The San Francisco call., 1896-02-12
In Both Branches Replies to
the Address Are Made
et Once.
VENEZUELA AND TRANsVAAL
Questions That the British States
men Promise to Settle Soon
and Amicably.

LONDON, Enc, Feb. 11.-Parliament
assembled to-day. after a recess of 160days,
for what promises to be one of the most
important sessions Of recent years. There
were the usual crowds about Westminster,
and the best known of the members as
they made their appearance on foot or in
vehicles were heartily cheered. Especially
demonstrative were the receptions given
to the Marquis of Salisbury, Henry Broad
hurst, the workingmen's representative,
Anthony Mundella, Sir William Vernon
Harcourt, Herbert Gladstone, Thomas
Burt, the miner, John Burns and Explorer
Stanley.
Both houses filed up unusually early,
and with few exceptions every member of
the Commons was in his place when the
gentleman usher of the Black Rod, Ad-
miral Sir Edmund Commerill, made his
appearance and with the usual formalities
summoned them to appear in the House
of Lords for the purpose of hearing the
Queens speech, which was as follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen: continue to re-
ceive from other powers ass uranees of friendly
sentiments. An agreement has been con-
cluded between my Government and France,
the principal object of which is to secure the
establishment of the independence OF Siam.
The Commissioners of the delimitation OF
the frontier which separates my Indian en-
pire and Afghanistan from Russia have agreed
upon line which has been accepted by N.Y.
SELF and the Emperor of Russia.
The Government of the United States OF
America has expressed wish to cooperate in
the termination OF the differences which have
existed for many years between my Govern
snent and the republic of Venezuela upon the
4uestfon of TIE boundary between that coiIn-
try and the colony of British Guiana.
have expressed my sympathy with the de-
sire 10 come to an equitable arrangement and
trust that further negotiations will lead to a
satisfactory result. The Sultan of Turkey has
sanctioned the principal REFORMS in the gov
ernment OF Armenian provinces, for which,
Jointly with the Emperor of Russia and the
President of the French Republic, have felt
it my duty to press deeply regret the fanat-
ical outbreak on the part of section of the
Turkish population which has resulted in a
series of massacres which have caused the
deepest indignation in this country.
A sudden incursion into the South African
Republic by an armed force from the territory
under control of the British South Africa Com
pany resulted in deplorable collision with
the burgher forces.
My Ministers at the earliest possible moment
intervened TO prohibit, through the Govern
Inent, this hostile action and to warn all my
1t. The origin and circumstances of these pro-
ceedings will be made the subject of a search
ing investigation.
The President of the South African Republic
acting in this matter with moderation and wis
dom, has agreed to place the prisoners in the
hands of my Government. l have undertaken
10 bring TO trial the leaders of the expedition.
The conduct of the President of the South
African Republic upon this occasion and the
assurances which he has voluntarily given
lead me TO believe that he recognizes the i'm
portance OF redressing the legitimate griey-
ances of which complaint has been made by a
majority of the persons inhabitng the Trans
vaal.
The condition of affairs in Ashantee and the
violation by the King, at Kumasi, OF the pro-
visions of the treaty of 1874, as regarded the
suppression of the practice of offering human
sacrifices, the freedom OF trade ana the main
tenace of cOmmu nications, have for some years
engaged the serious attention of my Govern
ment. All endeavors to induce the King to
observe his engagements proved fruitless, and
it became necessary to send an armed expedi-
tion to Kumasi to enforce the conditions of the
treaty. While rejoice to announce that the
objects of the expedition have been achieved
without bloodshed, have to deplore the loss
from the seventies of the climate of some
valuable lives, including that of my beloved
son-fn-law, Prince Henry OF Battenberg, who
volunteered his services. ! and my dear
daughter are greatly touched and comforted
blythe widespread sympathy which has been
shown by my subjects throughout the Empire,
at home and abroad.
Geetlemen of the House of Commons:
have directed the estimates for service for the
year to be laid before you. They have been
prepared with the utmost regard to economy,
but the exigencies OF the times require an in.
creased expenditure.
MY lords and gentlemen: The extension and
improvement of the naval defenses of the en-
pire is the most important subject to which
your efforts can be directed and will doubtless
occupy your most earnest attention. Iregret
TO say that the condition of agriculture is dis
astrous bey ond recent experience.
Measures viii be laid before you with the OBJ
iect of mitigating the distress of the classes en-
gagged in that industry. Measures will also be
submitted 10 you for the creation of voluntary
schools for the regulations of alien pauper i'm
migration and for the construction of light
RAILWAYS of the rural districts. You will also
be asked to consider the employers limited
liability bin, an Irish land bill and measure
for the formation of an Irish board OF agricul-
ture.
l commend these weighty matters to your ex-
perienced judgment and pray that your labors
may be blessed by the guidance and favor OF
Almighty God.
The House of Commons after listening
to the Queens speech in the House OF
Lords resumed its sitting at o'clock, the
usual hour of assembling. except on
Wednesdays. when the House meets at
noon. The Right Hon. Joseph Chamber
lain, Secretary of State for the Colonies,
entered the House shortly after it had
been called 10 order, and was vociferousiy
cheered. Right Hon. George J. Goschen,
First Lord of the Admiralty, announced
that on February l3 the Government
would introduce a bill providing for the