The Portland daily press., 1880-02-06
EUROPE.
Opening of the British Parliament.
THE QUEENS SPEECH.

LONDON. Feb. 5.-The royal procession pre-
liminary to the opening of Parliament took
place in accordance with the programme. The
Queen arrived at the House of Lords at o.
clock. Lord Cairns read the Queens speech.
The ceremony lasted Is minutes.
The Queens speech is as follows:
Ma Lords and Gentlemen: 1t is with much
satisfaction that l again resort to the advice
and assistance of my Parliament. My rela-
lions with all the powersi continue friendly
The course of events since the prorogation of
Parliament has tended to furnish additional
security to the maintenance of European
peace on the principles laid down by the
Treaty of Berlin. Much, however, still re-
mains to be done to repair the disorder with
which the late war has affected many parts
of the Turkish Empire. A convention for the
suppression of the slave trade has been con.
cluded between my government and that OF
His Imperial Majesty, the Sultan.
At the close of your last session expressed
the hope that the treaty OF Gundamuk mad
happily terminated the war in Afghanistan.
In conformity with its provisions, my envoy
with his retinue was honorably received and
entertained by the Amer at Cabul. While
engaged, however, in the exercise OF their
duty he and those connected with the embas-
sy were treacherOusly attacked by overwhelm-
ing numbers and after heroic defence they
were almost all massacred. An outrage so
intolerable called for condign chastisement,
and my troops, who, pursuant to the stipula-
tons of the treaty, either had Withdrawn or
were withdrawing from the territories govern
ed by the Ameer, were ordered to retrace
their steps. The skill exhibited in the rapid
march upon Cabul and in the advances upon
other lines of action, reflects the highest credit
upon the officers and men of my British and
native forces, whose bravery has shone with
wonted lustre in every collision with the enc
my. The abdication of the Ameer and the
unsettled condition of the country render the
recall of my troops impossible for the present,
but the principle on which my government has
hitherto acted remains unchanged, and while
determined to make the frontiers of my Indian
empire strong, desire to be in friendly rela-
tons alike with those who may rule in
Afghanistan and with the people of that coun-
try.
My anticipations as to an early establishment
of peace in South Africa have been fulfilled.
The capture of the position of the Zulu king,
and the breaking up of the military organiza-
ton on which his dynasty was based, have re-
lieved my possessions in that part of the world
from the danger which seriously impeded
their advancement and consolidation. In
Basutoland a native outbreak of considerable
importance has been effectually quelled by my
Colonial forces, while the transvaal has been
freed from the dePredations of a powerful
chief, who, having successfully resisted the
former government of the country, had per-
sistently rejected our attempts at conciliatlon,
l have reason to hope that the time is now APP
preaching when an important advance may be
made toward the establishment of union or
confederation, under which the powers of
sef-government already enjoyed by the inhab-
itants of the Cape Colony may be extended to
my subjects in other parts of South Africa.
The papers on these and other matters will be
forthwith laid before you.
Several Home Rulers gave notice today of
an intention to move amendments to the reply
to the Queens address, calling attention to
and consuming the government for its neglect
of Irish affairs.
In the Commons debate was had upon
amendments to address in answer to the
Queens speech. House finally adjourned
without action. In the Lords the address was
agreed to and the House adjourned.
The French Railroad Accident.
PARIS, Feb. 6.-Eleven deaths has already
occurred from the accident on the Circular
railroad at Clichy. The most noteble are
Count De Puyfersat and M. Marat, an eminent
architect. The number of wounded is COM
puted at 60, and of these some are likely to
die. Hayme, stage manager, and Jolly,
comedian, are in critical condition. In the
official report is is stated there was an interval
of ten minutes between the starting of the
trains.