The Portland daily press., 1886-01-22
FOREIGN.
Queen Victoria Delivers Her Speech
in the House of Lords.
Vigorous Opposition to Any Plan of
Home Rule for Ireland.
Outline of Measures to be Proposed
by the Government.

LONDON, Jan. 21.-The weather to-day
was inauspicious for the appearance of the
Queen in public. 1t was dull heavy day,
and the streets were covered with snow and
slush. But promptly at 1.3O p. nj. the royal
party left Buckingham palace for the House
sof Lords. The route of the royal pageant
had been covered with gravel Her Majesty
rode in an open carriage, drawn by eight
horses The household cavalry acted as
escort to the Queen. Large crowds lined the
streets through which the royal procession
passed, and Her Majesty was greeted with
hearty cheers all along the route.
The scene in the House of Lords was very
brilliant. Peers and peeresses, judges, min
listers and bishops, were present in large
numbers in full court dress. Gas light was
used in the chamber, owing to the absence of
sunlight. This enhanced the beauty of the
scene, as it showed more fully the brilliancy
of jewels and the splendor of the dresses
worn by these present The Queen looked
as if she were suffering from the cold.
Her Majesty. in her speech, says that her
relations with other powers continue friend
ly. The differences with Russia regarding
the Afghanistan boundary have been salts
factorily adjusted. She trusts that the W ork
of the Russo-English commission to demar-
cate the frontier, which is already far adj
vanced in its work. may tend to secure con-
tinuance of peace in Central Asia.
Referring to the rising in Eastern Roume-
liza, Her Majesty says that her object in the
negotiations which have followed the out
break, has been to bring the inhabitants of
that country, according to their wish, under
the Prince of Bulgaria's rule, while main
tanning unimpaired the essential rights of
the Sultan.
The Queen regrets that she was compelled
to declare war against King Thebaw of Bur
nah, owing to acts of hostility by himself
and subjects The gallantry of the forces
under Gen. Prendergast have rapidly over
thrown the Burmese forces, and she has de-
cided that the most certain method of en-
surfing peace is to be found in the permanent
incorporation of Burmah with her Empire.
The negotiations respecting the rights of
the French on the coast of Newfoundland,
have been satisfactorily concluded. With
Spain, also an agreement has been reached,
giving to the British the same commercial
rights as the Germans in the Caroline
Islands.
Parliament would be asked Her Majesty
said, to adopt certain measures rendered
necessary by convention relative to the in
ternational copyright, to which the govern
ment has agreed.
Turning to internal affairs, the Queen said !:
81 regret to say that no material Improvement
can be noted in the condition of trade agricul-
ture. feel the deepest sympathy for the great
number of persons in many avocations of life who
are suffering under pressure, which, trust,
will prove transient.
have seen with deep sorrow the renewal since
last addressed you, of the attempt to excite the
people of Ireland to hostility against the legisla
tive union between that country and Great
Britain am resolutely opposed to any disturb
1 am convinced that shall be heartily supported
by my Parliament and my people The social no
less than the material condition of that country
engages my anxious attention. Although there
has been, during the last year, no marked in
crease of serious crime, there is in many places
concerted resistance to the enforcement of legal
obligations and regret that practices OF organ
lied intimidation continue to exist. l have
caused every exertOn to be used for the detection
and punishment Of these crimes, and no effort
will be spared on the part of my government to
protect my Irish subjects in the exercise of their
legal rights, and in the enjoyment of individual
liberty. If, as my information leads me to appre-
hend, the existing provisions Of law should prove
to be Inadequate to cope with these growing evils,
shall look with confidence to your Willingness to
invest my government with all the necessary
"Bills will be submitted for transferring to rep
resentative councils in the counties of Great
Britain, the local business which Is now trans
acted by the courts of quarter sessions and other
authorities A measure for the reform of the
tion. These measures will involve consideration
of the present incidents of local burdens.
"A bill for facilitating the sale Of glebel lands in
a manner adapted to the wants of the rural pOpu-
lation. will also be submitted to you; will also
bills for removing the difficulties which prevent
an easy and cheap transfer OF land; for mitigating
the distressed condition of the poorer classes in
the western highlands and islands Of Scotland; !;
for the more etfectual prevention of accidents in
mines; for extending the power of the railway
commission in respect to the regulation of rates
and for the codiication of the criminal law.
81 trust that results beneficial to the cause of
education may issue from the royal commission
which have appointed to inquire into the work
ing of the education acts. The promp and effect
i've despatch of important business, which, in an
ever growing proportion, falls to you to transact
will I doubt not occupy your attention.
"In these and all other matters pertaining to
your high functions I earnestly commend YOU to
the keeping and guidance of Almighty God"
In the Lords.
LONDON, Jan. 21-In the Lords the Duke
of Abercorn moved an address in reply to
the speech from the Queen. He spoke of the
grave RESPONSIBILITIES of those who directed
the affairs of the government and said that
one cloud hung over the Empire and that
was the state of Ireland. He mentioned the
must perform in relation to that country,
among which were the maintenance of the
union, suppression of prosecutions of which
he said the national league was guilty, and
defense of the loyal Irish minority. He said
no statesman, whatever else he might be,
would sacrifice the interests of the country
The Earl of Scarborough seconded the mo-
tion.
Lord Salisbury, in his speech outlining the
policy of the government in referring to Ire
land said the government had refralned
f,.o,, yi,afrt tho IO1n ha0anen