The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-05-09
KING EDWARD DEAD

England Mourns Death ofKine-|
Loved and Admired Throush-
out United Kingdom-Prince
of Wales Ascends Throne as
George v.
London Dispatch. 9Th.
King Edward VII died at l1:45
o'clock tonight. The Prince of
Wales is King, assuming the
title of King George ". and will
take the before the Privy Coun-
ell at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Coming so suddenly the death
of the King cannot but bring the
greatest sorrow to the nation. in
whose hearts Edward, first as
Prince of Wales and afterwards
as sovereign, held first place. His
short reign Of nine years has been
a history of stirring times. 1t
opened with the conclusion of
peace after a long and trying
campaign in South Africa, and
concluded at the crucial moment
of one of the most momentous
political struggles of modern
times, between the Peers and
Commons. In a day the political
outlook of Great Britain has been
revolutionized.
Throughout the Empire the
word was flashed and today flags
are floting 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 to South Africa with the
squadron and the Prince was to
open the first parliament of the
new confederation, but his ac-
cession to the throne will now
prevent this.
The death of his majesty will
also mean the abandonment of
the principal functions of ex-
President Roosevelt's tour.
The King returned to England
10 days ago in the best of health.
Pneumonia, following bronchitis
is believed to have been the
cause of death.
When Edward VII. breathed
his last there came to close the
life of a unique personality. He
was loved almost universally,
first of all as a man whose at
tributes made him dear to the
hearts of his subjects and next
as monarch whose ability to
fulfil the role which he was call
ed on to assume was demonstrat-
ed conspicuously.
Edward VII. by the grace of
God of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, and of
the British Dominions beyond the
seats, King Defender of the
Faith, Emperor of India" was
his title. Subject to fierce criti-
cism in his youth because of his
manner of life, he lived down a
rather unenviable reputation
through long years of more care
full conduct, and succeeded in
winning the confidence of all the
people as almost no other sover.
,eign of Great Britain, except his
mother. Queen Victoria, hac
done. AS statesman, he was
active and successful, particular.
ly in the field of foreign affairs
He was an able diplomat, and ir
all the important questions o1
foreign policy he made himself
felt.
In domestic politics he was les:
active, but he succeeded il
strengthening the position of the
monarchy with the masses, effect
.ually killing whatever anti-Roy
alist sentiment existed at the
time of his accession.
Edward VII. assumed thu
throne on the death of Queer
Victoria in January 22, 1901, 81
that he was King less than tel
years.
1t was as a sportsman that tn
British people loved most t.
think of him. He was an enthu
siastic patron of horse racing
and was fcnd of yacht racing
cricket, athletics and shooting
His love of cards was almost
passion in his earlier days an
his gambling for high stakes go
him into trouble several times.
AT the t tie functions in whicl
he particiL~ Led King Edward re
vived all the pomp and clrcum
stanna of medieval WAYS.