Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-10

The Queens SPECIFICATIONS with
The POWers-Irish Affairs Dis
cIIaann-

(By Anglo-Amerlcan cable to tho Dispatch.l
LONDON, February 9.-Parliament as
sembled to-day. The Queens speech,
opening the session, was read by the
ROYAL Commission. 1t is as follows:
NV Lords and Gentlemen, IL con-
tinue to receive from all the Powers cor
dial assurances of friendly sentiments as
well as OF an earnest desire to maintain
the peace OF the world. My officers in
conjunction with those of the Emperor
of Russia, have completed the demar-
cation of the Afghanistan boundary in
conformity with the terms of the con-
yention Of 1887. | trust the work
thus concluded may tend to re-
move the possibility OF mlsunder-
standing between the two Powers
regarding their Asian possessions. Ami
mated by desire to prevent an efusion
of blood, / dispatched a mission to the
King OF Abyssinia with the hope OF dis
suading him from engaging in a war with
Italy. | deeply regret that my efforts
were not successful. The deliberations OF
the conference at Washington to adjust
the questions which have arisen between
Canada and America are still progressing.
The negotiations commenced III 1885 IN
respect to the regulation OF the Suez ca
nal have been brought to conclusion 50
far as the points Of differences between
myself and the French republic are
concerned. | have also entered into an
agreement with France for the protec.
ton of lite and property in the New He
brides by Joint naval commission. The
conference OF delegates from the Powers
interested il the sugar industry, sum-
moned TO meet in London in the autumn
to consider the possibility of ending the
injurious system oil bounties, has made
considerable progress towards the cOnclu-
sion OF satisfactory arrangements.
Gentlemen of the House OF Commons:
The estimates for the services for 1883
which will be laid before you have been
framed with dire regard for economy.
You will be asked TO provide for the i'm
provement OF the defence OF ports aud
coalipg stations rendered urgently ne
cessary by the advance of military
science, and also to sanction an arrange
ment providing for special squadron to
protect the Australian commerce, the
cos. of which will be partially borne by
the colonies.
My Lords and Gentlemen The mea-
sures which, at great labor, you passed
last summer fer the benefit OF Ireland
have been carefully carried into effect
during the period since elapsed. The
result OF this legislation, so far as tested
by this short experience, is satisfactory.
Agragrian crime has decreased and the
power of coerciye conspiracies has sem
sibly abated. Measures tending TO de-
velop the resources of Ireland and 10
facilitate an increase in the number OF
proprietors of the soil will be laid before
you.
Your attention will be invited TO the
subject Of local government in knglsnd.
Measures will be submitted for dealing
with it in combinations, with proposals
for adjusting the relations between local
and imperial finance, and for mitigating
the burdens imposed upon rate-payers.
The prospects of commerce are moro
hopeful than any which | have been able
to point to in many years. i deeply re-
greet that there has been no correspond