Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
King Edwards Dangerous Illness.

The news Of King Edwards serious i'll
ness came from London this morning with
% shocking suddenness despite the previous
limitations that he was in an unfavorable
physical condition. 1t was believed gen.
orally that he had recovered from his lun-
bIc1 contracted at Aldershot. and that his
weakness apparent upon entering London
yesterday was by no means alarming But
it now appears that there were serious
causes at work not only to produce the late
illness. but to account for the weakness and
paI!or IF the king upon his entrance into
the capital. So serious. indeed. were these
causes that the physicians decided upon an
operation. stroke of the utmost danger
and. in view Of the nearness of the corona
tion. certain to cause a violent disturbance
Of great national plans.
The fact that the king passed through the
operation successfully and showed imme-
diate signs Of rallying has been taken in
London as a hopeful sign. After the first
great shock of the tidings of the serious
disorder has come a reaction of relief.
amounting almost to a feeling of certain
hope. Whereas early in the day there was
only apprehension that death might be an
uounced at any moment there now prevails
Il distinct belief In the kings ultimate re-
C"very- Ii is unsafe. however, to join in
such a belief. King Edward is a man with
. much weakened constitution. He is at an
age when the body does not rapidly recover
from shocks or drains. The disease itself is
peculiarly menacing. amounting to an acute
fhrm of appendicitis, and the operation dis
Closed a large abcess which has probably
been poisoning the system for some time.
There are many elements of grave danger,
even though the radical test of the opera
tion itself has been successfully met.
The coronation ceremonies will of neces-
sity be postponed for several weeks. Ac-
cording To the best estimates the king, If
IL survives the shock, Will not be able to
participate in the trying function for fully
two months. This means such delay that
there may be even a longer one, for the
T"tables and thrOngs gathered in London
t. witness and participate in the corona
tion cannot be expected to remain there
for such a visit. So the present prepara-
lions are useless as they stand and 1t may
be that if the king lives the new date will
be set sufficiently far off to insure his per-
feet health. perhaps half year or more.
This postponement directs attention in
stdntly to the kings reported superstition
that he will not live to be crowned. Ger
tainly, whatever the immediate outcome Of
his present illness, there is ground for re-
gdr,iing this deplorabIe break in the pro-
gram as a partial justification of the mel
ancholic belief. 1t is possible that the NOR
bid thought has had an effect upon the
kings health and weakened his powers of
resistance. Such instances have been often
reliably recorded
The world prays today that England may
be spared the blow of King Edwards death
lie has proved a wise. humane monarch
lis influence has been for good since his
accession. just was that of his mother
throughout her long reign. Earnestly he
has striven to wipe the war-blot from Eng
lands record. He has respected the tradi-
tons Of human liberty and has violated no
conventions or usages- He has strength
ened the ties binding England and America
together and has made for world peace to
the extent of his powers.