St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-05-13
KING IS DEAD
ENGLISH RULER
PASSES TO REST
Peaceful Reign Of Nine Years
Suddenly Ended.
Severe Cold Brings Bronchitis, Which
Develops Pneumonia-was M
Only Six Days.

London, May z, 8 A. Mixing Ed
ward VII died from pneumonia at IL :45
last night at Buckingham Palace, and
at the same moment the crown and
scepter of the Empire Of Great Britain
passed automatically to his son and
heir, Prince George Of Wales, now
George v.
Death struck down the mightiest
hereditary ruler Of the world with as
little compunction as II his victim had
been the meanest Of that kings sub
jects. The prayers of the whole ma
tion, bound to its monarch by CEN
turies Of tradition and by love born
Of complete and intimate knowledge
Of that rulers foibles, almost an much
as Of his great virtues, availed TO stay
the hand Of the Reaper not one jot.
King Edward died almost before his
subjects had begun. to realize that he
was seriously i'll. He was taken sick
a week ago. After three days a SER
ious complication began to develop.
The fourth day his physicians issued
bulletin that stirred the whole nation
TO its depts. On the sixth day the
king was dead.
The shock TO Great Britain and to
the world had been tremendous, not in
a national way, for the death Of the
king has been discounted In the mar
kets for many years, but TO the en-
pire's sentimentality. King Edward
was sincerely loved throughout the
length and breadth Of England's q
possessions.
He was loved as great son Of no
BILE mother, and he was loved for him
self because he had In his character
that rare commingling Of democratic
simplicity with kingly dignity which
made him justly the first gentleman
Of Great Britain"
Politically, the death Of Edward VII
contains grave potentialities. The
commons is now engaged In "rcform-
ing the house Of lords" To Edward a
liberal ministry had looked with conf
dence for the creating Of such peers as
would carry out the will Of the people
as expressed ut the last election. Now
a new king steps forward TO take Ed
wards place. What attitude he may
assume In this, the greatest political
crisis England has faced In generations.
remains a problem.
Nearly all members Of the kings
immediate family were ut his bedside
when the king died. Just before the
end came, the royal patient rallied and
spoke weakly TO those about him.
"I know Il is all over" he said, "but
think I've done my duty"
Those were his last words.
The first official act Of the new king.
George v, was performed immediate
ly after his father had breathed his last.
He dispatched 70 the lord mayor OF
London the announcement Of Edward
Wis death. In pursuance Of an age-old
custom. His telegram read: 81 am
deeply grieved 10 inform you that my
beloved father. the king. passed away
peacefully at IL as tonight.
(Signed George"
That George v will leave any deer
imprint on English histroy as sover'
eign Of force and commanding ability
10 much to be doubted. but at least he
Is likely to prove king Of good heart,
of conscientious attention to duty and
Of discretion in state affairs.
Geogre brings to the throne consid
cradle experience Of his own in rou
tine demands Of public service made
upon him as the prince Of Wales. ane
he comes TO the task Of governing
with fair ability, good personality