The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-17
THE QUEENS SPEECH.

The Queens speech at the opening of
Parliament was rather more significant
than usual Ordinarily the speech on
this occasion is remarkably colorless, not
TO say meaningless, but this one con-
tanned some interesting points. The as
surance with which it opens that mo
international complication has arisen in
any quarter calculated TO endanger the
peace of Europe" followed by state
ment that the war between China and
Japan has been brought to conclu-
sion which / trust will endure" seems
intended to allay any fears of jingoism
in the new government. 1t is virtually
an assurance that as far as England is
concerned the restoration Of the Con-
sentative party to power means a con-
tinuance of peace.
The refernece to the outbreak in China
does not hold out any encouragement to
those who have demanded armed inter-
ference In that country. The Queen
says:
/ deeply regret to say that most afro
cious outrages a body OF English mis-
sionaries are reported from the province
Of Fuh-Kien, In China. In reply TO earn
est representations addressed to the Chi
nese government by my direction, active
measures. which. / trust, will prove eff
fective, are being taken for the punishment
of the murderers and all persons in any
degree responsible for these crimes.
This condemns the outrages as strong
ly as any one could desire, but clearly
indicates that the only legitimate remedy
is through the Chinese government. and
that, in reply to earnest representations
II has already instituted measures for
the punishment of the perpetrators of
the outrages. This is all that could be
asked of any government, or that any
other government ought to ask of China.
The fact that the Chinese government
is, in Christian parlance, heather"
government, must not make US forget
that it is one OF the proudest and most
titled to every consideration accorded
to any sovereignty. The Queens gov
eminent understands this too well to
hold out any encouragement of resort
to extraordinary means to avenge the
outrages in China until that government
shall have proved unwilling or unable
to suppress them and punish the perpe-
traitors.
The London Times is probably correct
in characterizing that portion Of the
speech in reference to the outrages in
Armenia as ''the weightiest and most
pregnant heard in Parliament for a long
time" After stating that these outrages
have filed Christian peoples with indig-
nation, the Queen adds:
Ny ambassador and the ambassadors of
the Emperor of Russia and the President
OF the French republic, acting together.
have suggested to the government OF the
Sultan reforms which, in their opinion, are
necessary to prevent recurrence of con-
slant disorder. These proposals are now
being considered by the Sultan and / am
anxiously awaiting his decision.
These are indeed weighty words. They
are ct once a warning to the Sultan not
only that the outrages in Armenia must
stop. but that he must pledge himself to
reforms which will prevent their flu
ture recurrence. The Queen implies that
the reforms proposed by the joint pow
ers are in the nature Of an ultimatum,
and that much may depend upon his
action. This part Of the address re-
ceives added significance from the Ian
guage used by the Prime Minister in his
to Lord Rosebery he said:
The permaneuce of the Sultans rule Is
involved in the conduct he pursueS. If the
cries OF misery continue the Sultan must
realize that Europe will become weary of
appeals and the fictitious strength which
the powers have given the empire will fail
it, The Sultan will make a calamitous mis-
take if he refuses to accept the advice of
the European powers.
Continuing. Lord Salisbury said the
Sultan should remember that his indie
pendence was the result of an agreement
among the powers, and that he should
not presume too far upon their willing
ness to maintain "a fictitious stability.
the maintenance of which had already
become a moral burden" to Europe.
These expressions of the Prime Minister
gave additional significance to an unu-
sually interesting Queens speech.