The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-27


London, June 24-With dramatic
suddenness the king has been stricken
down upon the eve of his coronation.
Tonight he lies in a critical state at
Buckingham palace.
1ndeScribable CONSERVATION prevails
throughout the country and this con.
sternation is reflected in the cable
grams received from all the centres OF
the universe.
King Edward is in d room facing the
beautiful gardens of Buckingham
crowd. If tonight's progress is main
tanned he will probably tide over the
effects OF his severe operation which
has successfully relieved the local
trouble. But should any complication
occur, such as septic peritonitis or
blood poisoning, it is feared his ma
jesty's present physical and nervous
condition would prove unequal to the
strain involved. There is consequently
intense anxiety as to the outcome The
kings doctors believe that his majesty
would have been dead before now eX-
cept for the operation. His condition
became so alarming last night that at
one time it was feared death might
enSue before the surgeons knife could
afford him relief. Intense swelling OK
the extremities, accompanied by alarm
ing symptoms of modification, consti-
tuted the emergency which demanded
an immediate operation To the last
the king tried to avoid this and he was
to He -icAl fn hn "a
the coronation ceremony in order that
II should occur as arranged The in
fluence of Queen Alexandra was enlist
ed, however, and at an early hour,
this morning, the royal patient was
prepared for the operation which, even
in the skilful hands of EnSland's best
surgeons. was fraught with grave daI:-
ger.
Shortly before ? o'clock this after
noon his majesty was moved from his
couch to the operating table and the
anesthetic was administered Sir Fred
erick Treves made the incision near the
patients groin and carried it upwards,
with an outward slant, for nearly four
inches. The obstruction was removed
and a tubing was placed in the affected
intestine.
King Edwards first words when he
returned to consciousness were to ask
for George" and the prince of Wales,
who was waiting in the next room, was
Immediately admitted to his father 5
presence.
While the operation was being per-
formed, the great central court yard of
Buckingham palace, so lately the scene
Of such brilliant gatherings, was ut
terly deserted and an impressive sill
ence reigned throughout the building.
The eQuerries talked in whispers,
servants tiptoes about and the tension
grew almost unbearable. Then the
words was passed around "all had gone
WE'LL III
Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Balfour then
went in to congratulate Queen Alexan-
dra and afterwards an informal and
perhaps historic dicussion occurred be-
tween the prince of Wa.es and the duke
of Connought and Lord Salisbury, Mr..
Balfour and several other members of
the cabinet. Before the end of the af-
ternoon over 1000 callers representing
nearly all the foreign representatives
in London and members of the House
of Lords and House of Commons had
inscribed their names on the visitors
book at buckingham palace. All the
royal princes called personally on the
prince of Wales and bade him good
bye. The majority of them will leave
London tomorrow for their respective
countries.
the date of the coronation in about
three months time provided King Ed
ward progresses we'll in the meantime
The sudden announcement of the
postponement Of the coronation, just on
eve Of the ceremony, caused the utmost
CONSERVATION everywhere. The news
spread like wild fire. The tens of thou
sands of occupants of the streets sud
denly stood still under the sudden shock
and gazed at one another in silent dread
of what might come next.
On the stock exchange the effect OF
the startling news was immediate
Prices weakened, led by consols with \
fall Of u point.
official announcement of the kings
serious illness were MADE TO puohc
bodies as speedily as possible. Word
was sent to the house Of commons and
the acting lord chamberlain. LORD
Churchill. personally delivered to the
mansion house, the official residence OF
the lord mayor, message regarding ms
majesty's illness, and ar this morning
rehearsal Of the coronation ceremony
in Westminster Abbey, the bishop OF
London. at the request of Lord Esher.
the deputy governor of Windsor Castle
made a statement as follows:
''I have to make very sad announce
ment. The king is suffering from an
i1lness which makes an operation neces-
sary today. The coronation, therefore.
is postponed"
The bishop required the congregation
to pray for the recovery OF the king.
The Duke OF Norfolk, issued the fol-
lowing notice: