The New York herald., 1878-01-18
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
Opening Of the Session by
Royal Commission.
THE QUEENS SPEECH.
Englands Position Toward the Beliger-
ents-Neutral, but Watchful.
SUPPLIES ASKED FOR.
Sharp Debate on the Address in
Both Houses.
GRANVILLE ATTACKS, ,.BEAC0NSPIElD REPLIES.
Speeches OF Harrington, Gladstone and
Northcote in the Commons.
THE DEBATE ADJOURNED.
Sharp Debate on the Address in
Both Houses.
GRANVILLE ATTACKS: ,:.BEACoNSPlELD REPLIES.
Speeches Of Harrington, Gladstone and
Northcote in the Commons.
THE DEBATE ADJOURNED.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD. ]

The anxiously expected meeting of Parliament
has at last taken place and the battle of the parties
over the policy OF England with regard to the East
ern question has already begun. There is great
anxiety in London and the result is awaited with
1everish lmpatience 1t Is felt on all sides that on
the session which has just opened will depend
issues OF the deepest Importance to the future OF
the British Empre-that, In short, Englands posi-
ton as first class Power Ia at stake and that Par
necessities OF the hour
OPENED BY ROYAL COMMISSION.
1t had been generally known for some days past
that the Queen would not open Parliament in
person, and. therefore, there was not SO much
interest taken in the mere ceremonial OF opening
the session The anxiety over the political issue is
too deep, and the utterances OF the party chiefs
were looked forward to with teversh impatience
that has not been seen In England since the OUT
break Of the Crimean war; There was no State
ceremonial. as the session was opened by Royal
Commission. The weather was splendid and q
large crowd congregated outside the Parliament
House. The galleries were crowded and many dis
tlnguished gentlemen were among the spectators.
THE QUEENS SPEECH
The following is Her Maesty's speech, which was
read by the Lord Chancellor to the members of
both houses assembled in the House OF Lords:-
My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN-I have thought fit
to assemble you before the usual period OF your
meeting in order that you might become ac-
the war now devastating Eastern Europe and Ar
menia, and that might have the advice and as
sstance OF my Parliament IN the present state Of
public affairs. You are aware that, after having
unsuccesslully strtven to avert that war; declared
my c1 in1ens0n 70 observe n, neutraty IN contest
long AS the interests Of my empire, as defined by
my government, were not threatened. expressed
at the same time my earnest desire to avail myself
OF any opportunity which might present Itself for
promoting peaceful settlement OF the questions
ut issue between the belligerent Powers
THE PORTEs APPEAL.
The successes obtained by the Russian arms in
Europe and Asia convinced the Porte that 1t should
endeuvor TO bring TO close hOstilities which were
causing immense surel1ngs to Its subjects The
government of the sultan accordingly addressed to
The neutral Powersparties to the treaties relating
to the Turkish Emplre-an appeal or their GOOD
offices. 1t did not, however, appear to majority
Of the Powers thus addressed that they could use
fully comply with the request, and they cOmmun.
Gated this opinion to the Porte.
RUSSIA APPLIED TO by ENGLAND
The Porte then determined on making separate
appeal TO my government and at once agreed to
make an inquiry Of the Emperor OF Russia
tam oversres for peace es rSe w00q Emnerar anter
expressed ana in reply his earnest iesire
as TO the course which should be pursued for It's at
taibment Upon this subject communications nave
taken place between the governments OF Russia
and Turkey through my good ofiices and earn
estly trust they may lead TO pacific solution of
The points at issue ana to the termination of the
war NO efforts on my part Will be wanting 10 pro.
IN far fhnr
proceeded, neither OF the belligerents have in.
iringcd the conditions on which my neutrality is
iounded and willingly believe both 30 rites are de.
power.
SUPPLIES ASKED FOR.
so long as these conditions are not nfringed nv
attitude will continue the same but cannot con.
ceal from myself that should hostites be unor.
tunately prolonged some unexpected occurrence
may render 1t incumbent on me to adopt measures
Of precaution. Snch measures could not be eiec.
tually taken without adequate prepa ration and I
trust to the llberaty OF my Parliament to supply
the means which may be required for that PURPOSE
Papers on these affairs viii be forthwith laid before
y0u.
FOREIGN RELATIONS,
My relations with all foreign Powers continue
friendly.
THE INDIAN FAMINE
am thankful that the terrible famine which
ravaged Southern India Is nearly ut an end Strenu
GUS and successful exertons have been made by
my local governments to relieve the sufe rings or
the population. and IN that duty they have been
powerfully seconded by the liberal aid OF nv people
an inquiry shall be made into the measures most
proper to diminish the danger OF such caamlties
THE SOUTH AFRICAN TROUBLE
The condition OF native affairs IN South Africa
manded the watchiu attention OF my government
nave thought 1t expedient to reinforce my troops
IN that part OF my Empire. trust that a beaceabe
anu satisfactory settlement OF all differences NAV
he shortly obtained
MEASURES TO DE PROPOSED.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS-I have
dlrected the estimates OF the year to be prepared
ana presented 10 you without delay.
,, oHps AND M, uENTLEMES-A bih Will be laid before
your attention will be again called to the consd.
Grafton ol the Factory law and to the summary
at an early period OF the session to take into your
consideration bill on the subject Of the cattle
Sted to the subject OF intermediate education in
Ireland bill Will be laid before you to simplify
ana express In one act the whole law and proce.
uure relating To indictable offences. commend
these subjects 10 yonr most careful consIde ration
and pray that the blessing oi the Almighty may
attend and guide your deliberations.
THE ADDRESS IN THE LORDS
In the House OF Lords the address in reply to the
Queens speech was moved by the Earl OF wharn.
clide and seconded by the Earl OF Loudoun.
GRANVILLE CRITICIsEs BHAcoNspIELn
In the debate on the address In the House OF
Lords Earl Granville said the utterances of Lord
Deaconsdeld during the recess had been couched
In tone OF belgerent neutrality. and had diff
1ered from the sentiments expressed by his col
leagues He said If the assurances given by Russia
In regard to British interests were unsatisfactory
Parliament should have been called together I'm.
mediatey. If they were satisfactory the only ef
iect Of summoning Parliament now was to cause
feeling OF insecurity.
BEACoNFlELD's REroRT.
Lord Beaconsneld said the summons to Parlia.
ment was issued when there at first appeared to
be an opportunity Tor the Inauguration OF peace
negotiations. The Porte's appeal to England 10
Ultimate her readiness to open peace negotiations