Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-21
KING EDWARD VII
OPENS PARLIAMENT
Most Brilliant Pageant and Ceremony
Seen In London Since 1851.
ROYAL MARCH TO WESTMINSTER
King Edward Addresses Lords
and Commons.
HOPEFUL TONE PERVAOES THE SPEECH

London. Eng, Feb. H.-The first Par
lament of the reign of King Edward VII
was opened this afternoon by the king in
person. His majesty was accompanied by
Queen Alexandra. the duke OF YORK and
Cornwall, the duke OF Connaught ana many
others of the royal family.
The last state ceremony of the kind
occurred in 1861, whom Queen Victoria
opened Parliament, accompanied by the
prince consort, and since the death OF the
Inter nothing equal to today's pomp hBa
heen witnessed in London in connection
with the opening of the Legislature. Not
since the wedding of the then Prince OF
Wales and Princess Alexandra has the
gorgeous state couch used toby been seen
in the streets Of the capital. In this coach
today the king and queen rode from BUCK
ingham Palace to the Palace of Westmin-
ster.
The route of the royal party, which lny
through the Mall, the Horse Guards Parade,
White Hall and Parliament street, was
guarded by 500 soldiers. Tn usands Of
Londoners packed St.James' Park, bordered
the route of the procession and filled win
dows. stands and roofs. The cortego wus
short, but spectacular. The royal coach was
drawn by eight famous cream -colored
Hanovarian horses with positions In red
and gold liyeries and footmen leading the
horses. which we're covered with trappings
of morocco ami gilt. The coach was pre-
ceded and followed by Life Guards 10 full
uniform, with silver breast plates and red
plumed helmets, and small escort Of gem
tlemen- alarms, In historic costumes, im-
mediately surrounded the vehicle
Five carriages OF state, containing unt-
formed officials ana ladies' of the household,
each carriage drawn by six horses With
positions and outIiders. led the procession.
Next came the massive state chariot, the
occupants of which could be plainly seen
through the plate glass windows. the king,
who was In full uniform. saluting con-
stantly, and the queen bowling on oil Sides
The procession speedily trayersed the
short route to an accompaniment OF roHrs
and shouts and reached the royal entrance
TO Westminster Palace, beneath the Victoria
Tower, at the appointed time. There the
great officers of state and the others who
were to take pnrt In the ceremony had as.
sembled in order to receive their mnjestiss.
Upon the king and queen alighting from
the Etate carriage, the procession wna
quickly formed and proceeded to the robina
room.
The diminutive chamber was filed to its
capacity by the highest and nohlest OF tho
kingdom, the greater part of the floor space
being occupied by peeresses and other
ladies' introduced by peers. The United
States Ambassador, Joseph II. Choate. and
the other ambassadors occupied O special
enclosure behind the bench of the bishops.
The whole scene was brlliant la tho
extreme. Diamonds flashed out of the folds
of the black dresses of the ladies', while
color was added to the scene by the robes OF
the peers and the state officials.
BY O'Clock the scene In the old palace
yard wns one of great animation owing to
the constant arrival of carriages containing
| royal personages and other distinguished
people. Many of the nobility used their
state coaches. The members Of the Rouse
| of Commons. in the meantime, strealned
| into their hall.
m 10. .E 10 ,1,ar rs ba
| House of Commons in the House of Lords,
the king took the outh and then read bis
| speech. The assemblage stood while lhe
| speech was read. The king did not wear
| tho crown.
THE KINGS SPEECH.
The kings speech was as follows:
'.My Lords and Gentlemen: | address
| you for the first time at a moment Of
| national sorrow, when the whole country ID
mourning the irrepRrlble loss we have sd
recently sustained, and which has fallen
| with peculiar severity on myself. My be-
loved mother during her long and glorious
| reign has set nn example before the world
| of what munarch should be. Il Is my
earnest desire to walk in her footsteps.
amid this public aud private grief It Is
satisfactory to me to be able to assure you
TINT my relations with the other Powers
continue friendly.
THE war in South Africa is not yet
/ tHllItly ltrllillHlttis DUu tnb Chpithih VI bn0
| enemy and his principal lines of eeininuni-
cation are in my possession, and IneasuraaI
have been taken which will, trust. enable'
my troops TO deal eifectually with the forces
by which they are still opposed.
II greatly regret the loss of lito and ex-
penditute of treasure due to the truitless
| guerilla warfare maintained by Bocr
partisans in the former territories of the
two republics, Their early submission 10
much to be desired in their own interests,
as until 1t takes place ii will be Impossible
for me to establish in those colonies the in
situations which will secure the equal rights
of all the white inhabitants and protection
and Justice for the native population.
1.-THE capture of Pekin by the allied forces
and the happy release of those who were
besieged in the legations, results to which
my Indian troops and my naval forces
largely contributed, have been followed by
the submission Of the Chinese goyernmenp
to the demands insisted on by the Powers
Negotiations are proceeding regarding the
manner in which the compliance with these
| dnmands ia In bp effectefl