Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-20
AN UNUSUALLY LARGE ATTEND
ANCE OF PEERS.
SPEECH FROM The THRONE.
Her Majesty, the Queen, on the Ar
bitratiOn Treaty-LOrd Salisbury
ject-Turkcy-Egyp


lows:
MY Lords and Gentlemen. My Iela-
tions with all other Powers continue 10
be of a friendly character. The appal
ling massacres which have staken place
in Constantinople and other parts Of the
Ottoman dominion have called for the
special attention of the Powers slepatory
to the treaty of Paris. Papers will be
laid before you, showing the consliera-
tions which induced the Powers to make
the present condition of the Ottoman
empire the subject of a special oonsulta-
tion by the representatives, Of :he Powers
at Constantinople. The conferences Of
the six ambassadors to the Porte are
still proceeding.
"rhe action undertaken by the Khe-
dive of Egypt against the Khaliia, with
my approval and assistance. Eas been
entirely successful His forces, support
ed by my officers and troops. have won
back the fertile provinces Of Dongoia
to civilization by operati )ns which were
conducted with remarkable skill. and the
way has been opened for a further ad-
vance wherever such step is judged
to be desirable.
MY government has discussed with
the United States. as the friend of ene-
Zuela, the terms under whicn Tie pend
ing questions of dispute 9s 10 the frontier
between that republic and British cri6Ea
may be equitably submitted TO arbitra-
tion. An arrangement mas been arrived
at with that government, which will, l
trust. effect an adjustment Of existing
controversies without exposing 10 risk
the interests of any Colonists who iave
established rights in the disputed terri
tory.
1T is with much qualification that
have concluded treaty for general ar
bitration with the President of TIE United
States, by which, | trust. all differences
that may arise between us will be peace
fully adjusted. | hope that this arrange
ment may have further value in COM
mending to other Powers the considera-
tion of a principle by which the danger
OF war may be notably abated."
"The rebellion in Matabeleland and
MashOnaland has been repressed by the
steadfastness and courage of the set
tiers. reinforced by my troops and volun-
teers. both Of the English and Dutch
races. / deplore the loss of valuable
lives which these operations have en-
tailed.
"The depressed condition of the sugar
Industry in the West Indian Colonies has
seriously affected their prosperity. l
have appointed a commission to investi-
gate the causes, and if possible, to sug-
gest means of amelioration.
EAST INDIAN FAMINE.
ut is with much regret, and with feel
ngs of the deepest sympathy, that 1
have learned that, owing to the failure
of the autumn rains, and consequent
scarcity OF harvest, famine affects Il
large portion of India. Ny government
in that country is making every effort to
mitigate the suffering and lessen the
calamity by the development of railways
and irrigationwo The forethought
given through long series of years to
the preparation of the most effective ar
rangements for alleviating distress
caused by famine makes their task more
hopeful than in the case of previous visi-
tations. My people throughout my do
minions, at home and in India, have been
invited to second with their liberality
the exertions of the government. Papers
showing the extent of the famine and
the measures taken to relieve the suf-
fering will be laid before you.
"A plague has also made its appear
ance I'm Bombay and Kurrachee, and.
| Notwithstanding the precautions adopted
by the local authorities, ii shows no
signs Of decrease. i have directed my
government TO take the most stringent
measures for the eradication OF the pesti-
| lence.
Gentlemen of the House OF Commons:
"The estimates of the year will be laid
before you. While desirous of guarding
| against undue expenditures, l have felt
| that the present condition of the world
will not permit you to depart from the
| spirit of prudent foresight in which you
have during recent years provided for
| the defence of the empire.
"My Lords and Gentlemen,-A measure
for the promotion of primary education,
by securing the maintenance Of volun-
tarv schools. will be laid before you;
and. If time permits, you will be invited
10 consider further proposals for educa-
sonal legislation.
"It is desirable to make better pro-
vision for the compensation of working
people who suffer from accidents, and
| a bill with that object in view will be
submitted TO YOU
| your consent will be asked to pro-
visions which, in the judgment Of the
| military authorities, are required for the
efficiency of the military defences of the
empire.
"A bill Win also be submitted to you
| to improve the arrangements for the
water supply of the metropolis.
| sIn order to promote the interests OF
agriculture. which are of paramount i'm
portance in Ireland, you will be asked TO
| consider a bill to establish a board OF
| agriculture and further legislative pro-
| nosals will be brought before you, if the
| lime at your disposal is sufficient for the
| purpose.
"Blus admitting the evidence of sale
! and the registration of land and for
revising the acts in respect of the forma-
ion of limited companies an amendment
10 the agricultural holdings act In Greai
! Britain. the exclusion OF goods manu-
| factured i'm prisons in other countries, the
establishment Of reformatories for in
ehriates. ard for amending the existing
| procedure i'm respect of private bills
coming from Scotland and Ireland, have
| been prepared.
"I heartily commend your important
| de,,harations TO the guidance of Almighty
God"
LARGE ATTENDANCE.
rhare was IN unusually large ATTENDANCE
~ peers at the opening of the House o.
lords. which met at o'clock In the alter
noon The lately-appointed Archbishop
nf canterbury. the Most Rev. Frederici
,ran,nle and the recently-created BishoI
| ~ Iondon. the Right Rev. Mandei
| Crelghton. took the prescribed oath al
| members of the upper chamber. INT
prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cam
bridge occupied cross-bench. and th'
galleries were filled with the wives anc
dauehters Of Peers. United States Am
hassador Bayard and Mrs. Bayard occu
,isd seats I'm the diplomatic gallery.
After the Lord Chancellor. Lord HAS
h,rv had read the speech from th'
rh,one the customary address in repl,
20 the speech was moved by the Marquis
~ path. who was attired In the uniform
~ an officer OF the Yeomen OF the Guard
| ,n. .,ntion was seconded by Lord Ken