Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-06-27
KING EDWARD
IS VERY SICK
Stricken With Dramatic Sud-
deaness on Eve of
Coronation.
HE UNDERGOES AN OPERATION
If He Maintains Progress and No Com
plications Ensue He May Recover--Cor-
onation Indefinitely Postponed and Fes-
tivities Abandoned.

London, June "a. 1926 p. m..-Sir
Francis Knollys, the kings private
secretary, has issued the official medi.
cal announcement, signed by the
kings physicians, as follows:
THE king is suffering from peri.
typhlitis. His condition Saturday was
so satisfactory that it was hoped that
with care his majesty would be able
to go through the ceremony. On Mon
day evening a recrudescence became
manifest, rendering surgical opera.
ton necessary today
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.
In spite of the intens.-y of this
tragic interruption, the lower element
of London are "maffiking" through
the flag-decked streets and portion
Of society in coronation gowns and
jewels has gathered at what is called
gala coronation dinner at one of the
fashionable hotels. Even at the gates
of Buckingham palace, within which
the ablest physicians and surgeons
constantly remain an the hope of saw
ing the sovereign's' life. the footing of
uorns and the sound of other revelries
can be plainly heard.
That slim gathering which still re-
mains beneath the flaring palace
lights is now more beant on celebra-
ton than of sympathizing.
Wagon loads of boisterous rOwdies
all sorts of vehicles and waving flags
make their noise away from the west
end to Whitechapel. They represent
that section of the British public
which no tragedy can sober into de-
cency. They have tested license I'M
restrained by law in the celebrations
in connection with the war. and. king
Or no king, they will celebrate the
coronation.
1t must be admitted that the revel-
lers have been misled by the technical
language of the bulletins: they seem
to have no conception of the gravity
of King Edwards condition. The
thinking portion of the nation, how
ever. has gone home numbed by the
events which the day has brought
forth.
1ndescribable CONSERVATION prevails
throughout the country, and this con-
sternation is reflected in the cable
grams received from all the centers
of the universe.
King Edward is in room facing the
beautiful gardens of Buckingham pal
ace, and far from the street and the
crowd
If tonights progress is maintained
he will probably tide over the effects of
his severe operation. which has sue
cessfully removed the local trouble.
but should any complications occur.
such as septic peritonitis or blood
poisoning. it it is feared his majesty's
present physical and nervous coadi-
ton would prove unequal to the strain
involved
There is, consequently, intense anx-
iety 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 ut
one time it was feared death might
ensue before the surgeons knife could
afford him relief. Intense swelling Of
the eXtremities. accompanied by
alarming symptoms OF modification,
constituted the emergency which de-
manded an immediate operation. TO
The last the king tried to avoid tnis.
and he was wiling to be carried to the
abbey for the coronation ceremony, in
order that 1. should occur as arranged.
The influence of Queen Alexandra
was enlisted, however, and at an early
hour this morning the royal patient
was prepared for the operation, which,
even in the skillful hands of England
best surgeons. was fraught with grave
danger.
Shortly before o'clock this after
noon his majesty was moved from
his couch to the operating table and
the anaesthetic was administered. Sir
Frederick 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 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 wai.ing in the next room.
was Immediately admitted to his faith
er's 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
utterly deserted and an impressive
silence reigned throughout the build
ing.
The equerries talked in whispers,
servants tip-toed about and the ten
sion grew almost unbearable. Then
the word was passed around, "all had
gone we'll"
Lord Salisbury and Mr. Balfour
then went in to congratulate Queen
Alexandra. and afterwards an informal
and perhaps historic discussion occur
red between the Prince of Wales, the
Duke of Connaught, Lord Salisbury.
Mr.. Balfour and several other men,
bers of the cabinet
Before the end of the afternoon over
1000 callers, who included nearly all
of the foreign representatives in Lon
don and members Of the house of
lords and ,-e house of commons, had
lASCiiDeu Luelf names OH tHe VlSlIOrS
book at Buckingham palace.
All the royal princes called person.
ally on the Prince of Wales and babe
him goodby. The majority of them
will leave London tomorrow morning
for their respective countries.
As A Day For Mourning.
London. June 21.-The United Irish
league is preparing to keep coronation
day as day of mourning for Ire
land" The district council of Clare.