The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-12
The British Parliament AID
jOurns This Afternoon.
Questions on the Subject of
China Are DOdged.
A GENERAL PROMISE
Is Made to Look Out For Com
merciaI Interests.
The Queen Felicitates the Mem
bers on Their Work.


mons met today at 1890 a. m. A sue
cession of questions on the subject of
China ELECTED little information. The
government leader, Mr. Balfour, de-
clined to pledge the government to
prevent the ratification of the Franco
Belgian Pe6in-Hankow concession, but
promised that in the event of British
capitalists purchasing railroad conces-
sions obtained by French or Belgian
syndicates in the Yang Tse-Kiang val
ley, her majesty's government will sup
port and assist them, both in London
and Pekin, in this and all other legiti-
mate British commercial enterprises.
The China appropriation bill then
passed its third reading and the session
was suspended until 2:3O D. NJ when
parliament will be prorogued.
The queens speech at the propagation
Of parliament is as follows:
MY Lords and Gentlemen:
MY relations with other nations con-
tinue friendly. I have witnessed with
the deepest sorrow the hostiIities which
have taken place between Spain and
the United States, two nations by which
my empire is bound by many ties Of af
lection and traditions Negotiations
recently opened give fair ground for
hoping that the depIorable conflict will
be brought to a termination by the con-
cIusion of an honorable and enduring
peace
THE changes which have taken place
in the territorial relations of other DOW
ers with the Chinese empire, induced
me to conclude arrangements whereby
the harbOr of Wei-Haf-Wei and certain
positions adjacent to my colony OF
Hong Kong. were leased to me by the
engagements will conduce to the main
tenance of his independence and the Sc
curity of his empire and be favorable
to the development of the extensive
commerce carried on between the DeO-
pies of Great Britain and China"
Paragraph 3, refers to the gJaran-
teefng in conjunction with Russia and
France, of the loan to enable Greece
to pay the Turkish war indemnity.
The fourth paragraph expresses sat-
isfaction at the conclusion of the con-
vention with France, finally settling
West African questions.
The speech then refers to the ar
rangements to establish at an early
date penny postage between the United
Kingdam, Canada, Newfoundland and
elsewhere. makes reference to the
plague still existing in certain portions
of western India and the Punjab, and
concludes:
Il am thankful that bountiful har-
vests have been gathered throughout
the greater part of India and that the
internal and external trade of the coun-
try are rapidly recovering from the de-
preston caused by the famine
Gentlemen of the house of COM
mons:
"I thank you for the liberal provis-
ion you have made for the defense of
my empire. The sacrifices asked of
you are severe, but no greater than
the exigencies of the present time re
quire. I am glad to recognize the val
ue of the provisions to which you have
assented for increasing the strength
and efficiency of my army
MY lords and gentlemen:
st have seen with much qualification
that you have this year added to the
statute book an important measure as
similating the local institutions of Ire
land to those of England and Scotland
I trust this valuable reform will tend
to strengthen the bond which unites the
people of Great Britain and Ireland
and increase their affection for the fun
damental institutions of the realm