Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-05
LETTER FROM KING EDWARD
Expresses His Gratitude to the
 Whole English People.


 sage Has Been Sent to the People of 1ndia-The King, It Is Said. Has Cancer of the Throat. London, Feb 5.-King Edward has Sazetted the following to his subjects throughout the empire:
 'Io My People:
 NOW that the last scene has closed ln the noble and ever-glorious life of my beloved mother, the queen, I am anxious to endeavor to convey to the whole empire the extent of the deep gratitude 1 feel for the heart-stirring and afectionate tributes which have everywhere been borne to her mem- ory.'
 After alluding to the common sor- row. the king ends by again pladginS ito walk in the footsteps of the late queen In the fulfllment of my great responsibilities
 The king has sent the following mes sage to all the British colonies and dependencies:
 'Io My People Beyond the Seas-The countless messages of loyal sympathy that 1 have received from every part of my dominions over seas testify to the universal grief in which the whole empire now mourns the loss of my beloved mother.
 ''In the welfare and prosperity of her subjects throughout Great Britain the queen ever evinced a heartfelt inter- est. She saw with thankfulnesS the steady progress which. under the wide extension of self government, they had made during her reign. She warmly appreciated their unfailing loyalty to l>,> nd to think of those who had so nobly fought and died for the empires cause in South Africa.
 q have already declared that 1t will be my constant endeavor to follow the great example which has been be- queathed to me. In these endeavors 1 shall have confident trust in the devo- ton and sympathy of the people and or their representative assemblies throughout my vast colonial domin- ions With such loyal support will with the blessing of God solemnly work for the promotion of the common wei fare and security of our great empire, over which I have now been called to reign.
 "EDWARD"
 The king-emperor has sent a special message to the people of India and oA native states. He refers to the late queens special interest in India, to his own visit to that country. to the deep impression he received there and to his purpose to follow the queen empress in working for the well being of all ranks in India.
 London. Feb 5-King Edward is victim of cancer of the throat. There is absolutely no doubt of this, and the best specialists in the kingdom agree that his days are numbered. His case is exactly similar to that of the late Emperor Frederick of Germany, and also that of the Duke of Edinburgh. Sir Felix Semon, who is in regular at- tendance upon his majesty and sprays his throat at frequent intervals, Is au- thority for the statement that the dread disease runs in the family of the king and that there is absolutely no hope of his recovery. The story is told throughout London and Sir e. lix, who is acknowledged to be the greatest throat specialist Of the em- Dire. keeps constant watch upon hls royal patient. On the Monday before the queens death the kings throat was very bad, and it was with difficult tv he could articulate. When it be- comes necessary for him to make speech. however short, his physician treats the throat for some time, spray ing it with astringents and medicines. At the meeting of the privy council some days ago it was almost impossi- ble for King Edward to speak at all, and it was with the greatest difficulty he got through the trying session. His majesty knows he Is doomed, but looks forward to his fate with superb cour- age and bears up bravely.