Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-15
king EDWARD vi. OPENS
HIS FIRST PARLIAMENT.
Continued From First Page.

House of Commons in the House or
Lords the king read his speech, which
follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen:-I adj
dress YOU for the first time at mo-
ment of national sorrow, when the
Whole country is mourning the ire
parable loss we have SO recently sus-
tanned, and which has fallen with pc
culiar severity on myself My beloved
mother during her long and glorious
reign has set an example before the
world Of what 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, / think, enable my troops to deal
effectually with the forces by which
they are still opposed.
Il Greatly Regret the Loss
of life and expenditure of treasure due
TO the fruitless guerilla warfare main
tanned by Boer partisans in the for
mer territories of the two republics.
Their early submission is much to be
desired in their own interests. and until
it takes place it will be impossible for
me to establish in those colonies the
institutions which will secure the equal
rights of all the white inhabitants
and protection and justice for the ma
tive population
The capture Of Pel1in by the allied
forces and the happy release of those
who We're 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 on by the powers. Ne
gotiations are proceeding regarding the
manner in which compliance with these
demands is to be effected.
THE establishment of the Austria
liam commonwealth was proclaimed at
Sydney January /. with many mani
festations of popular enthusiasm and
rejoicing. My deeply beloved and la
mented mother had assented to the
visit of the Duke of Cornwall and York
to open the first parliament of the new
commonwealth in her name A sep
aration from my son, especially at such
a moment, cannot be otherwise than
deeply painful, but | still desire to give
effect to her late majestys wishes. and
as evidence OF her interest as we'll as
of my own, in all that concerns
The welfare of Ny Subjects
beyond the seas. l have decided that
the visit to Australia 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
devotion of Canada and Australasia.
/ rejoice that my request has met with
a prompt and loyal response and large
additional confingents from these col
onies will embark for the seat OF war
at an early date.
''The expedition organized for the
was crowned with signal success. The
endurance and gallantry of my native
troops, ably commanded by Sir James
Wilcox and led by British officers
have overcome the stubborn resistance
of the most warlike tribes OF West
Africa and the exceptional difficulties
of the climate and season OF the coun-
try in which the operations were con-
Quoted 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
ment OF this rich portion of my West
Africa possessions has now, hope,
been finally removed.
"The suffering and mortality caused
by the prolonged drought in large
portion 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 q
serious character still continues. which
my officers are using every endeayor to
mitigate.
Gentlemen of the House OF Com
AlOuS- ne tobtuidttS 1Of tue 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 out
lay consequent upon the South African
war, has involved an inevitable in
crease.
THE demise of the crown renders
it necessary that renewed provision
shall be made for the civil list place
unreservedly at your disposal those her
editary revenues which were so placed
by my predecessor, and I have COM
manded that the papers necessary for
full consideration Of the subject shall
be laid before you.
My Lords and Gentlemen .-Propos-
ais will be submitted to your judgment
for increasing the efficiency OF my mil
itary forces. Certain changes in the
constitution Of the court of final appeal
are rendered necessary in consequences
Of the Increased resort to il which has
resulted from the expansion OF the en-
pire during the last two generations"
The opening Of parliament Witnessed
the usual competition on the part OF