Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-07

uedtIl, Dul TIE uOclOTS thus lar nave
refused to make a statement. Some of
the Kings friends are convinced that
worry over the critical political stu
alton which confronted him, with
sleepless nights, aggravated, if it did
not cause the fatal illness.
Besides the nearest relatives in Eng
land, the Duke of Fife and the Arch
bishop of Canterbury We're in the
death chamber. The Kings brother,
the Duke Of Connaught, with his fam
lily, is at Suez, Fastening home from
Africa. The Kings daughter, Queen
Maud of Norway, will start for Eng
land tomorrow.
The intelligence that the end of King
Edwards reign had come was not a
surprise at the last The people had
been expecting to hear 1t at any hour
since the eve ning's bulletin was post
ed at buckingham Palace and flashed
throughout the Kingdom. The capital
received it without excitement but
sadly for the King with his own peo-
pie. was unquestionably one of the
most popular rulers in the world. They
regarded him as one of the strongest
forces making for the stability of the
peace of the empire.
The fashionable restaurants We're
just emptying and a few groups of late
thea:er- goers We're making their way
homeWard through the rain. while q
small crowd still hung about the pal
ace when the streets were filled sud :
denly with newsboys shrily crying
Death of the King" The papers were
quickly seized and the people dis
cussed the momentous event quietly
and soon dispersed. The streets We're
deserted by / O'Clock.
Within a few minutes after the
death of the King the home Office was
telcsraphing the intelligence to the
heads of other governments and the
British diplomats and colonial officials
throughout the world
All who knew the King anticipated
tlat his death would be sudden, and
il would not have oCcasioned great
surprise if it had occurred without
warning ut some social function, as a
result of heart trouble. Almost to the
end he refused to take to his bed, and
was sitting up yesterday in Il large
chair. so the palace stories go. corrob-
oT%tlilS III" utStllItlbi vi Illlli ~ an
unruly patient
one of the last utterances attributed
to King Edward was:
Well it is all over, but | think /
have done my duty
4 He seemed then to have reached
a full realization that his end was fast
approaching.
The Queen and others of the royal
family and four doctors had been con-
stantly in the sick room throughout
the day. Several hours before his
death the King was in a comatose con-
dition, bat he rallied slightly between
9 and 10 o'clock and appeared to rec
ognze his family. Then he lapsed into
passing away
When DR.. st. Clair Thomson, the
great throat specialist, was called in
yesterday morning, it was expected
that an operation on the throat would
be necessary. but after q consultation
it was decided that the lungs We're the
seat of the most serious symptoms.
Experts were held in readiness to ad
minister an anaesthetic. but there was
fear that the weakness of the Kings
heart might result in q fatal issue, and
an operation was set aside as a last
resort.
The body lies in the Kings chamber
in the northwest wing of Buckingham
Palace. which is brilliantly lighted,
while the rest of the great gloomy build
incs EXCEPT Lord Knollys Office is dark
ened. 1t vas half an hour after the
Two los WI T
ly walked into the Office and said to
the waiting reporters:
Gentlemen. His Majesty is dead"
The people outside the palace learned
the news only when boys appeared with
papers. In the meantime the Prince
and Princess of Wales had taken leave
Of the other members of the royal fam
ily at the main entrance, soon after mid
night. They drove direct to Marlborough
House. Princess Victoria, who is her
mothers constant companion. remained
with the Queen. The others of the fam
lily followed the Prince and Princess of
Wales.
A summons to the privy councillors
has been issued by Sir Almoric Fltzroy,
clerk of the council, converting the coun-
Gil in the throne room of st. James Pal
ace at o'clock this afternoon When the
councillors will with one voice ana the
consent of tongue and heart publish
and proclaim that the high and mighty
Prince George is now, by the death of
our late sovereign of happy memory
become our only lawful and rightful
liege lord. George V, by the grace OF
God. King of the United Kingrom of
Great Britain and ireland, defender of
the faith and Emperor of India, to whom
we do acknowledge all faith ana con-
slant obedience, with all hearty ana
humble affection. beseeching God by
whom Kings and Queens do reign TO
bless the royal prince. George V, with
long and happy years to reign over us
The new King. after this pronounce
ment, will address the council and prom
ise to reign as constitutional sovereign