The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-18
ENGLAND.
THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.
Address Of Her Maj esty-Its Tone
PeaeefnI-Speeeh OF Lord
BeacOnsfeId.

PeaeefnI-Speeeh OF Lord
BeaconsfeId.
LONDON, January l7.-Parliament met
to-day. As the Queen did lot open the
session in person there was no state cere-
monisl, and the proceedings were con-
fined to what usually takes place when
the opening is by royal commission.
The following is
Her Mnjesty's speech.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN:--Ih have
thought fit to assemble you before the
usual period of your meeting in order
that you might become acquainted with
the efforts l have made TO end the war
now devastating eastern Europe and
Armenia, and that / might have the
advice and assistance of my Parliament
in the preseLt state of pubic affairs.
You are aware that after having
unsuccessfuIly striven to avert that war
l declared my intention to observe
neutrality in contest which l lsmented
but had tailed to prevent so long as the
interests OF my empire, as defined by my
govern ment, were not threatened. l ex-
pressed at the same time my earnest de.
sire to svsiI myself of any opportunity
which might present itself Tor promoting
peaceful settlement OF the questions at
issue bstween the belligerents. The sue
cesses obtained by the Russian armies in
Europe and Asia convinced the Porte
that it should endeavor to bring TO
close hostilities which were causing I'M
mense suflerings to its subjects. The
government OF the Sultan accordingly
addressed 10 the neutral powers
who were parties 10 the treaties
relating to the Turkish Empire
an appeal for their good offices. 1t did
not, however, appear to majority OF
the powers thus addressed that they,
could usefully comply with the request
and they communicated this opinion to
the Porte The Porte then determined
on making separate appeal to my gov
eminent, and / at once agreed 70 make
inquiry of the Emperor OF Russia, if His
Imperial Majesty would entertain an
overture Tor peace. The Emperor ex-
pressed in reply his esrnes. desire for
peace, and stated ut the same time his
opinion as TO the course which
should be pursued for its at
tainment. On this subject communi.
cations have taken place between
the governments OF Russia and Turkey
through my good offices, and | earnestly
trust that they may lead to pacific So
luton of the poi is at issue, and to ter
mination OF the war. No efforts on my
psrL will be wanting to promote that
end. Hitherto so far rs the war has pro
cgeded, neither beligerents have in
frirged on the conditions On which my
neutrality is founded, and willingly be-
leve that both parties are deslrOuS TO re-
spect them SO tar as it may be in their
power. SO long rs these conditions are
not lnlringed upon. my attitude will con-
tinue the same, but / cannot conceal
from myself that, should the hostilities
be unfortunately prolonged, some
unexpected occurrence may render
it incumbent upon me to adopt mes
uIes OF precsution. Such measures could
not be efiectuslly taken without adequate
preparation, and trust 10 the lbersiIty
Of my parliament to supply the means
which may be required for that purpose.
LONDON, January l7.-ln the debate
on the address in the house OF Lords,
Earl Granville said that the utterances
of Lord Besconsield during the recess
had been cOuched in n tone OF belliger
ent neutrality, and had differed from the
sentiments expressed by his colleagues.
He said that if the assurances given by
Russia in regard to British interests were
unsatisfactory, Parliament should have
been called together at once; if they
were salts 'sctory, the only effect of sum-
mohing Parliament now was TO cause q
feeling of insecurity.
Lord Besconstield said that the sum-
mons TO Parliament was issued when
there At first appeared TO be an oppor-
tunity for the Inauguration OF peace ne
gotlations. The Porte's appeal TO
England 10 initiate the resdi-
ness of Turkey 10 make peace
negotiations was in a measure made al
the instance OF the British government,
although 1t Was a. the same time spon.
tsneously adopted by the Porte. Lord
Beacons1eld ropudlsted the newspaper
statements concerning the governments
policy, and strongly repudisted the sccu-
sstion of division in the Cabinet. When
the government, after mature delibers.
tion, decided on policy OF neutrality,
they were not influenced by consIders-
tlous in re gard to the value Of hsrs or
Baloum, but had 10 consider the policy OF
many other countries T1e govern.
ment never varied from the decision
it hsd first arrived Al. Lord Beacons-
field declared he had written no letter on
public affairs during the recess, sid hsd
only spoken once and then in the presence
Of lis colleagues, On which occasion
be had, with their spprovsl, declared
the governments policy 70 be one OF
conditional neutrality. Derby's tellcltous
statement "thst the greatest British IN
terest Is peace" WAS rhetorical eIpre5
sion, but Lord Granville seemei to take
il As = statistical isct. Peace lssunlver.
sal interest, but when speaking Of British
Interests the government meant materlsi
interests, the sources of wealth or safe
guards Of the strength Of the country,
When they spoke thus they were tod
thst IT was y mistake 70 suppose
that they were interests peculiar 10
England, or If they were they
should hide them. He did not think
thst the Government by defining the
British interests justified the imPutition
OF Sc fshness, IS sIi countries frankly
declared that they were adjusted By
the same motives He dId nos sdmi:
that the Govern ment's having sam moned
parliament imposed on them the duty OF
im mmedistely explaining the spprehen-
sions which caused them 70 do SC. Suf-
fee it is 70 say, negotistions hsd been
brought about which might or might not
be successful, ss the Government consld-
cred, there were British Interests
which must not be endangered If the
contest goes on.
Lord Beaconshelt pointed to The open
ing OF the present negotiations g. proof
-. E..l.zI ,.,.. -. iao stef prnha-