The daily gazette., 1878-01-19
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

The BhlTlod fAhLiA MEN IL
THE quEEN's sPEEcH--rHx EAsrEBN
QuwsrIoN-~PRRPARA FOR CON- |
rrNaErcfRs RECOMMENDED. fHf
LONDON, Jan. .17.-Psrliamen met to-
day. As the Queen did not open the J
session In person there was no state cere- |
monial, and the proceediDgs were cons
fined to what usually takes place when
the opening 10 by royal commission. The
weather was very hne, being clear and
exceptionally mild. The following u
her Majesty's speech: ~ sAa !. Ia 3
any Lords ana Gentlemen I have
thought 1T to assemble you before the
usual period OF your meeting. in order
that you might become acquainted with
the efforts have made TO Terminate the
war now devastating Eastern Europe
and Armenia, aud that might have the
advice and assistance Of my Parliament
In the present state OF public affairs. You
are aware that after having unsuccessful
ly striven to arrest that warI declared
my intention TO observe neutrality In q
contest which l lamented, bat have fall
I'd TO prevent, 90 long as interests OF my
empire, as defined BY my government,
were not Threatened. 81. .,...s,,itr ,b.,l
"I expressed at the same time my
earnest desire to avail myself Of an OPP
portunity which might present itself for
promoting O peaceful settlement OF the
question ct issue between the belligerent
powers. The successes obtained by the
Russian armies in Europe aud Asia con-
vinced the Porte that II should endeavor
TO bring to q close hostllities which were
causing immense suffering TO Its subjects.
The government of the Sultan accord
ingly addressed 70 the neutral powers,
parties to treaties relating TO the Turkish
empire, an appeal tor their good Offices.
at did not, however, appear TO q major
/ ity Of the powers thus addressed thai
they could usefully comply with the re-
quest, and they communicated this opin
ion to the Porte. The Porte then deter
miaed on making separate appeal tt
my government, and At once agreed u
, make an inquiry of the Emperor Of Rus
saa whether his Imperial Majesty woulc
entertain overtures for peace. The EN-
peror expressed In reply his earnest deslrs
. for peace, and stated at the same tim'
his opinion as to the course which shoult
q be pursued for Its attainment. f
s'Upon this subject communication
have taken place between the govern
ments Of Russia and Turkey through IN.
9 good offices, and earnestly trust the.
It may lead 10 pacific solution OF th
points at issue and to the termination Q
y the war. No efforts on my part will b
= wanting to promote that result.
l. "fIitherto, SO far as the war has pro
"a ceeded, neither Of the belligerents hay
~ infringed the conditions on which m
+ neutrality is founded, and willingl
sr believe both parties are desirous TO re
e spect them so far as IL may be In the
= power. SO long as these conditions al
y not infringed my attitude will continu
q the same, but cannot conceal from my
W self that should hostilities be unto
,, tunately prolonged some unexpected OF
currence may render IL incumbent on m
~ to adopt measures of precaution.
ss "Such measures could not be effect'
ally taken without adequate preparation
and trust 10 the liberality Of my Parli
ment To supply the means which may
required for that purpose. Papers Q
these affairs will be forthwith lard befo
10 you.
ht ssMy relations with all foreign powe
I'd conunne friendly. ] am thankful th
lg the terrible famine which ravaged Sout
ut ern India Is nearly at an end. Strenl
le GUS and successful exertions have bee
" made by my local governments to rsliel
CO the sufleriDgs of the population, and
IL that duty they have been powerful
I'd seconded by the liberal aid Of my peop
d, at home and In my colonies.
IN 81 have directed that an inquiry sha
RS be made into the measures most prop
ut to diminish the danger Of such calau
ne ties for the future. The condition
be native affairs In South Africa has Of Ia
g. caused me some anxiety, and has 4
b. manded the watehful attention OF n
ee government. have thought it expedite
ut to reinforce my troops n7.hat part OF n
es empire. l trust that q peaceable al
n satisfactory settlement Of all differenc
ne may be shortly obtained.
ar "Gentlemen of the House of Common
a l have directed the estimates Of the ye
Is. to be prepared and presented to y,
let without delay.
NJ. "Lords and Gentlemen : A bill will
l" laid before you upon the subject of cou
ne ty government, aud your attention W
II be again called to the consideration
the factory law and to summary jurisd
ton Of magistrates. You will be ask
at an early period Of the session to Ia
into your consideration a bill on the 81
-. ject Of the cattle disease In this count
90, aS "Your attention will be invited to
NJ subject of intermediate education
ish Ireland, A bill will be laid before y
ng to simplify an express in one act
she whole law and procedure relating TO
ys dictable ofenses. commend these 81
De jects to your most careful considerable
n nn and pray that the blessings Of the. .
lP mighty may attend and guide your del