Evening journal., 1902-06-25

London, June %. - With dramatic
suddenness the king has been stricken
down upon the eve f his coronation.
Today he lies in a critical state at
Buckingham Palace.
In spite of the intensity of this ira
gic interruption the lower elements
Of London last night marched through
the fiag-decked streets and a portion
of society in coronation gowns and
jewels gathered at what is called a
gala coronation dinner at one of the
fashionable hotels. Even at the gates
of Buckingham Palace, within which
the ablest surgeons and physicians
remained in the hope of saving the SOW
ereign's life, the footing of horns and
the sound of other revelries could be
plainly heard. 1t must be admitted
that the jewellers were misled by the
technical language of the bulletins;
they having no conception Of the grav-
ity of King Edwards condition. The
thinking portion of the nation. how
ever, went home numbed by the events
which the day had brought forth. In
describable 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 a room facing the
beautiful gardens of Buckingham Pal
ace and far from the streets and the
crowd. Ii last nights progress is main
tanned he will probably tide over the
effects of his severe operation, which
has successfully removed the local
trouble. But should any complications
occur, such as peritonitis or blood poi
soning, it is feared his majesty's pres
ent physical and nervous condition
would prove unequal to the strain in
volved. There is consequently intense
anxiety as to the outcome. The kings
doctors believe that His Majesty would
have been dead before now except for
the operation. His condition became
so alarming Monday night that at one
time it was feared death might ensue
before the surgeons knife could afford
him relief. Intense swelling of the ex-
tremities, accompanied by alarming
symptoms of modification. constituted
the emergency which demanded an i'm
mediate operation. To the last the
king tried to avoid this, and he was
willing to be carried to the Abbey for
the coronation ceremony in orler that
It should occur as arranged. The infiu-
ence of Queen Alexandra was enlisted,
however, and at an early hour yester-
day morning the royal patient vas pre-
pared for the operation which, even in
the skilled hands of England's best sur
geons, was fraught with grave danger.
Shortly before o'clock vest, rday af-
ternoon 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 T r.aced
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 fathers
presence.
While the operation was being per
formed the great central court yard Of
Buckingham Palace was utterly de-
serted and an impressive silence reign
ed throughout the building. The
equerries talked in whispers. servants