Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-02-14
THE QUEENS SPEECH.
HER MAJEsTY's ADDRESS At THE
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

willing 70 Cooperate with the United
states In settlement Of the Venezuelan
Dispute-No Solution Of the Armenian
Question Suggested.
LONDON, Feb 1.-THE queens speech,
read at the opening Of parliament today,
Is the most important document that has
emanated from the throne In many years,
touching as 1t does upon the various com
plications in Great Britain's foreign rela-
tlons. In the course Of the address the
queen says:
~ continue to receive from other pow
ers the assurances of their friendly senti-
ments.
An agreement has been concluded be-
tween my government and the govern
ment Of France, having for its object the
independence of Siam.
"The commission for the dellmitation
Of the frontier, which separates my Indian
empire and Afghanistan from Russia have
agreed upon a line which has been accept
ed by myself and the emperor OF Russia
"The government OF the United States
have expressed wish to corporate In
bringing to a close the difficulties which
have existed for many years between my
government and the republic of Venezue-
la regarding the boundary between that
country and British Guiana. have ex-
pressed my sympathy with the desire to
come to an equitable arrangement, and /
trust that further negotiations will lead
TO a satisfactory settlement"
Regarding the Turkish situation, the
queen said
1.-THE sultan Of Turkey has sanctioned
the principal reforms in the government
of Armenia, for which, in conjunction
with the government of the emperor OF
Russia and of the president Of the French
republic, / have felt it my duty to press.
l deeply regret that a fanatical outbreak
OF the Turkish population has resulted in
a series Of massacres in those provinces,
which have caused the deepest indignA-
tion In this country"
The Transvaal Incident.
This Is colorless enough, under the or
cumstances, but the description Of the
Transvaal situation will be somewhat
more significant The utteranoe on this
subject is
"a sudden incursion into the South
African Republic by an armed force from
the territory under the control Of the Brit
ish South Africa company resulted in a
collision with the hurgher forces. My
ministers, at the earliest possible moment,
interviewed TO prohibit through the high
commissioner, this hostile action, a TO
warn all my subjects throughout South
Africa against taking part in it.
"The origin and circumstances of these
proceedings will form the subject of search
ing inquiry.
"The president Of the South African
| Republic acting in this measure with
moderation and wisdom, agreed to place
| the prisoners in the hands of my high
commissioner, and / have undertaken To
bring to trial the leaders of these men.
Tho conduct Of the president of the South
| African Republic on this occasion and
| his assurances, which he has voluntarily
| given, lead me to believe that he recog-
nizes the importance of redressing the 10.
gitimate grievances of which complaint
has been made by persons now inhabitine
the Transvaal."
In the course Of the reference to the
Ashanti expedition the queen said;
"While / rejoice that the object of the
expedition was achieved without blood
shed, have to deplore the loss, from the
severity Of the climate, Of some valuable
lives, including that Of my beloved son
in-law, his royal highness Prince Henry
Of Battenberg, who voluntarily placed
himself at the service Of mysef and hi
adopted country. and my dear daughtei
are greatly touched in this heavy bereave
ment by the widespread sympathy showr
by my subjects at home and abroad.
Among the bills proposed will be al
employers liability measure, one provid
ing for voluntary schools, another touch
ing upon the Irish land law reform, on
for the relief of agricultural distress anC
one for the establishment Of board o
agriculture in Ireland.
There is also an allusion to the increas
in the naval defenses.