Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-07
By Suddenness Of Kings
Critical Condition.
Just "a Hours After Announce.
nlent Of Illness
PEOPLE Realized That Their S0ver-
eign Could Not Recover.

LONDON, May Dust "a hours aIter
the first news was made known to the
public, as from a clear sky that the
King was suffering with bronchitis
with the physicians statement that
his condition Causes some anxiety"
came the official pronouncement that
His Majesty's condition is now criti-
cal"
The public Immediately interpreted
these significant words to mean that
the Kings case was absolutely hope
less. That conviction pervaded Lon
don and the entire kingdom. The
bulletin was transmitted to all the
royal relatives before it was made
public and the rapid sequence of ar
rivals Of royal relatives at the palace
every hour confirmed so far as infor
nation was needed the most alarmists
views.
The Prince and Princess of Wales
and the Duchess of Ably, who had left
the palace shortly before. the issuance.
of the bulletin, both ladies showing
marked signs of grief. soon FASTENED
back. Princess Victoria and the Duke
of Fife followed. The Duke and
Duchess Of Connaught who today ar
rived at SueZ from an African shoot
ing expedition, We're notified and Queen
Maud telegraphed from Christiania
that she would start for London to-
morrow.
Sir William Robson, the attorney
general. hurried to the palace. as he
explained on urgent official business
and remained half an hour. The arch
bishop of Canterbury, who visited the
Queen in the morning, paid a second
call before dinner. He talked with
the Prince of Wales and hurried away
with signs of great emotion. to pre-
side at a meeting. He returned to
the palace at $50 o'clock in the even
ing.
All religious bodies issued calls for
special prayers and special services
have been arranged for tomorrow.
The Catholic archbishop of Westmin-
ster, Mgr. Borune, before he realized
the Kings critical state. called for
special services in the churches OF his
diocese on Sunday, while the heads of
the Congregational, Baptist and other
denominations requested services and
family prayers.
The Archbishop of Canterbury pre-
sided this evening at large charita-
Bile meeting between his visits to the
palace. He said imphessiveiy:
sickness and sorrow and the great
issues of life and death level all earth
lv barriers. I ask you as Christians to
stand for a minute in silence and lift
up your prayers for our Sovereign,
hanging this moment between life and
death"
The audience rose and after min
ute of silence. joined in the Lords
Prayer. Special services were held this
evening in Sandringham, Wolveston
and other churches on the Kings es-
tate.
An incident occurred this afternoon
which under ordinary circumstances
would have given King Edward the
greatest elation. His horse witch of
fine Air" in which he was keenly in
terested. won the spring 2-year-old
stake at Kempton park amid the
cheers of the race-goers.
The Official Gazette tonight. by
coincidence. published the first pro-
gram Of the court levees.
From early in the morning through
6ay of Dr1lllant SuIisIllfc IOlfOWeu ny "
stormy evening. with frequent heavy cold
showers, a vast crowd filled the open
space in front of Buckingham palace
awaiting news of the Kings condition
Even after evening passed into night
groups stood about gates and hung 10
the iron ratings of the big goid-tipped
fence, watching the comings and golngs
of members of the royal family, physi-
clans, officials and other notable persons
until the police shortly before midnight
with a view of clearing the streets an
nounced that no further bulletins wouid
be issued until morning.
Then the stragglers reluctantly leIt
their posts of vantage and sadly started
homeward, filled with apprehension. AT
the same time steady stream OF callers
passed through the diplomatic entrance
to sign the visitors book and make In
quiries.
The more intimate friends and members
Of the royal family were received at the
entrance to the wing Of the palace in
which the Kings apartments are situat-