New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-07

absent. Premier Asquith, who is in
Spain, cannot reach London before Mon
/ day.
Speaker Lowther in Turkey.
II is the duty Of the members Of both
| houses of Parliament to meet without
summons as soon as they can assemble,
/ to take the oath of allegiance and re-
ceive the message of the King. Speaker
| Lowther Of the House Of Commons, how
ever. is in Constantinople,
Coming so suddenly, the death of the
King brings the greatest sorrow to the
nation, in whose hearts Edward, first as
! Prince of Wales and afterward as SOW
ereign. held first place. His short reign
of nine years has been history of
stirring times. It opened with the con-
cluson of peace after a long and trying
campaign in South Africa, and closed al
the critical moment of one of the most
momentous political struggles of modern
times, between the peers and Commons.
In day the political outlook of Great
Britain has been revolutionized.
throughout the IRE the word was
flashed, and to-day flags will be floating
at half-mast the world over. Besides
the social gloom which the Kings death
casts over England, several important
and long planned official events must be
abandoned. The Prince and Princess of
Wales were to go 10 South Africa with
the squadron. and the Prince was t.
open the first parliament of the new
confederation, but his accession to the
throne Will now prevent this.
MIR. RooseveIt's Plans Hampered.
The death of his majesty will also
mean the abandonment of the principal
plans to entertain ex-Presdent Roose-
welt and his visit may be cancelled. The
official receptions. with the court in
mourning. and the embassy entertain
ments will not be held, and the presenta-
ton Of the freedom of the city and the
luncheon at the Guildhan will probably
be given up.
If Mr.. Roosevelt's visit TO England is
carried out it will be shorn Of all dis
play kilograms from Berlin say that
the German Emperor will attend the
funeral in England, and that Mr. Roose-
velts visit there must he postponed.
According to unofficial reports, which
cannot be confirmed, the King remained
sitting in chair throughout the day.
He suffered from frequent and violent
attacks of coughing. During his quiet
intervals, however, the King was fully
conscious. and made inquiries about
state engagements, and even asked about
the success of his horse at the Kempton
races. AS the evening advanced he ex-
perienced difficulty in breathing, which
greatly affected the heart. the left ven
tricle failing TO act, while the oxygen no
longer afforded the relief it had pre-
viously given. His majesty soon sank
into a comatose condition, from which
practically he never rallied.
Crisis in Political Affairs.
The greatest constitutional crisis in
generations hangs over Great Britain.
King Edward was familiar with all feat
ures OF a situation which may be par
ticularly trying TO his successor, who, on
the threshold Of his reign, would be
called upon to deal with the question of
employing the authority of the crown
TO curb the powers of the peers.
From a social and business point of
view the monarch's death is equally un-
fortunate The social season, when fam
flies are f1ocking from the country to
London and the merchants are counting
upon a big business. is just beginning.
and was expected this year to be the
most brilliant Of many seasons. The
Kings death will throw the court and
country into mourning and end the social
activities
Public opinion viii doubtless demand
that the Liberals programme for reform
ing the House OF Lords, with a possible
appeal TO the Crown TO make the most
important decision a sovereign has been
called upon TO take in many years, shall
be laid aside for long time. They
would be opposed TO thrusting on King
Edwards successor at the beginning of
his reign. when be was first graphing
with important routine work. question
so vital TO the future Of the empire.
Throughout the nine years of King
Edwards reign. tariff reform versus free
trade. which was opened by the famous
Chamberlain speech in May. 1903, has
been continuously under discussion. The !
close of the year 1902 saw the end Of
the long Salisbury administration and
the accession Of A J. Balfour TO the
Premiership.
On his accession 20 the throne. before |
the Privy Council, the King announced
his intention to walk in his mothers |
footsteps, bat while Queen Victoria /
lived almost a life Of retirement, inter /
esting- herself mainly in home affairs. |
the Kings influence throughout his J