The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-16
The Queen Calls Attention to
the OutrageS in China
and Armenia.
REFORMS GREATLY DESIRED.
At Present, However, Parliament Is
Asked to Attend to Only
Routine Affairs.

Commons met at O'Clock this afternoon,
and the members were at once summoned
by the Usher of the Black Rod to the
House of Lords to hear the reading OF the
Queens speech. The speech was as fol-
lows:
"My Lords and Gentlemen: Communi-
cations which 1 received from foreign
powers assure me of the continuance of
their good will. l am happy to say that
no international complication has arisen
in any quarter that is calculated to endan-
ger the peace of Europe. The war between
China and Japan, which was in progress
at the end of the last session, was brought
to a conclusion by peace which l trust
will be enduring. 1 have observed strict
neutrality during the war and have not
taken any action in respect thereto, ex-
cept such as appeared likely to be favor
able to the termination of hostilities.
II deeply regret to say that most afro
cious outrages upon body of English
missionaries have been reported in the
province of Fukhien, China. In reply to an
earnest representation addressed to the
Chinese Government by my directions
active measures, which l trust will prove
effective, are being taken to punish the
murderers and all who were in any degree
responsible for these crimes.
international troubles which have
broken out in the Armenian districts of
Asiatic Turkey have been attended with
horrors which have moved the indigna-
ton of the Christian nations of Europe
generally, my people especially. My En-
bassador and the ambassadors of the En-
peror of Russia and the President of the
French Republic, acting together, have
suggested to the Government of the Sultan
the reforms which in their opinion are
necessary 10 prevent a recurrence of con-
slant disorder. These proposals are now
being considered by the Sultan. l am
anxiously awaiting his decision.
Gentlemen OF the House of Commons,
the estimates for service for the year,
which were not voted by the last Parlia-
ment, will be laid before you. My lords
and gentlemen, at this season of the year
it will probably be found more convenient
to defer until another session consideration
of any important legislative matters, ex-
cept those necessary to provide for admin
istrative charges of the year."
The commission to read the Queens
speech consisted of: Lord Halsbury (the
Lord Chanceilorl, the Duke of Portland,
the Earl of Latham, Viscount Cross
and Lord Balfour of Burleigh. All
were attired in their scarlet and ermine
robes of office. Lord Halsbury read the
speech, while Speaker Gulley and the
members of the House of Commons stood
at the bar. When the reading was con-
cluded the Speaker and the other men,
bers of the House of Commons retired to
their own chambers.
In the House of Lords the Duke of
Marlborough moved the address in reply
to the Queens speech, which motion was
seconded by Lord Ainpthill.
In the House of Commons Hon. Twode-
house Leigh, Conservative, and eldest son
of Lord Newton, moved the address in re-
ply to the Queens speech. Newton was
seconded by the new Conservative mem
Der for Hackney, T. Herbert Robertson
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer in the Liberal Minis
try and leader OF the Liberals in the
House, said he hoped the Armenian cues
ton would not be allowed to sleep. He
pressed the Government for information
as to its intentions regarding the Irish
question.
Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, First Lord of
the Treasury, said the Government was
doing their best to carry into effect the
policy regarding Armenia that had been
initiated by the preceding Parliament, but
they must guard against anything sugges-
tive of crusade in which Moslem would
be arrayed against Christian. 1t did not
appear to be necessity, Mr.. Balfour de-
clared, that any legislation upon the Irish
land question should be had until the next
session of Parliament.
Sir Charles W. Dixie reminded the
House that the Chinese Government had
always protested against the residence of
missionaries in the empire, and said that
the missionaries certainly ought to con-
form in every possible way to the customs
of the country; but, he added, he feared
that they did not always do so.
John Redmond, the Parnellite leader,
then moved the amendment to the address
in reply to the Queens speech, of which
he had previously given notice. calling
upon the Government to declare their
policy in regard to home rule for Ireland
the reform of the land laws, the COM
pulsory purchase of land, evicted tenants
and the industrial condition of the coun-
try. The amendment was seconded by
Joseph Kenny.
John Dillon, speaking in support
of Mr.. Redmond's amendment, contended
that the home-rulers had returned to Par
lament stronger than ever, having won
from the Unionists two seats in Ireland,
where the national opinion had not been
altered by the English political revoiu-
ton. Mr.. Dillon admitted that there was
an ominous silence in America regarding
the Irish question, which, he confessed,
he did not like.
1t was sign, he said, that the mighty
work effected by Parnell i'll leading the
people there to believe that Ireland's cause
would be won by constitutional agitation
in Parliament had been destroyed. He
appealed to the Government to use its
strength by showing justice.
Gerald w. Balfour, Chief Secretary for
Ireland thanked the Irish members who
had spoken for the moderate language
they had used. The Governments atti-
tude toward home rule, he said, was and
would continue to be, one of untiinching
opposition. They could not introduce a
land hill now OWING IN its pacaccar;lx, oo,,