Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-12
THE SPEECH BY w., IN.
The Venezuelan B, / Question
Touched LpOn,
And Less Attention Giyen the Ar
menian Situation-Both Parties
in Parliament Inclined to be Rea-
sOnable with Regard to Venez-
uela.

London, February 1.-THE queens
speech, which was read previous to the
opening of Parliament, and in the Gus
tomary manner, was as follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen:-I con-
tinue to receive from other powers as
surances of their friendly sentiments.
"The government of the United
States have expressed a wish to CO.
operate in terminating the differences
which have existed for many years
between my government and the repub-
lie of Venezuela upon the boundary of
that country and my colony of British
Guiana. I have expressed sympathy
with the desire to come to an equitable
arrangement, and trust that further
negotiations will lead to a satisfac-
tory settlement.
The Sultan of Turkey has sane
| toned the principal reforms in the gov
/ ernment of the Armenian provinces, of
which, in conjunction with the Empe-
rOr of Russia and the President of the
/ French republic, l feel it my duty to
| press. l deeply regret that a fanatical
outbreak upon the part of q section of
/ the Turkish population has resulted
| in a series of massacres in those prov
inces which have caused the deepest
indignation in this country. Papers on
these transacuonTa Tawill be laid before
you.
"A sudden incursiOn in the South
| African republic by an armed force
| from territories under the control of
/ the British South Africa Company re-
suited in a deplorable collision with
/ the Burgher forces. Ny ministers, at
I the earliest possible moment, inter-
vened to prohibit, through the high
commissioner, this hostile action and
/ to warn all my subjects throughout
South Africa against taking part in
aid it. The origin and circumstances
of these proceedings will form the sub
/ jcct of a searching inquiry.
"Tba President of the South African
republic. acting in this matter with
moderation and wisdom, agreed TO
place the prisoners in the hands Of my
high commissioner and I have under
| taken to bring to trial the leaders of
the expedition. The conduct of the
| President upon this occasion, and the
I assurances which he has voluntarily
given, lead me to believe that he rec
ognizes the importance of redressing
the legitimate grievances of which
complaint has been made by majority
| -. = b.'
! Transvaal.
'The extension and Improvement Of
the naval defenses of the empire is the
most important subject to which your
efforts can be directed and will doubt
less occupy your most earnest atten-
/ tiOn.
In moving the address, Mr.. Goschen
said that he trusted the negotiations
regarding the Venezuelan question
would result not only in a satisfactory
/ settlement. but in a complete recOncil-
iation and firm friendship between
/ Great Britain and her kindred across
the Atlantic.
Continuing. Mr.. COschen made a
glowing reference to the Outburst Of
patriotic feeling in Canada and in the
British colonies during the recent po-
| litical crisis.
Sir William Vernon HarcOurt said
| he was reioiced at the paragraph in the
Queens speech with regard to Venez-
uela. as it held out he hope that the
question could be settled at an early
date. He added that no words that
could impede such a settlement would
fall from him.
This remark was greeted with loud
| cheers. as it dispOses of the report that
the Liberal leaders had determined to
make an attack upon the government s
policy in regard to Venezuela, which
, course. necessarily, would have led to
an exchange of warm remarks which
might have impeded the progress or
/ settlement of the dispute.
Referring 10 the Transvaal. Sir Will
/ lam Vernon Harcourt paid high COM
pliment TO Mr.. Chamberlain for his
skilled conduct of the affair and said
that he thought history had but few
examples of such moderation as had
been displayed by President Kruger
under circumstances of unparalleled
provocation.
Turning to Armenia, Sir William
+ Harc0urt said that to say tht the ref
+ erence to this subject in the Queens
speech is disappointing and tO,ally un-
worthy of the subject will represent the
/ feeling Of the country. Continuing,
/ he remarked:
These crimes are matters for our
/ special concern. as we are parties 10
/ the guarantee of the powers. The
whole point of the treaty of Berlin IS
| that there is a covenant upon the part
/ of the Sultan to carry out reforms and
a guarantee upon the part Of the pow
ers Of Europe to see that these reforms
were effected
Hon. A. J. BaltOur, Firs Lord of the
/ Treasury and. Conservative leader in
the House. VS. loudly cheered when he
arose to reply to the Liberal 1eaCer
/ He said:
"The American commissioners ION
the Venezuelan boundary have ap-
piled to us 10 aid them with any infOr
nation we have on the Venezuelan
question. and we have promised to give
them I'll the information We are able
10 give ~ the earliest possible mo-
ment. CCheers) No false pride or
diplomatic punCtiliO wiz be allowed 70
stand in the way Of settlement as far
as We arc concerned.
"But there are duties requiring Dip
lomatic enforcement. We owe a duty
to our children. our colonies. and those
occuDying them. and this country
would not deserve 10 retain the conf
dence Of the colonies unless we con-
WINGED them that we were ready and
willing to defend them. and in a case