The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-12
COWARDLY JOHN BULL.
England Afraid to Check
Continental Schemes in
China Queens Speech.
TBy Gable to The Associated Pres.

l0y 1dDle 10 A1ll6 ASSOCidSeQ tTGSS.
LONDON, Aug. p. 1S9S.-The House Of
Commons met today at 1890 A. M, A
host of questions on the subject of China
elected little information, except that the
Government leader, Mr.. A. ]. Balfour
First Lord of the Treasury, declined to
pledge the Government to prevent the
ratification of the Franco-Belgian Pekin-
Tiankow concession. But Mr.. Balfour
promised that In the event of British
capitalists purchasing railroad concessions
obtained by French or Belgian syndi-
Gates in the Yang -tse-Kiang valley Her
Majesty's Government will supportand as
sist them, both in London and at Pekin,
in this and In all other legitimate British
commercial enterprises.
The China appropriation bill then
passed its third reading and the session
was suspended until 2:30 p. M, when
Parliament will be prorogued.
The Queens speech at the prorogation
of Parliament is as follows:-
MY Lords and Gentlemen-My reIa-
tions with other nations continue friend
ly I have witnessed with the deepest
sorrow 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. Negotiations recently opened
give fair ground for hoping that the de-
plorable conflict will be brought to ter
mination by the conclusion of an honor
able and enduring peace.
.sThe changes which have taken place
in the territorial relations of other Pow
ers with the Chinese Empire induced me
to conclude agreements whereby the hsr-
Dor of Wei-Hai-Wei ana certain posi-
tions adjacent to my colony of Hong
Kong were leased to me by the Emperor
of China. 1 trust these arrangements will
conduce to the maintenance of his inde
pendence and the security of his Empire,
and be favorable to the development Of
the extensive commerce carried on be-
tween the people Of Great Britain and
China"
Paragraph three refers to the guar
anteeng. in conjunction with Russia and
France, of the loan to enable Greece to
pay the Turkish war indemnity.
The fourth paragraph expresses salts
faction at the conclusion of the conven-
ition with France, finally settling West
African questions.
The Speech then refers to the arrange
ments made to establish at an early date
penny postage between the United King
DOM Canada Newfoundland and else
where, makes reference to the plague
still existing in certain portions of West
ern India and the Punjab and concludes:
Il am thankful that bountiful haryestS
have been gathered throughout the
greater part of India and that the internal
and external trade of tine country are
rapidly recovering from the depression
caused by the famine.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons
Il thank you for the liberal provision
you have made for the defence of my Em-
pire. The sacrifices asked of you are
severe but no greater than the exigeneies
of the present time require. / am glad
to recognize the value of the provisions to
which you have assented for increasing
the strength and efficiency of my Army.
My Lords and Gentlemen-I have seen
with much qualifications that you have
this year added to the Statute Book an
important measure assimilating the local
institutions of Ireland to those of Eng
land and Scotland. trust this valuable
reform will tend to strengthen the bonds
which unite the people of Great Britain
and Ireland and increase their common
affection for the fundamental institutions
of the realm.
After expressing satisfaction at the
adoption Of bills enabling accuseds to
testify in their own behalf, for prevent-
ing the abuse of patronage and the .oc-
eupation of benefces of the Established
Church. 1.-The principles of which bills
have been generally accepted for many
years, though, hitherto there has been
no opportunity to make them law" the
speech ends with
Il pray that the blessing of Almighty
God may attend YOU.