The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-06
any LORDS AND GENTLEMEN. y
Queen Victoria Opens Parlia-
ment With a Speech.
Her Majesty Finds Satisfying
State of Affairs.
The Armenian Atrooitiss, the Condition
OF Affairs In Ireland and Other
Matters Referred to.


lows:
My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN My re-
iations with foreign powers remain
friendly and on a satisfactory footing.
An agreement has been concluded, after
protracted negotiations between my
government and that OF the French re-
public for settlement of the frontier
between my colony at Sierra Leone and
neigh boring French possessions.
regret to say war between China and
Japan still continues. | have main
tanned q close and cordial understand
ing with the powers interested in these
regions, and shall lose no favorable OPP
portunity of promoting peace and the
termination of the contest.
In consequence of reports which
reached my government OF excuses
committed by Turkiih troops, regular or
irregular, on Armenians in a district in
Asia Minor. thought it right. in con-
junction with other powers, to make
representations to the porte. The sui
tan has declared his intention OF
severely Furnishing any Of his officers or
soldiers who have been guilty OF such
acts, and has sent com mission to con-
duct an investigation on the spot. Del
egstes from the powers and consuls at
Erzsroum will accompany this oommis-
zion.
l am happy to observe the striking
fact that in Ireland offsnses of all kinds
against the law have sunk during the
past year to the lowest level ever
marked in the official records. Propos-
ais will be submitted to you for remeoy-
ing the defects which experience has
brought to light in the working of the
law OF landlord and tenant in Ireland,
and the dealing with certain evicted
tenants, whose situations still continue
q peril to social order.
A bill will be presented to you dealing
with church establishment in Wales.
Bills will also be submitted for popular
control Of the liquor traffic and sboli-
tion of plural voting and provision for
the payment of charges of returning
officers at elections.
Also bills for the unification Of Lon
don and facilitating the construction OF
light railways, which trust will be in
every District.
In view OF the agricultural depression,
bill for the promotion of Cancellation
in trade disputes, and amendment to
factory accounts; bill for the complies
ton of q system of county govern ment
for Scotland and for further legislation
for the crotters will be submitted to
you.
Formal business was resumed in the
house ct 4 o'clock with the swearing in
OF new members, etc. The party lead-
era were cheered ON taking their seats.
The varioug ministers gave notice that
they would introduce on Thursday next
the different bills mentioned in the
queens speech.
Mr.. Hobhouse, who wore court dress
in moving the address in reply to the
queens epeech, congratulated the house
on the fact that the policy OF concilia-
ton pursued the last three years toward
Ireland had produced the happy result
of auietude there.
After Mr.. Holland had seconded the
address, Mr.. Balfour alluded in eulo-
Ristic terms to the late Lord Randolph
Churchill, and then Gsid that he would
not refer TO foreign affairs, as the oppo-
siticn did not intend to EN- barrass the
government in those matters by criti-
cisms uttered in public 30 long ss the
government proposed to take care OF
English interests.
Mr.. Balfour wanted to know why the
navy was not mentioned In the speech,
and he objected to the suggestion that
the improvement OF affairs in Ireland
was duo to the conciliatory policy for
the last three years. This improve
menr had been continuous for some
years past prior to the advent of John
Morley. He ridiouled the programme
OF the government. The whole position
of the government was so curious that
he hoped that some authoritative mem
haV rAtyn n 80 he,
address go that the house could express
its opinion on the subject.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, after
paying tribnte to the memory of Lord
Randolph Churchill said in regard to
the navy that the government intended
to Loyalty carry out ita policy IS already
announced. The government believed
the psrmanepcy OF tranquility in Ire.
land depended ON wise system OF self.
government. They would continue TO
pursue that great end and would labor
to carry into effect a plan which ehould
be satisfactory to the Irish people
Justin Mccarthy eaid be believed the
improving condition of Ireland waa due
to the Irish people who now felt that
they had strong friende in Great Britain
and had strong hope from the present
government and sfrom the people OF
Great Britain. He hoped that the gov
eminent would consider that the time
had come for extending of amnesty to
the Irish political prisoners. Some
things had been done fox laborers in
Ireland and there ahould be legislation
in regard to Irish land which would tend
to relieve the agricultural depression in
Ireland when depression meant gtarva-
ton.
Charles Howard Vincent, conserva-
tive, moved an amendment to the ad.
drees in reply to the queens speech,
declaring that steps should be taken to
remove statutory or treaty obstacles to
customs union between the different
parts of the empire.
Sydney Buxton replied in behalf OF
thu government. He said the queens
speech at the closing of the last session
OF parliament referred TO the Ottawa
conference and therefore any further
reference was considered needless on the
present occasion. bus the government
had no intention to slight the colonies.
The government had given the matter
attention. and proposed to take action
on one point during the present session.
Action on the other point would follow.
He agreed that the Australian, like
other ssi-ruling colonies. should be
allowed to enter into fiscal arrangements
with one another. In view OF the state-
ment made by MIR. Buxton. Dir. Vincent
withdrew his amendment.
La the house of lords formal business
was resumed at the Same hour as in the