New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-09
SPEECH PROM THE THRONE.

~opr,cx pp, ATOMS THE WEST INDIES. AFRICAN
AND INDIAN AFFAIRS ARE THE CHIEF SUB
JEc-rs-HoME RULE FOR IRELAND
london Feb S-The fourth session OF the
fourteenth Parliament Of Queen Victoria ana
the tw.nty-sixth Of the United Kingdom was
onened Inv commission, at 2 o'clock this after
noon. with the customary ceremonies Inc
Queens speech was as follows
NV Lords and Gentlemen: My relations with
the other Powers continue friendly. Inc neSo
tiations between the Sultan or Iurke! anu we
King of Greece have been brought 10 CON
cIuson by the signature of treaty OF peaJe,
under which the territorial relations between ~
two Powers are practically unchangeo' ,he
question OF the autonomous government vi 'IS
island OF Crete has occupied the atiehtoh VI
the Powers. The difficulty of arriving AT
unanimous agreement on some points mas u,..
duly protracted the deliberations, but nope
these obstacles will before long be surmounten,
Intelligence which is apparently uustwVl'.s
was received of the intention OF the hndIIi ~ ~
advance against the Egyptian Army III tle .ou gu.
dan and have therefore given directions 'iia'
a contingent of British troops should ne uis-
patched to Berber TO the assistance OF MS
ness the Khedive. | have concluded treaty OF
friendship and commerce with HIS Majesty the
Emperor OF Abyssinia.
The report OF the commission 1 appo,n;eu az
December 1896 to inquire into the Condltoh OF
certain of my West Indian colonies mas cohC.u-
svely established the existence or severe ue-
preston in those colonies. caused ny tne heaNs
tributable to the reduction in the cost OF pro-
duction and the great increase in It's extent OF
recent years But the fall has been ar'ilciaIly
stimulated by the system of bountles 10 pro-
ducers and manufacturers OF beetroot sugar
maintained in many European states. Ihere are
signs of growing opinion In those oiates .iIae
this system is Injurious TO the general interests
OF their population. and communications are
now in progress between my Government ana
the Government principally concerned. WIN
view 10 a conference on the subject, when,
trust NAV result in the abolition OF the boun-
ties In the mean time measures Will be pro
posed to you for the relief OF the immeoiate
necessities OF the West Indian colonies. for en-
couraging other Industries and FOR assisting
those engaged in sugar cultivation to tide over
the present crisis.
On the northwestern borders of my Indian
Empire an organized outbreak Of fanaticism,
which spread in the summer along the frontier
induced many OF the tribes TO break their en-
gagements with my Government TO attack the
military posts in their vicinity and even TO IN
wade the settled district of my territory was
compelled to send expeditions against the OF
Tending tribes for the punishment OF the out
RACES and to insure peace in the future. por-
ton Of the Afridi tribes have not yet accepted
the terms offered them. but elsewhere the opera,
tions have been brought TO a very successful
close. The courage and endurance eXhlbited by
my troops. British and native. have overcome
almost insuperable difficulties in the country In
which they operating but | have to de
plore the loss of many valuable lives, both
among my own troops and those whose ser
vices were voluntarily and loyalty placed at my
Empire.
The rest Of the speech deals with the recrudes-
cence OF the plague. and says: Although the
mortality is less alarming than In 1897 II Is still
such as TO cause anxiety. and no effort will be
spared 10 mitigate IT." Her Majesty then re-
toices at the fact that the famine is ended, ex-
cept in a small tract Of Madras, and says there
IL reason to anticipate prosperous year. both
for agriculture and commerce, throughout india
The speech continues:
Gentlemen Of the House OF Commons: The
estimates which Will be laid before you have
been framed with the utmost desire for economy;
but in view OF the enormous ornaments now
maintained by other nations the duty OF pro-
viding for the defence OF the Empire involves
an expenditure beyond former precedent.
Dealing with the proposed legislation. the
speech from the throne says measures will be
introduced for the organization of a system OF
local government in Ireland substantially SINH
lar to Great Britain's. to secure the increased
strength and efficiency OF the army, TO amend the
present conditions Of military service. to enable
accused people TO testify in their own defence,
TO facilitate the creation Of municipalities In
London and to prevent recognized abuses In
connection with Church patronage.
There are nine other measures OF minor I'M
portance. The Queens speech concludes: Il
heartily commend your momentous delibera-
tions to the care and guidance Of Almighty
God"