The evening times., 1897-01-19
IN SESSION
The Queens Speech and Her Ref
erences to Turkey.
THE ARBITRATION TREATY
Her Majesty Trusts That All Diff
ferences That May Arise Between
England and the United States
viii Be Peacefully Adjusted-Her
Regret for India's Condition.

bled today, and the members of the House
OF Commons. as usual, proceeded to tht
House OF Lords Co hear the reading Of the
| Queens speech, which was read by the
| lord chancellor. as follows:
MY Lords and Gentlemen: Ny relations
with all of the other powers continue to be
OF a friendly character. The appalling
masSacres which have taken place in Con-
stantinopIe and other parts of the Ottoman
dominions have called for the special at
tention OF the powers signatory to the
treaty of Paris. Papers will be laid before
you showing the considerations which in
duced the powers to make the present con-
dition Of the Ottoman empire the subject OF
special consultation by the representatives
of the powers at Constantinople. The con-
ferenceS OF the SIX ambassadors to the porte
are still proceeding.
The action undertaken by the khedive
of Egypt against the Khalifa, with my ap-
proval and assistance, has been entirely
successful. His forces, supported by my
officers ana troops, have won back the
fertile provinces OF Dongola TO ciyiliZa-
ton, by operations which were conducted
with remarkable skill, and the way has
been opened for a further advance, when
ever such step is judged to be desirable.
MY government has discussed with
the United States as a friend OF Venezuela
the terms under which the pending ques-
tons OF a dispute in the frontier between
that republiceand British Guiana may be
equitably submitted TO arbitration. An
arrangement has been arris ed at with that
government wiich will, | trust, effect an
adjustment OF the existing Controversies
without exposing to risk the Interests of
any colonists who have established rights
in the disputed territory.
"Iti with much qualification that have
concluded a treaty for general rbitration
with the President OF the United States
10y which / trust that all differences that
may arise between us will be peacefully
adjusted. l hope that this arrangement
may have further value in commencing to
other powers the consideration of the
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 settlers,
REINFORCED by my troops and volunteers,
both OF the English and Dutch races. l
deplore the loss OF valuable lives which
these operations have entaiied.
''The depressed condition OF the sugar
industry in the West Indian colonies has
seriously affected their property. / have
appointed commission to investigate the
cuases and, if possible, to suggest means
of amelioration.
1T is with much regret and with feelings
OF the deepest sympathy that 1 have heard
that owing tothe failure of the autumn rains
scarcity and famine affect a large por-
tion in India. My government in that coun-
try is making every effort to mitigate the
suffering and lessen the calamity by the
development OF railways and irrigation
works. The forethOugnt given through
long series of years to the prepara ton VI
the most effective arrangements for alIe-
waiting distress caused by famine and make
their task more hopeful than in the case
OF previous yisitations My people through
out my dominlons az home and in India have
been invited to second with their liberaIity
the eXertions OF the government. Papers
showing the extent OF the famine and the
measures taken to relieve the suffering will
be laid before you.
"A plague las also made its appearance
in Bombay and Karachee, and, notwith-
standing the precautions adopted by the
local authorities, il shows no signs OF de-
crease. / have directed my government to
take the utmost stringent measures for the
eradication Of the pestlence
MY Lords and Gentlemen: measure
for the promotion OF primary education by
securing the maintenance of voluntary
schools viii be aid before you, and, if time
permits, you will be invited to consider
further proposals for educational legisIa-
tion.
1t is desirable to make better provision
for the compensation of working people
who suffer from accidents, and bill with
that Oh ject in vie " viii be submitted to you.
Your consent viii be asked to provisions
which, in the Judgment OF the military au-
thorities, are required for the efficiency OF
the military defenses of the empire.
I'm order to promote the interests of agri-
culture, which are OF paramount Importance
in Ireland, you will be asked to con-
slider bill 10 establish a board of agri-
culture, and further legislative proposals
will be brought before you if the time at
YOUR disposal is sufficient for the purpose.
BILLS admitting the evidence of accused
persons; amending the law in respect of
bills OF sale and the registration of land;
for revising the acts in respect of the for
nation Of limited companies; an amend
ment TO the agricultural holdings act in
Great Britain; the exclusion of goods man.
ufactured in prisons in other countries ;the
establishment of reformatories for inc
briates, and for amending the existing