GREAT BRITAIN: Sick Secretary

Last week a distinguished looking gentleman boarded the liner Orcoma at Liverpool. He was carried on board in a wheelchair.

There were deep lines in his face, and because of neuritis he carried his left arm in a sling. He was accompanied by his wife, who is one of Europe’s most charming diplomatic hostesses, his daughter Diane, and his younger son, Lawrence.

He was British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Sir Austen Chamberlain, convalescing from bronchial pneumonia.

With Sir Austen & Family sailed a valet, a detective and one Anne Strachey (Diane Chamberlain’s companion). They were en route for California and Canada, via the Panama Canal.

As the Orcoma paused at the Spanish harbor of Santander, Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, came aboard, exchanged greetings with the sick secretary who was barely able to rise from his bed chair.