The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-22
Odds of 100 to 3 Against the Corona
tiOn Taking Place His Majesty
Living Until June 20.
SCENES IN LONDON STREETS
DECORATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONs
VIEWED BY CROWDS OF PEOPLE.
American and other VisitOrs-The Late
King Alfred of saxOny and His
Brother Successor.

LONDON, June PA brisk business was
done this week at Lloyds in the coronation
gamble. The odds given 100 to
against the event occurring, or to use the
technical expression, the rates on the risk
Of the King living until June 26 ruled at
per cent. premium. Many thousands of
pounds sterling were underwritten on this
basis. This shows to what extent public
nervousness has grown in certain circles.
Careful investigation reveals that there
is ground for believing that the Kings
health is any worse than the official rep
resentative indicated His nerves were
rather upset by the unfortunate illness at
Aldershot, and every precaution is being
taken to prevent a recurrence of such a
sudden indisposition. 1t was stated to-
night that the King had fully recovered
and had arranged for the court TO return
from Windsor to London on Monday.
Meantime preparations for the crowning
hurry on apace. 1t is already difficult for
pedestrians 10 traverse the main thorough
fares, such as the Strand, Piccadilly and
Whitehall, during the greater part of the
day. and they are almost impossible at
night owing to the crowds of visitors, with
which store clerks. costers and London's
marvellous floating population generally
mingle nightly they wander through the
streets gazing at the decorations which
are now taking on finishing aspect.
Such numinations, festooning and be-
tagging as will mark Coronation day,
Thursday next. have nevev before been
seen in London. Scarcely a house along
the principal parts of the route of the pro-
cession but has erected an electric or gas
II
flags, interspersed with notices and rep
reservations of the royal arms, already
hide most of the outer walls. Some of the
streets are already roped with dazzling
festoons of fairy lamps. Even the abused
stands which for weeks have made London
so hideous with their bare boards are now
rapidly being draped in rich purple or
other suitable cOlOrs.
The United States embassy has Joined in
the general jubilaton ana is erecting an
illumination surmounted by a crown.
Through London American firms and in
dividuals are not a whit behind the British
in decorating their premises. Countless
stars and stripes will fly out of windows
on Thursday and Friday as a welcome 10
the newly crowned King. In fact, some of
the most elaborate displays OF the metropo-
lis will be by American firms doing busi-
ness here.
LAST WEEKS FUNCTIONS.
Among the host of special coronation rep
resentatives Mr.. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid
are having. perhaps. the most interesting
round of entertainment. They spent Ascot
week at Clveden with William Waldorf
Astor, whence a large and distinguished
party daily came over to the races. On
Friday Mr.. and Mrs. Reid lunched with
the Rev. Albert Wilberforce, d. D., arch
deacon of Westminster, who took them
over the abbey. The engagements of Mr..
and Mrs. Reid booked far into July.
June % they dine with the Prince and
Princess Of Wales, June q with Lord Lans-
down. the foreign secretary, TO meet King
Edward and Queen Alexandra; July / with
the benchers OF the Inner Temple. July
with Lord Pembroke July 10 with Henry
White. the secretary of the United States
embassy, and Mrs. White. TO meet Princess
Christian OF chleswig-HOlstein: July IL
they leave London TO spend the week end
with the Duke and Duchess OF MarlbOr-
ough az Blenheim, and July II Mr. Reid
Commerce.
The special ambassador of the United
States has bought a large number of seats
for friends ia a stand at Richmond ter
race. The colonial executives, all of whom
have arrived here except Sir Wilfrid I,au-
rier, the premier OF Canada, are also fea-
lures OF the attraction. From the colonial
cOntingentS, however, angry protests are
new being registered. 1t appears that the
war OlIlcr arranged Indt all the trOODS
specially sent 10 the coronation shall with
the exception OF the cavalry be utilized TO
line the route OF the procession instead of
actually partaking in it. As the ma ior
parts OF the visiting contingents consist OF
infantry, the arrangement has created
bitter disappointment
The Governor General OF Canada. the
Earl OF MintO. the high commissioner of
Canada, Lord Strathcona, and Colonel Pei
latt. in command of the Canadians. are
doing their utmost TO induce the War Of
flee TO allow the colonial troops 10 take
part i'm the procession as units regardless
OF the arm OF the service 10 which they
may belong.
Alexandra Park. where the colonials are
encamped is now perfect morass. thanks
10 the recent heavy rains. The accOmmoda-
tiOns for the troops are utterly Inadequate
and many Of the officers refusing 10 stay
in the tents. have taken rooms near by
AS OF the colonials said: If we had
been told TO prepare for a campaign ii
would have been all right, but we came
here for a procession In which not
To- take part ana are dumped INTO a bog
Beside the complaints OF the cOlOnials
several OF the leading dailies are vehement
Is protesting against the special war corO-
nation contingent. hurriedy sent by Lord
Kitchener from South Africa at the gov
ernment's request. being detailed 10 guard
the route instead Of marching through the
streets.
Col Hubert Hamilton. who was intrusted
To bring home the original South African
peace agreement delivered the historic doc
ument signed by the Beers. 10 King Ed
ward at Windsor Castle to-day. Colonel
Hamilton remained at the castle for dinner.
at which SOusas march, Imperial Ed
ward. was played for the first time by the
band OF The Scots Guards \ handsome IL
Illuminated vellum copy OF the march has
been presented 10 the King.
Threats OF Irfshmen.