The Iuka vidette., 1910-05-12

able restaurants were just emptying and
few groups of late theatergeers were
making their way homeward through the
rain, while small crowd still hung about
the palace, when the streets were filled
suddenly with newsboys shrilly crying:
Death of the kingl"
The papers were quickly seized and the
people discussed the momentous event
quietly and soon dispersed. The streets
were deserted by / o'clock.
Within few minutes after the death
of the king the home office was tele-
graphing the intelligence to the heads
of other governments and the British
diplomats and colonial officials through
out the world.
All who knew the king expected that
his death would be sudden, and it would
not have occasioned great surprise if it
had occurred without warning at some
social function as a result of heart trou-
ble
One of the last utterances attributed
to King Edward was:
"Well, it is all over, but think I
have done my duty"
He seemed then to have reached full
realization that his death was approach
ing.
The queen and others of the royal fam
lily and four doctors had been constantly
in the sick room throughout the day.
Several hours before his death the king
was in a comatose condition, but he ral-
lied slightly between and 10 o'clock,
and appeared to recognize his family.
Then he lapsed into Inconsistencies,
which ended in his passing.
When DIR. st. Clair Thompson, the
great throat specialist, was called in, it
was expected that an operation on the
throat would be necessary, but after a
consultation it was decided the lungs
were the seat of the most serious symp-
toms.
Knollys Makes Announcement.
The body lies in the kings chamber in
the northeast wing of Buckingham Pal
ace, which is brilliantly lighted, while the
rest of the great, gloomy building, with
the exception of Lord Knollys' office, is
entirely darkened. 1t was nearly half an
hour after the king breathed his last
when Lord Knollys walked into the Of
flee and said to the waiting reporters:
Gentlemen, his majesty is dead"
The people outside the palace only
learned the news when boys appeared
with papers. In the meantime the prince
and princess of Wales had taken leave
| .,f h, .box, <,f f1,,x
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 Almeric Fitzroy, clerk
of the council, convening the council in
the throne room of st. James Palace
at O'Clock Saturday afternoon, when
the councillors will, with one voice and
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 Kingdom of Great Britain
and of Ireland, defender of the faith ard
emperor of India, to whom we do ac-
knowledge all faith and constant obe-
dience, with all hearty and humble affec-
ton, beseeching God, by whom kings and
queens do reign, to bless the royal
prince, George ", with long and happy
years to reign over u.s."
The new king, after this proclamation,
will address the council and promise to
reign as constitutional sovereign. At the
conclusion of the meeting King George
will issue his first proclamation, requir-
ing all officials to proceed with their
duties.
Some Strenuous Politics.
Politically King Edwards reign has
been chiefly notable for the Inauguration
of new era of social legislation for the
benefit of the people, which followed the
coming of the Liberals into power again,
after long Conservative regime. The
general elections in 1906, fought on the
free trade question, brought the strong
est Liberal government for many gem
erations into power, and under tho
Campbell-Bannerman and Asquith minis
tries many measures dealing with edu-
cation, old age pensions, the relations of
workers to employers and cognate mat
ters were put into successful operation,
while the great Irish home rule question,
which so agitated the political parties in
the Victorian era, has been to great
extent thrust into the background.
The reign, however, closes at period
of great political unrest, with large
section of the community vigorously op-
posed to the new Liberal policy of en-
croachment on the privilege Of the landed
aristocratic classes, and with the heated
questions of the constitution of the house
of lords, tariff reform and home rule still
unsettled.