The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-06

ing bulletin was issued at Buck
 ingham Palace, D. m.. today:
 ''The Kings symptoms have
 become worse during the day and
 hour is critical. (Signed Lak-
 ing, Reid, Powell, Dawson and
 Thomson"
 Especial from United Press.)
 London, May 6.-The heart of the British Empire is centered today in King Edward, for nine years the rul- CT of the British nation, is fighting grfmly for his life.
 The King is suffering from a se- 1ious bronchial affection, a chronic eilment which threatens to develop into pneumonia.
 One report has it that pneumonia has already set in but this cannot be verified until the five doctors who are in constant attendance upon the stricken Monarch issue their evening bulletin.
 The latest report from the sick room said that the inflammation of the bronchial tubes is extending. The startling news of the Kings illness came with such suddenness that peo- pie have hardly yet recovered from the shock. Thousands stand around Buckingham Palace and the streets adjacent. dumb with anguish and hoping. to get some word from the sick room.
 These represent largely the common people while a continuous stream of automobiles and carriages containing nobility and leading figures in various walks of life has deposited callers at the Palace. ;
 Only a few of these have been per- mitted to see the King and their sad dened countenances as they left the sick room increased the apprehension 7I>o oIoI. frI, of Canterbury was one of those permit ted to enter the Kings chamber. No sooner did he return to his official residence than he directed all the Bishops in the churches of England to offer prayers for His Majesty, ''in his grave illness" as the order read.
 It is admitted that the Kings ill., ness is critical and when his subjects recall that heS Is 69 years old, has failed rapidly in the last few years and has shown an ever increasing in ability to withstand the strain, the reason for their alarm is easily ap-
 The Prince of Wales, heir appar ent to the throne, left the Palace at 4:45 Nhis afternoon. One of the alarming symptoms of the Kings con- Gition is the spasmodic convulsing of the blood vessels. This may neces- sitate an operation. Although all ar engagements for a possible operation have been made, the physicians are hopeful that this may be avoided Even slight operation in the Kings present condition would be attended with the utmost risk.
 The King experiences great diff- culty in breathing and several tanks of oxygen were taken to the palace this afternoon as it is feared that this trouble will increase during the night. St. Clair Thompson, the great surgeon and throat specialist, has teen called into the case in antlclpa- tion that an operation may be neces- Sary.
 The alarm of the people is shown in the weakened stock market. Cash consols dropped 3-S of point to S1 Is and consols fell 7-10 of a point at the opening today. Other funds show was not a great deal of liquidation however, as the traders decided to wait until this evenings bulletin is issued before doing anything that might demoralize the market
 The feeling is generalthat the ag- ed MOnarc1'S chances of recovery are slight and church services for the of fering of prayers for his life are al- ready being held. It is proposed that the entire nation unite in suppl1ca- tions for His Majesty.
 From an early hour this morning there has been a constant stream or callers at the palace, nearly all the social and other notables in London being among them. Every effort is being made to permit the King to rest in quiet All the approaches to the palace have been closed and police have been scattered through the throngs that crowd about Buckingham Palace to preserve quiet. This pre- caution is hardly necessary for the whole populace is subdued with grief and the thousands about the palace speak hardly above whisper. The three regular physicians to the King today called on two other doc- tors for a consultation
 Queen Alexandria is completely worn out. She was slightly ill when she returned to London yesterday from her Mediterranean cruise. Despite the fact that she was greatly in need Of rest the Queen sat up the entire night with the other members of the Royal family. Today the Queen retired to her apartments but not until the phy- sicians had promised to call her in the Kings condition grew more alarm ing.
 The Kings illness dates from last Monday, when he was seized With a chill at Sandringham. He grew stead fly worse and his chronic bronichal trouble quickly developed.
 Political worries have played no small part in bringing about the Kings collapse. The breach between the Lib ! erals and Conservatives and the fact i he alone must eventually make the l deciding move between the warning l parties caused Edward to overtax. his 1 strength in an effort to bring the | leaders of the factions together. | The Kings illness is particularly la l mented at this time as it means the ! end of the London social season for | which London tradesmen had made l unprecedented preparation in view of Roosevelt's visit which is now unlike ly.
 i King Edward as a political DOW 9r never loomed so large as now. In the | event of his death there are many Who l fear the throne itself may fall under ! the reign of the Prince of Wales. The present Kings political sagacity and l diplomacy are believed to be equal to l the task of settling a dispute between l the Liberals and Conservatives With 1 cut endangering the throne. but no such element of strength is conceded | to the Prince.
 1 The Prime of Wales has not had the necessary experience to grapple with | such momentous problems as now con-