New-York tribune., 1901-10-16
THE KINGS HEALTH.
PESSIMISTIC TALK NOT BORNE OUT BY
FACTS
CORONATION PLANS SITUATION IN SOUTH
AFRICA-RAILROADS
Copyright; 1901: By The New-Yock rrtbuneo

AFRICA-RAILROADS
Copyright 1901: BY The New-Yrk Trfbune3
GBY CABLE THE TRIBUNEl
London, Oct 16, 1 a m.-There has been
marked revival of the unfavorable reports re-
garding the Kings health but it is irresponsi-
BILE gossip, based hearsay evidence The
courts functionaries and hospital surgeons can
not learn from any authoritative source that
the King is materially worse than he was be-
fore he left London for Germany.
There has been great increase in pessimistic
talk in London clubs. but the facts relating to
the Kings condition have not altered and the
ailments reported from Balmoral are not seri-
Gus.
Preparati tions for the coronation are in prog
ress. and the King is taking direct and hearty
interest in every detail Those who have been
In consultation with him report that his voice
is strong, and that he shows no symptoms Of
any incurable malady. His mind is clear. his
orders are explicit. and. except for perceptible
increase of irritability his manner is the same
as it was during the early months of his reign.
Current reports respecting the Kings declin-
ing health without doubt premature and
unauthorized. The King will speedily come to
London and silence the alarming rumors, and
will convert the return of the Duke of Cornwall
and York from Canada into an imperial func-
ton.
The news from South Africa is scanned daily
by military men with intense interest in ex-
pectation that Boer reprisals for the executions
of Cape rebels may be recorded. Some of the
most experienced soldiers assert that they
would describe General Botha's unsuccessful
raid the last flash of Boer hostties if
so. many of their previous predictions had not
been falsifed. They convinced that Lord
Kitchener is making strenuous efforts to bring
hostilities to close before the end of the year.
and that the Ministers most anxious to Sc
cure this result. and to that end have allowed
him to adopt strong measures in dealing with
Cape rebels
About ten thousand Beers and rebels remain
In arms. Botha is apparently hard pressed.
and General French is only confronted with a
fragment of commanders and small squads of
rowing guerillas.
De Wet and Steyn have disappeared from the
border Of Natal. after an unsuccessful at
tempt to cooperate with Bothas invasion
Pronouncements OF bank directors about the
South African war are always interesting.
Sir Spencer Walpole. presiding a the meet
ing of the Standard Bank of South Africa, at
the Cannon Street Hotel yesterday. pointed out
that the war tended to create trade. There was
evidence of this trade in the fact that Brit
ish exports to South Africa in the first six
those in the first six months in the 1899 period
In the last two and One-haf years banks had
imported f11OO0OOO Of coin into South Africa,
ana their reserves now showed only an increase
OF 100000. 1t was obvious. therefore. that
the 100000 required to be accounted for. Mr..
Walpole said thai his explanation was that
there probably a large amount of cash
boarded in various parts Of the country await
ing the re-establishment OF peace.
The prospects OF British railways at last
beginning TO brighten, owing to the adoption of
various methods OF economy in order TO COM
pensate for the reduced gross earnings on some
OF the leading lines. Heavier engines and larger
and more solid trucks are being introduced for
the purpose Of increasing trainloads and dimtn-
ishing train mileage. BY this means II is ex-
pected that the net revenues Will show i'm
provenent especially since there has been an
extensive reduction in the cost OF coal.
I. n. F.