Empress Alexandra has the flu and the Kaiser cannot talk

January 13, 1904

The New York Times is reporting from St. Petersburg that Empress Alexandra is "suffering from a slight attack of influenza."  Her condition does not "give rise to anxiety."

Empress Alexandra's first cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm is "still troubled a good deal by his throat," reports the New York Times. By the end of the day, his voice "is weak," and he is undergoing treatment to "remove his hoarseness."

His doctors are insisting that he travel "south for rest and change."

It is also being reported that the Kaiser's sister, Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen is "suffering from a malignant disease."  She underwent an operation several months ago, and her condition has only recently "slightly improved.