The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-21
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
IT WAS FORMALLY OPENED ho'
TERDAY WITH THE Gus
TOMARY CEREMONY.
SUBSTANCE OF THE QUEENS SPEECH
Brief References to the Venezuelan ana
General, Arbitration TreatieS-lh'
~ -, ~
a.. Turkish 'Massacres Alluded To.
The Subjugation of DonGola

The Subjugation of Dongoia'
- -
London, Jan. 19.-(Copyrighted. 1871
by the Associated Press 1.-The third SOS
sion of the Fourteenth parliament was
formally opened by royal commission nj
. o'clock this afternoon. The opening
was observed with all due customary
ceremony.
Between II and IL O'Clock the hous"
itself, the Hobbies and the corridors were
filled with groups of members and their
constituents and the scene presented was
one of the greatest animation. Most OF
the Irish members take places on the
cross benches. John Dillon took his
usual seat on the third bench below the
gangway. Shortly before 2 o'clock the
speaker came in and was cordially greet
ed by crowds of friends. Prayers were
then read before the now crowded house,
and at their termination Mr. Gully took
the chair and many members filed past
the table to shake hands with him.
At = o'clock there was a mighty clang-
ing of electric bells and simultaneously
a batch of policemen appeared and
formed the crowd in the lobbes so that
a passageway twenty feet wide was left
clear between the two houses. Then all
eyes shifted towards the doors of the
house, where the black rod was coming
4 n tho tn the reading
of the queens speech. First came stall
wart inspector of police, who. as he APP
preached the entrance of the lobby, com
minded hats OFF, in n percmptory voice.
The inspector was followed by a door
keeper in evening dress, who bore the
rod of black ebony tipped with gold.
Closely following the latter was Gen. Sir
Michael Biddulph, who last year was APP
pointed guardian of the wand. lie was
arrayed in full generals uniform. He
knocked thrice at the door of the COM
mons, and when it was opened the speak
or rose to receive him. Then commenced
the return procession to the house of
lords.
There was the usual scene in the house
of lords, the benches on either side being
filled up with ladies, among whom the
peers appeared almost lost. On Il bench
behind the wool sack and in front of the
steps Of the throne within the brass rail
the lord commissioners were sitting in
their robes of scarlet, gold and ermine.
1t is the custom to select the youngest
peers at each session to move and second
the address in the house of lords. This
making their maiden speech. Today the
Marquis of Bath and Lord Kenyon were
selected for the honor. AS Lord Wey-
mouth. the Marquis of Bath, has before
served in parliament, having represented
the Fordham division in the house of
commons in two previous sessions. The
queens speech, which was then read to
the houses, was, in substance as follows:
MY Lords and Gentlemen-My rela
tons with foreign powers continue to be
of friendly character.
THE appalling massacres which have
taken place in Constantinople and other
parts of the Ottoman dominions have
called for the attention of the powers
signatory to the treaty of Paris. Papers
before MS show great considerations
which induced the powers to make the
present condition of the Ottoman empire
the subject of special consultation with
their representatives at COnStantinoplc.
The conferences which the six ambassa-
doris have been instructed to hold are
still proceeding.
The action undertaken by his high
ness, the khedivc of Egypt, against the
khalifa. with my approval and assistance
has so far been entirely successful. His
forces, supported by my officers and
troops, have rcwan the province of DON
Quoted with remarkable skill, and IL way
has been opened for a further advance
when such step is judged desirable.
My government has discussed with the
United States, acting as friend of Ven
the terms whcreunder pending
questions of the disputed frontier be-
tween that republic and my colony of
British Guiana may be equitably sub
mittcd TO arbitration and an arrange
mcnt has been arrived at with the gov
eminent which | trust will effect an adj
justmcnt of the controversy without cx-
posing to risks the interests of any the
colonists whose established rights are in
the disputed territory.
1T is with much qualification that
have concluded a treaty for general ar
bitration with the United States, where
by trust all differences which may arise
between us may be peacefully adjusted.
| hope this arrangement may have Il
further value in commencing to other
powers the consideration of a principle
the danger of war may be nota-
bly, abated."
The queens speech then refers to the
of the rebellion in South Atrl-
ca and the appointment of commission
to inquire into the sugar industry OF the
West Indies, and continues:
at is with much regret and feelings of
the deepest sympathy that | have heard
that owing to the failure of the autumn
rains scarcity and famine affects large
proportion of my dominions in India.
My government in that country is making
every effort to mitigate the sufferings and
lessen the calamity by the development
of railways and irrigation works and the
given through Il long series of
wears to preparation of the most effective
arrangements for alternating distress
caused by famine. makes their task more
hopeful than in previous visitations. My
pcople throughout the dominion at home
and in India have been invited TO place
theft liberality at the disposal of my gov
eminent. Papers showing the extent of
the famine and measures TO relieve the
sufferings are laid before you. The plague
has also made its appearance in the sea-
port towns of Bombay and Kurachi and
the precautions adopted
by the local authorities it shows no signs
of decrease. | have directed my govern
ment to take the most stringent measures
at their command to alleviate the suffer
ing"
Gentlemen of the house of commons"
the speech continues. "the estimates of
the year will he laid before you. While
| am DESTROYS of guarding against undue
| have settled that the
present condition of the world will not
permit you to depart from the prudent
use of foresight which YOU have hereto
fore adopted for the defense of NV en-.