Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-12
THE QUEENS SPEECH.
Parliament Duly Informed Of The
Status Of Things British
DIFFERENCES AS TO VENEZUELA.
Her Majesty Hopes nm Equitable
Arrangement VIII BE Made
Through Further Nesodatfons-
Hnrcourt Replies.


read at the opening Of Parliament to-day;
..My Lords and Gentlemen,-I continue
TO receive from other Powers assurances
of friendly sentiments.
"An agreement has been concluded De-
tween my government and France tne
principal object Of which is to secure the
establishment of the independence Oh
Siam.
.sThe commissioners for the delimitation
OF the frontier which separates my IN
dian empire from Afghanistan ana Rus
sia, nave agreed upon line when mas
been accepted by myself and the empire Oh
Russia.
The government of the United States
Of America have expressed wish to CO.
operate in the termination OF the diner-
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. | have express
cd my sympathy with the desire TO come
to an equitable arrangement and trust
that further negotiations will lead to
satisfactory result.
"The 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, i
have felt It to be my duty to press. l
deeply regret the fanatical outbreak on
the part of section Of the Turkish popu-
lation, which has resulted in series of
massacres, which have caused the deepest
Indignation I'm this country.
TRANSvAAL TROUBLE.
"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 3urgher
forces. My ministers, al the earliest pos
sible moment, intervened TO prevent this
hostile action, and to warn all my sub
iects in South Africa against taking part
in II. The origin apd circumstances of
these proceedings will be made the sub
ject Of a searching inquiry.
''The President OF the South African re-
public, acting in this matter with modera-
tion and wisdom, has agreed TO place
the pr.foner5 IN the hands Of my govern
ment, and have undertaken to bring to
tr.al the leaders Of the expedition. The
conduct OF the President OF the South
the assurances which he has voluntarily
given. lead me to believe that he re-
cognizes the Importance of redressing
the legitimate grievances OF which COM
plalnt has been made b. a majority of
the persons inhahiting the Transyaal.
''The condition of affairs IN Ashantee
and the violation by the King at Kumasi
Of the provisions Of the treaty of 1874
as regards the suppression of the prac-
tice OF offering human sacrifices. the free
dom of trade, and the maintenance OF
communication, have for some years en-
gagged the serious attention of my gov
ernment. All endeavo-s to induce the
King to observe his engagements proved
fruitless. and 1t became necessary to
send an armed expedition to Kumasi to
enforce the conditions of the treaty
DEATH OF BATTENBERG.
while | rejoice to announce that the
objects OF the expedition have been
achieved without bloodshed, l have TO
deplore the loss from the seventies OF
the climate of some valuable lives. in
Guiding that of my son-in-law, Prince
Henry OF Battenberg, who volunteered
his services. j and my beloved daughter
are greatly comforted by the widespread
sympathy which has been shown by my
subjects throughout the empire, at home
and abroad.
Il trust that the establishment of eff
Client British control at Kumasi will put a
stop to the barbarous customs which
have hitherto prevailed. and have the
effect OF preventing intertrlbal conhicts
and also terfi to benefit the people, and
the interests Of peace and civilization.
ION the northwestern frontier of India
the measures which were taken in 1896
to secure effective control of Chitral have
been successful.
"Gentlement of the House OF Commons:
l have directed the estimates for the year
to be laid before you. They have been
prepared with the utmost regard to eco
nomy, but the exigences OF the times
require an increased expenditure.
my Lords and Gentlemen: The exten-
sion and Improvement Of the naval
defences OF the empire is the most i'm
portant subject TO which your efforts can
be directed, and win doubtless occupy
your most earnest attention
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.
''I regret that the condition Of agri-
culture is disastrous beyond recent ex-
perience. Measures win be laid before
YOU with the object OF mitigating the
distress OF the class engaged in that in
dustry Measures will also be submitted
10 YOU for the creation OF voluntary
schools for the regulation Of alien pau
per immigration, and for the construction
OF light railways for the rural dis
tricts. You will be also asked to con-
sIder the employees limited liability bill
an Irish land bill, and a measure for the
formation OF an Irish board Of agricu-
ture.
II commend these weighty matters TO
your experienced judgment and pray
that your labors may be blessed by the
guidance and favor OF Almighty God"
The House of Commons. after listening
10 the Queens speech in the House Of
Lords resumed its sitting at o'clock.
the usual hour OF assembling. except on
wednesday, when the House meets at
noon.
The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain,
Secretary Of State for the Colonies. en-
tered the House shortly after 10 had been
called to order. and was vociferousiy
cheered.
The Right Hon. George j. Goschen,
First Lord OF the Admiralty. announced
that on February 18th the govern
ment would introduce bill providing for
the construction OF works for naval pur-
poses The announcement was received
with cheers from all sections OF the
House.
Mr. George ]. Goschen, Jr.. SON of
Right Hon. George y. toscnebs iuofeu
the address I'm reply to the speech from
the Throne, and the motion was second
ed by Sir Herbert f. Maxwell.
REPLY TO QUEENS SPEECH.
Sir william Harcourt. Chancellor OF
the Exchequer in the late Ministry, and
leader OF the Opposition in the House.
said that he had never IN all his ex-
persence met such critical circum-
stances as those with which they We're
now confronted. Ii was in the highest
degree desirable he said, that the mis-