The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-15

| been crowned with signal success TIL,
! endurance and gailantry of my lativ,
troops. ably commanded by Sir Jamel
Willcocks and led by British officers
have overcome both the stubborn resist
ance Of the most warlike tribes in Yves
Africa and the exceptional difficulties o
the climate. the season. and the coun1r!
in which the operations have been con
Quoted
THE garrison OF Kumassi, which was
besieged by the enemy. has been relieved
after prolonged and gallant defence
the principal kings have surrendered
and the chief impeachment to the progress
and development of this rich portion Of
my West African possessions has now,
hope. been finally removed.
THE INDIAN FAMINE.
1.-The suffering and mortality caused by
prolonged drought over a large portion
OF my Indian Empire has been greatly al
leviated by a seasonable rainfall, but
regret to add That in parts of the Bombay
Presidency distress of a serious charac-
ter still continues which my officers are
using every endeavor to mitigate.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons
before you. Every care has been taken
TO limit their amount, but the naval and
military requirements of the country, and
especially the outlay consequent on the
South African war, have involved an in
eyitable increase.
THE demise of the Crown renders 4,
necessary that renewed provision shall b.
made for the civil list. l place unre-
servedly at your disposal those heredi-
tary revenues which were so placed by
my predecessor. and / have commanded
that the papers necessary for full con-
sideration of the subject shall be laid be-
fore you.
MY Lords and Gentlemen, proposals
will be submitted TO your Judgment for
increasing the efficiency of my military
forces. Certain changes in the constitu.
tional court of final appeal are rendered
necessary in consequence of the increasing
resort to il which has resulted from the
expansion of the Empire during the last
two generations. Legislation will be pro-
posed to you for the amendment of the
law relating to education. Legislation has
been prepared and if the time at your c,s.
posal proves to be adequate, will be laid
before you for the purpose of regulating
voluntary sale by a landlord to occupying
tenants in Ireland; for amending and con-
selidatiDg the factory and workshops acts;
for the better administration of the Law
respecting lunatics; for amending the
public health acts in regard to the water
supply; for the prevention of drunkenness
in licensed houses or public places and
for amending the law Of literary copy
right.
Il pray that the Almighty God may con-
tinue TO guide you in the conduct Of your
deliberations and may bless them with
SUCCESS"
A MAJESTIC ENSEMBLE.
Every person in the house stood during
the Kings speech and the ensemble was
e majestic one.
Lord Halsbury, Lord Chancellor the
Duke Of Devonshire, and the Duke of Nor
folk, hereditary Earl Marshal. stood at
the Kings right, and the Marquis OF
Salisbury and the Earl of Devonshire Oh
his left. The judges, arrayed in their
robes, were seated around the woolsack
bench and the Bishops on the bench ad-
joining
Lord Waterford moved and Lord Man
vers seconded the address in reply tc the
Kings speech. Both laid particular stress
Oh the need of army reorganization.
The debate in the House of Lords On
the address in reply to the Kings speech
was brief. The Earl of Kimberley. leader
OF the Opposition, attacked the conduct OF
the war in South Africa.
Prime Minister Salisbury cited the In
dian mutiny, the American War of the
Rebellion, and the Bosnian rising as
showing there was nothing unreasonable
in the length OF the present campaign in
such a country as South Africa. He con-
tended that British mastership must be
made complete or otherwise there would
be no hope of an abiding peace.
Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman, leader
of the Liberal opposition, led the attack
on the Government in the House of Com
leading the country and mismanaging the
whole campaign. He conterded that the
sending of endorsements ought to be
accompanied by definite proposal of
terms of peace.
Mr. Arthur Balfour Government leader
in the House. replying 10 Sir Henry Camp
bell Bannerman, said he thought IT was
desirable to declare with the utmost EN-
phasis that the war would not end until
Great Britain was in absolute and com
pIeto conquest and control OF the terri
tory of the two bclligerent States. He
added that it would be absolute insanity
TO give them Immediately, as has been
suggested, self-Soverning institutions.
while the effect of the war and the mem
DRY thereof still existed. The result would
only be an intsrnicine conflict.
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain. reply
ing to criticism of the Right Hon. James
Bryce, said that unconditional surrender
only applied TO the Boer Governments.
Terms were always offered 10 individuals
who gave up their arms.
Referring to the civil list. Mr.. Balfour
recalled that there had been times when
its discussion had led to party wrangling
That was when the proposals not only re
ferred to the dignity OF the throne, but
to the past debts Of the monarch. In this
instance. he said. there were no debts.
IChe rrs.l
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman said he
was sure the House would cheerfully make
the necessary provision.
The method of summoning the House of
Commons was as follows: