Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-12
.QUEEN WGTOR|k'S SPEECH Read at the Opening of ParIia-
 ment Yesterday. "A CONSERVATIVE DOCUMENT An Early Settlement of the Venezuelan Ques-
 tion Is Suggested AGRICULTURlSTS' WOEFUL CONDITION The Queen Says Their Condition Is Disas- trous Beyond Recent Experience.
 She Is Regular Calamity
 Howler.
AGRIcuLIURlsTs' WoEFUL CONDITION

London Feb. 1.-The following is the text of the queens speech which was read at the opening of parliament today:
 My Lords and Gentlemen: I continue to receive from other powers assurances of friendly sentiments.
 An agreement has been concluded be- tween my government and France, the principal object of which is to secure the establishment of the independence of Siam.
 The commissioners for the delimia- tation of the frontier which separates my Indian empire and Afghanistan from Russia have agreed upon line which has been accepted by myself and the emperor of Russia.
 The government of the United States of America have expressed wish to CO., operate in the termination of the differ- ences which have existed for many years between my government and the republic of Venezuela upon the question of the boundary between that country and the colony of British Guiana. 1 have ex- pressed my sympathy with the desire to come to an equitable arrangement and trust that further negotiations will lead to q satisfactory result.
 '"rhe sultan of Turkey has sanctioned the principal reforms in the government of the Armenian provinces for which jointly with the emperor of Russia and the president of the French republic l have felt it to be my duty to press. l deeply regret the fanatical outbreak on the part of section of the Turkish pop ulation, which has resulted In series of massacres, which have caused the deep est indignation in this country.
 "A sudden incurSion into the South African republic, by an armed force from the territory under the control of the British South Africa company, resulted in deplorable collision with the burgh- CTS forces. My ministers, at the earliest possible moment intervened to prohibit, through the governor, this hostile action and to warn all my subjects in South Afffca against taking part in It.
 'ffhe, origin and circumstances of these proceedings will be made the subject of searching inquiry.
 "The president of the South African re- public, acting in this matter with moder- ation and wisdom, has agreed to place the prisoners in the hands of my gov erment, and I have undertaken to bring to trial the leaders of the expedition. "The conduct of the president of the South African republic upon this occa- sion and the assurances which he has voluntarily given lead me to believe that he recognizes the importance of redress ing the legitimate grievances of which complaint has been made by ma jorty of the persons inhabiting the Transvaal.
 '"The condition of affairs in Ashantee and the violation by the king of the pro- visions of the treaty of 1874, as regarded the suppression of the practice of human sacrifices, the freedom of trade and the maintenance of communications, have for some years engaged the serious atten- tion of my government. All endeavors to induce the king to observe his engage ments proved frutless and 1t became nec- er,6 nrVnn Kumasi to-ferce the conditions of the treaty. While I rejoice to announce that 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, in cluding that of my beloved son-in-law, Prince Henry of Battenburg, who volun- teered his services. I and my dear daugh- ter are greatly touched and comforted by the widespread sympathy which has been shown by my subjects throughout the empire at home and abroad. q trust the establishment of efficient British control a Kumasi will put stop to the barbarous customs which have hitherto prevailed and have the effect of preventing intertribal conflicts, and also tend to benefit the people and the inter- ests of peace and commerce.
 "On the northwestern frontier of India the measures which were taken in 1895 to secure effective control of Chitral have been successful.
 "Gentlemen of the House of Commons: I have directed the estimates for service for the year to be laid before you. They have been prepared with the utmost re- gard for economy, but the exigencies of the times require an increased expendi- ture.
 My lords and gentlemen the extension and improvement of the naval defenses of the empire are the most important subjects to which your efforts can be di- rected and will doubtless occupy your most earnest attention.
 q regret to say that the condition of agriculture Is disastrous beyond recent experience Measures will be laid before you with the object of mitigating the dis tress of the classes engaged in that n- dustry. Measures will also be submitted to.3you for the creation of voluntary schools, for the regulation of alien paul perlinmigration and for the construction of light railways for the rural districts You will also be asked to consider the employers limited liability bill, an Irish la nd bill and a measure for the forma- ton of an Irish board of agriculture. q commend these weighty matters to your experienced judgment and pray that your llabors may be blessed by the guid- a nce md favor of Almighty God"