood.
One OF the foremost New York specialists in
govt was asked yesterday about the case. He
said:
Not having any data at hand. ii il. of ruurse,
impossible for me 10 give an opinion ON the
Queens Case But this much can be said with
nfety. impairment Of vision. due To a equity
election of the blood Is not uncommon. Gout
may affect tine vision IN three ways. The salts
Of govt may get into the fluids o. the eye by
means Of the blood and thu affect the vision.
TheI. again, the equity condition of the blood
may act directly upon the retina. But the
mosi common effect. 20 far as the eye Il
Concerned. Is the hardening of the walls
o: The blood vessels of the retinA, which
Ultimately destroys the sight. Queen Victoris
ET years old. and the impairment OF her vision
MAJ D. due chiefly TO the degeneration of old
are. She has also been o sufferer from govt. %
that there Is every reason 10 believe that the
report Of her blindness is correct. The action OF
gout or the vision Is gradual. 1t In likely tina,
the Queen has been suffering from an increasing
tiriness OF vision for a long time, and that II Il
Inc announcement and not the attiiction thai
comes suddenly"