The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-13
cHINA'S RAILWAY CONCESSION
LITTLE INFORMATION TO BE HAD
IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

AIR. BaIfOur Declines 10 Pledge the
covernment to Prevent the Ratifi-
cation-Chinese Appropriation Bill
PASSES Its Third Reading-Queen
VfetOrin's Speech to Parliament.
15xpresses Regret for the HOSTILE
ties between Spain and the United
states Parliament PrOrOgued
Until Oct. 20.
London. Aug 12.-The House of Com
mons met to-day at 1890 a. m. A sue
,sssion of questions on the subject of
china elected little information. The
Government leader, Mr.. Balfour, declined
n pledge the government to prevent the
ratification of the Franco-Belgian, Pc
l,ing-Hankow concession, but promised
mat in the event of British capitalists
purchasing railroad concessions obtaired
bv French and Belgian syndicates in the
yang-Tse- Kiang valley, her majesty's
government will support and assist them,
both in London and Picking, in this and
"a all other legitimate British commercial
Enterprises.
The China appropriation bill then passed
its third reading and the session was sus-
pended until 2:30 p. m.
When the House of Commons reassem-
HE'D. the members, according to custom
proceeded to the House of Lords, where
the queens speech was read. They then
returned to the House of Commons. where
the speech was again read.
Parliament was then formally prorogued
until Oct 29 The Queens speech at the
Propagation of Parliament is, in part, as
follows:
MY Lords and Gentlemen: My rcla-
tons with other nations continue friendly
Il have witnessed with the deepest sor-
row the hostilities which have taken place
between Spain and the United States, two
nations TO which my empire is bound by
many ties of affection, and traditions. Ne
gouations recently opened give fair
ground for hoping that the deplorable con
liict viii be brought to termination by
the conclusion of an honorable and endur-
ing peace.
"The changes which have taken place IN
the territorial relations of other powers
with the Chinese empire, induces me to
conclude arrangements whereby the har-
Dor of Wei-Hai-Wei and certain positions
adjacent to my colony of Hong Kong were
leased 10 me by the Emperor of China.
81 trust these arrangements viii conduce
to the maintenance of his independence,
and the security of his empire and be IA
vorable to the development of the extern
slve commerce carried on between the peo-
pies of Great Britain and China"
Gentlemen of the House of Commons
thank you for the liberal provision 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 require. l am glad to recog-
uize the value of the provisions to which
you have assented for increasing the
strength and efficiency of my authorities.
My Lords and Gentlemen; have seen
with much qualification that you have
this year added to the statute book an
important statue assimnating the local re-
lauons of Ireland to those of England and
Scotland. L trust this valuable reform
viii tend to strengthen the bonds which
unite the people of Great Britain and Ire
land and increase their common affection
Tor the fundamental institution Of the
realm"