The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-10
British Foreign Relations Declared
to Be Of the Most Friendly
Character.
of the Measures
to Be Proposed by the
Administration.
Tho Irish Loca, Government Bill Is De-
clared to Mean Increased Conf
dence In That Country.

LONDON, Feb. 9.-Parliament reassembled
to-day. The queen's speech, opening tho
session, was read. It expresses her graft
tude for the sympathy Of the people in her
late bereavement. Among other things the
message states that an agreement has been
concluded with the United States defining
the mode by which the disputes regarding
the seal fisheries in the Bering sea are to be
referred to arbitration. England's rela-
tions with all the foreign powers, the mes
sage declares, continue friendly.
Parliament will be asked to pass upon
certain measures, among which will be
proposals applying to Ireland the general
principles of local government already
adopted in Great Britain; q measure for
increasing the number Of small holdings in
agricultural districts in Great Britain; bill
extending the advantages of assisted edu-
cation to Iceland: scheme modifying the
system of procedure in regard to prlvnte
hills, SO far as it affects Scotland and Irs-
land. Proposals will also be submitted for
improving the discipline of the established
church in regard to moral offenses; revising
existing agreements between the govern
ment and Bank Of England, and amending
the law with respect to the liability Of enl-
ployers for injuries sustained by employees.
In the house of lords this afternoon,
Earl Kimberly, of Dublin. expressed sur
prise that the ausen's speech made no ref
erence to the dispute with France over the
Newfoundland affair. Lord Salisbury said
the present settlement of the question was
not due to any action Of the government,
but to tho people of Newfoundland them
selves. The absence OF special reference in
the queens speech to the order and pros
perity prevailing in Ireland showed the
confidence of the government in that coun-
tty's fitness for local self government. The
fact that an Irish local government bill
was proposed implied that conditions now
prevailed in Ireland which justified the
government in giving that country extended
powers OF local control. With regard to
Egypt Lord Salisbury said TINT after the
sacrifices G eat Britain had made in con-
nection with that country he believed he
would never surrender her supremacy there
to any rover. The nda ess in reply to the
speech from the throne was moved by Earl
Dudley ana passed.
In the commons this afternoon Balfour,
successor to the late Vim. Henry Smith,
government leader, received Il prolonged
ovation lom his friends. He gave notice
GhuG ne WOulQ introduce an lflSl lOcal gov
ernment bill and would move Thursday
next that Edward De Corbin, member for
East Belfast, who is now fugitive, be re-
quested to attend the house Feb. 90. Hodge
moved the adoption of all address in reply
to the queens speech. Sir VIM. Vernon
Harcourt expressed the sympathy of the
opposition for the royal family in their
bereavement. Next, he said, tho opposi-
tion recognized the merits of Balfour as a
leader, and he believed Bnlfour would III
ways sustain the honor and privilege of
the house of commons. With regard to an
Itish local government bill he said it was
matter he wished ca ried out. If a genu-
inc. honest measure is presented this opos-
tion would support it, but they could not
regard it ms local government, if only some
application of the county council system
was to bs taken as settling the question OF
self government. Harcourt said Salisbury's 8
recent speech at Exeter about the Catholic
regime in Ireland, didn't promise we'll. for
the liberality Of the coming bill. Sails
bury's remarks he declared were as un-
founded historically rs they we unstates-
manlike in character. Balfour in reply
said Harcourt had distorted the meaning
of the Exeter speech. The proposals Ct the
ministers would show that the government
had confidence in Catholic majority.