New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-06
rur OUEEYS SPEECH.

Tho orcen's Speech contains little that is
novel In IFS references to foreign aHairs' ihc
MADAGASCAR episode and the revision OF various
commercial treaties are briefly recited ana the
French campaign In Tonquin is studiousy
avoided. There is an ambiguous announcement
of the Governments Egyptian policy. Inc re,
scindipp of the orders for the evacuation OF
Cairo and the reduction of the British army OF
occupation is explained as precaution agaiiiS,
possible effects of the massacre OF General
Hickss army. There is no attempt TO limit 'he
term of occupation or to forecast the future ol
either Lower Egypt or the Soudan. Inc
Government does not deem it cxpedient TO take
the country into its confidence respecting It's
Interior purposes in any section OF the Nile. IL
would be q fair Inference from the Speech to
conclude that Lower Egypt may yet be
evacuated, provided tranquility can be restored
in the Soudan OF the prestige of the native army
be regained. There are few Englishmen III
their sober senses who will regard this solution
of the Nile problem rs practicable. Inc
Khedve is now puppet manipulated by OH
Evelyn Barring the Ministers are managed Dy
their English secretaries and the only apparent
reason for keeping up system OF Transparent
make believe is the reluctance OF the LlDera
Government to accept the logic of facts AS III
Cairo. likewise in Khartoum, orders Tor
withdrawal of the garrison have been given, Dut
not until it was impossible to execute tnei,i'
General Gordon has been sent up 'he Nhc
nominally to carry out policy that Is opposeu
to his Judgment, and the Queens speech con-
tains no intmation that his orders VIII oo
rescinded. But it is scarcely credible that any
serious attempt will be made to cut OIL MAR
toum. Berber, Dongola and Kassala from caro-
General Gordon himself has declared that IL
will be neither prudent nor even possible 10
abandon the Eastern Soudan, and the respoh-
sible advisers of the Crown must have convinced
themselves that he was right before sending
him to Khartoum.
The only thing that is positively new III the
foreign summary of the Queens speech Is inc
announcement that the British Government mas
concluded an agreement with Portugal respect
ing the Congo and the adjacent territory Inc
rival enterprises of Mr.. Stanley and Nj. de
Brazza have been regarded with jealousy ana
distrust in Lisbon, and about year ago Loru
Granville was asked to recognize the superior
rights Of the Portuguese Government i'll that
quarter of Africa. These claims were
originally asserted by the Lisbon Geographlcai
Society being grounded upon discovery eX-
ploration and treaty concessions from various
tribes. AS these rights were matters OF con-
troversy and the Portuguese Government cOulu
not be expected to enforce them against France,
the Foreign Office was at first dlslncllned 10
support these pretensions If the agreement
referred to relates to National sovereignty over
territory on each side Of the lower Congo, IL
will excite irritation III Paris.
The domestic measures announced in the
programme for the session include the FRAN
chise BILL the London Government project
which was abandoned at the last session, and
MIR. Chamberlain's Shipping bill. Other pro-
posals are mentioned, but these great measures
will command the attention of Parliament and
leave scant leisure for additional legislation
The form Of the Franchise bill is not indicated,
but it will probably be short and simple
measure for the extension Of the household
suffrage Of the borOughs TO the counties, Ireland
being included in its benefits. The session now
opening promises to be aperiod OF storm and
stress in English politics. Mr.. Gladstoncs
government has passed the meridian of its
power. Already the uncertainties of the
approaching election tend to lessen his personal
influence over his followers. The Reform bill,
being n popular measure may inspire enthusiasm
in the Liberal ranks, but discipline and
harmony are lacking. 1t il orly the Premiers
resolute will that holds the composite Cabinet
together.