The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-02-21

[ ..a-sis q
esty Immediately in the House OF
Lords. The speaker forthwith left the
chair and, escorted by Black Rod and
, preceded by the Mace, proceeded to the
House Lords, the members crowd
ing after them in hopes of getting in
to the upper chamber.
The only members of the House Of
, Commons not wearing mourning were
| three Nationalists
: Prior to the reading of the speech
the King took the oath.
The assemblage stood while the
speech was read.
The Kings speech was as follows:
The Kings Speech. -. -, ssl
MY Lords and Gentlemen:-I adj
dress you for the first time at a mo-
. ment of national sorrow, when the
whole country is mourning the irrepar-
able loss we have so recently sustain
ed, and which has fallen with peculiar
severity on myself My beloved moth
er. during her long and glorious reign,
has set an example before the world of
what a monarch should be. 1t is my
earnest desire to walk in her footsteps.
Amid this public and private grief
it is satisfactory to me to be able to
assure you that my relations with the
other powers continue friendly.
THE war in South Africa is not yet
entirely terminated but the capitals of
the enemy and his principal lines of
communication are in my possession
and measures have been taken which
will, 1 trust, enable my troops to deal
effectually with the forces by which
they are still opposed.
II greatly regret the loss of life and
expenditure of treasure due to the
fruitless guerrilla warfare maintained
by Boer partisans in the former terri
tories of the two republics. Their early
submission is much to be desired in
their interests, as until it takes place
it will be impossible for me to estab-
lish in those colonies the institutions
which will secure the equal rights of all
the white inhabitants and protection
and justice for the native population.
1.-THE capture of Peking by the allied
forces and the happy release of those
who were besieged in the legations, re-
suits to which my Indian troops and
my naval forces largely contributed,
have been followed by the submission
of the Chinese Government to the de-
mands insisted upon by the powers.
Negotiations are proceeding regarding
the manner in which compliance with
these demands is to be effected.
The establishment of the Australian
commonwealth was proclaimed at Sgd
ned January 1, with many manifesta-
tions of popular enthusiasm and rejoic-
ing. My ueeply beloved and lamented
mother had assented to the visit of the
Duke of Cornwall and York to open
the first Parliament of the new COM
monwealth in her name. A separation
from my son, especially at such a mo-
ment, cannot be otherwise than deeply
painful. but I still desire to give effect
to her late Majesty's wishes as evil
dence of her interest, as we'll as of my
own. in all that concerns the welfare
OF my subjects beyond the seas. l
have decided that the visit to Austria
liza shall not be abandoned and shall
be extended to New Zealand and the
Dominion of Canada.
THE prolongation of the hostilities
in South Africa has led me to make
further call on the patriotism and de-
votien of Canada and Australasia. re-
joice that my request. has met with
prompt and loyal response and large
additional contingents from these col
OnleSs VIII eIIlpdTh Luz luc seal VI va
at an early date.
'aThe expedition organized for the
suppression of the rebellion in Ashanti
was crowned with signal success. The
endurance and gallantry of my native
troops, ably commanded by Sir James
Willcoaks and lea by British officers,
have overcome both the stubborn re-
distance, of the most warlike tribes of
West Africa and the exceptional diff
culties of the climate and season of the
country in which the operations were
conducted. The garrison of Coomassie,
which was besieged by the enemy, has
been relieved after a prolonged and
gallant defense. The principal kings
have surrendered and the chief impede
ment to the progress of the develop
rnent of this rich portion of West Afri-
ca possessions has now, I hope, been
finally removed
1.-The suffering and mortality caused
by the prolonged drouth in a large por-
ton of my Indian empire have been
greatly alleviated by a seasonable rain
fall. but j regret to add that in parts
of the Bombay presidency distress of
a serious character still continues,
which my officers are using every en-
deavor to mitigate.
Gentlemen of the House of Com
mons, the estimates for the year will be
laid before you. Every care has been
taken to limit their amount but the
naval and military requirements of the
country and especially the outlay conse-
quent upon the South African war, has
involved an inevitable increase.
| The demise of the crown renders it
necessary that renewed provision shall
be made for the civil list place un-
reservedly at your disposal those he
reditary revenues which were so placed
by my predecessor and l have COM
manded that the papers necessary for
a full consideration of the subject shall
be laid before you
! My lords and gentlemen, proposals
will be submitted to your judgment for
increasing the efficiency of my military
forces.
Certain changes in the constitution
( of the court of final appeal are consid-
cred necessary in consequences of the
increased resort to it which has result
j ed from the expansion of the empire
during the last two generations.
Legislation will be proposed to YOU