The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-16
Whitelaw Reid Passes Away at His London Resi-
 dence
HAD BEEN FEEBLE
 FOR SOME MONTHS
Death Came Shortly After Severe Attack of Bronchial Trouble, De- veloping Into Asthma-Had
 Served Since 1905

London residence, Dorchester House, shortly after noon today from puImo- nary oedema. The end was quite peace- fui. Mrs. Reid and their daughter. Mrs. John Hubert Ward, were at the bed side
 The ambassador had been uneon- scious since 2 o'clock in the morning and at intervals during the previous 2i hours he had been slightly delir- ious as 8 result of the drugs admin istered to induce sleep.
 Sir Thomas Barlow. physician to the King, who was called in last week when MT. Reid's illness became acute, and his regular physician, pr. William . Hale White issued the following bull letin IS to the cause of death:
 Suffered from Bronchitis
 "A fortnight ago the American am- bassador had a slight bronchial at tack similar to others from which he had suffered at considerable intervals On Wednesday last asthma supervened and the asthmatic paroxysms became severe, leading to extreme exhaustion.
 Tt was hoped that he might rally as no pneumonia symptoms had ap- peared. With difficulty the paroxysms of asthma were got under control, but Sunday morning the exhaustion became extreme and he died from pulmonary oedema at 12:1O D. m
 The Hon. John Hubert Ward. who with his wife had been at Dorchester House continually since the ambassa- dor's condition became serious, notified tla .f patient began to sink and when death came he sent word to the King and Queen at Buckingham palace, the Queen Mother Alexandra and Sand ringham and the officials at the court
 King Expresses Regret r Almost immediately the King sent his equerry, Sir Harry Legge, to ex- press the condolences of hiinself and the queen. During the afternoon mes sages conveying the warmest sympa- thy were received from the Queen Mother Alexandra and other members of the royal family, court officials, members of the government and of the various embassies and legations, while many who had heard the news of the ambassadors death, or who had seen the flags at half mast on Dor chester House, called at the embassy.
 A wireless message was also sent to ogden Reid, son of the ambassador, who left New York yesterday in the hope of reaching his fathers bedside before death.
 The body win be sent home and probably will be inferred in Sleepy Hollow, but the details will not be de- cided upon until some communication is received from Ogden Reid and 1t is learned what action the British government may desire to take Mrs. Reid hopes to sail on Saturday next, should her son reach England in time 10 accompany her, but in all probability the government will place a warship at the disposal of the family for the transport of the body of the ambas sador to the United states.
 ' There will also doubtless be a me- morial service in one of the great ca thedrals in London, in addition to serv- ices in some small chapel for mem bers of the family and the staff of the embassy. This being Sunday nothing could be done, but if Mrs Reid has her way she will start for home at the earliest possible moment
 Had Been III Some Time
 While MT. Reid's condition had been I he had been confined to the house but for d fortnight. his illness really dates from his return from New York last February after his visit there for the purpose of entertaining the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. On the voyage he contracted cold to which he was very susceptible, and found great diff hculty in shaking it off When he did he was for a time quite feeble His friends noticed great change. Still he insisted upon going to the embassy every day and carrying on his heavy correspondence both there and at home.
 However. Mir Reid made consid- erable recovery and during the Lon don season. May, June and July, was active and with Mrs. Reid gave the usual entertainments for which they had made Dorchester House famous While these were not on such large scale as some previous entertainments when King Edward. Queen Alexandra, and later King George and Queen Mary the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and other distinguished personages were the guests, they proved to be considerable strain on his strength.
 When August came. the ambassador went to Harrogate to take the cure In September he made a hurried trip to the United States and presided at the ,;edi- 
 Albany. He returned to England sore- what fatigued but no anxiety was felt over his condition.
 However on October 3l. he went to Wales and delivered an address on 'rhons- as Jefferson at the University college, and from then suffered from colds. Although he had not complained of throat trou- ble. from which he had suffered at ln- tervals for years, there were minor ail- ments which depressed him.
 Having invited shooting party to Wrest Park. where there had been many distinguished gatherings since MT. Reid became ambassador. he called in Sir Wll- liam Osler, who examined him and de- clared that there was nothing wrong. The ambassador was greatly cheered by this report, and with his wife joined his guests at his country house. He re- Aturned to Dorchester house on December q. and his final illness began the next lay.
 Showed Much Depression - Mir Reid continued to carry on his heavy correspondence, and signed off, cial documents as late as Wednesday last. His family and household did not realize that he was in any danger. and although nf times he showed much depression, 1t