The record-union., 1896-02-12
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
Again COnVeneS After a Recess Of One
Hundred and Sixty Days.
Expected to be One of the Most I'm.
portant Sessions in Years.

The Queens Speech Read Before a
Joint Assembly of the Lords and
Members of the Commons-Hopes
That Further Negotiations VIII Re-
suit In satisfactory Settlement of
the Venezuelan Dispute-Othe SUBJ
jects Dwelt.Upon.
LONDON, Feb. 11.-Parliament as
sembled to-day after a recess of 160
days, 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 ap-
pearance on foot or in vehicles were
heartily cheered. Especially demonstra-
tive We're 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 Ex-
plorer Stanley
Both houses filled up unusually early,
and with few exceptions every member
of the Commons was in his place when
the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod,
Admiral Sir Edmund Commerrill, 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: I continue
to receive from other Powers assur-
ances of friendly sentiments. An agree
ment has been concluded between my
Government and France, the principal
object of which is to secure the estab-
Hshment of the independence of Siam.
The commissioners of the delimination
of the efrontier which separates my Indian
Empire and Afghanistan from Russia
have agreed upon a line which has been
accepted by myself and the Emperor OF
Russia.
The Government of the United
States of America has expressed a wish
to' cooperate in the termination of the
differences which have existed for many
years between my Government and the
Republic of Venezuela, upon the ques-
tion of the boundary between that
country and the colony of British Gui-
ana. l have expressed 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 Armenian provinces, for which,
jointly with the Emperor of Russia and
the President of the French Republic, /
have felt it to be my dutyNto press. I
deeply regret the fanatical outbreak on
the part Of a section of the Turkish pop
ulation, which has resulted in a series
of massacres which have caused the
deepest Indignation in this country.
"a suddei incursion into the South
African Republic by an armed force
from the territory under the control of
the British South Africa Company re-
suited in a deplorable collision with the
Burgher forces. My Ministers at the
earliest possible moment interviewed to
prohibit, through the Government, this
hostile action, and to warn all my sub
jects in South Africa against taking
part in it. The origin and circum
stances of these proceedings will be
made the subject of a searching investi-
CATION The President of the South At
rica Republic, acting in this matter
with moderation and wisdom, has
agreed to place the prisoners in the
hands of my Government, and I have
undertaken to bring to trial the leaders
of the expedition.
fCFT71- - =
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
redressing the legitimate grievances of
which complaint has been made by a
majority of the persons inhabiting the
Transvaal.
1.-The condition of affairs in Ashantee
and the violation by the King at Ku-
mast of the provisions of the treaty of
1874, as regarded the suppression of the
practice of Offering human sacrifices,
the freedom of trade and the mainten-
ance of communication. have for some
years. engaged the serious attention of
my Government. All endeavors to in
duce the King to observe his engage
ments proved fruitless and it became
necessary to send an armed expedition
to Kumasi to enforce the conditions of
the treaty.
while ] rejoice to announce that the
objects of the expedition have been
achieved without bloodshed, 1 have to
deplore the loss from the seventies of
the climate of my beloved son-in-law,
Prince Henry of Battenberg, who vol
unteered his services. and my dear
daughter are greatly touched and com
forted by the widespread sympathy
which has been shown by my subjects
throughout the empire, at home and
abroad.
Gentlemen of the House of Com
mons. / 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 ex-
tension and Improvement of the naval
defenses of the empire is the most i'm
portant subject to which your efforts
can be directed, and will doubtless oc-
cupy your most earnest attention
Il regret to say that the condition of
agriculture is disastrous beyond recent
experiences Measures will be laid be-
fore you with the object of mitigating
the distress of the classes engaged in
that industry. Measures will also be
submitted TO you for the creation of
voluntary schools, for the regulation of
alien pauper immigration and for the
construction Of light railways in the ru-
raj districts. You will also be asked to
consider the employers limited liability
bill, an Irish land bill and a measure for
the formation Of an Irish Board of Ag-
ric1lltIre