Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
KING TO PARLIAMENT
British Legislature Prorogued With
the Usual Royal Speech.
REFERENCE TO The B0ER WAR
London Press Comment Unfavor-
ably on Work of Session.
CLOTURE OFTEN INVOKED

LONDON. August f7.-Pariiament wound
Black rod (Gen. Sir Michael Bidulph) sum-
moned the commons at about 4 o'clock in
the house to hear the kings speech. The
royal commissioners on this occasion were
the lord chancellor. Earl Haisbury: the
Duke of Marlborough, Lord Ashbourne:
the Earl Of kintore and Earl Waldegrave.
They were all attired I'm their peers robes.
On the arrival OF commons the speech was
read. 1t says:
MY lords and gentlemen: II Is satis-
factory to be able to close the first parlia-
ment of my reign with the assurance that
the cordiality of the relations OF Great
Britain with the other powers remains un-
diminished
A reference to China is merely congrat-
uiatory on the attainment Of an agreement
In regard to the indemnity, security for
it's payment and the punishment OF the
most guilty offenders
In regard to South Africa the speech
says:
The progress of my forces I'm the con-
quest OF the two republics by which my
South African colonies have been invaded
has been steady and continuous. But, ow-
ing to the difficulty and extent Of the coun-
try to be traversed the length Of the mil
itary operations has been protracted.'
Royal Visit to Colonies.
The speech refers to the signal success
of the Duke of Cornwall and York's visit
to the colonies as additional proof OF the
patriotism, loyalty and devotion of the
people of my dominions over the sea-"
The rest Of the speech merely records the
kings satisfaction with the liberal provis-
ions made for the naval and military ser
vices. the arrangements made for the main
tenance Of the honor and dignity of the
crown, respectfully those which affect the
state and comfort Of my royal consort,"
and the authorization to change the royal
title 1t concludes:
II earnestly commend you to the merciful
protection and guidance of Almighty God"
Returning to the house Of commons, the
members filed past the speaker. shaking
hands with him. and the first parliament
of King Edward VII was ended
Press Crfticises Work of the Session.
The Pail Mall Gazette refers to the
results accomplished with annotations
on ''the decay OF parliamentary gov
eminent and 1.-The breakdown of the
constitutional system" However this may
be, finance was the only big thing dealt
with during the session. Even the Times
and Standard point out the decline of the
authority of the ministers In the house OK
commons. The cloture has been more fre-
quently used than ever before. Mr.. Bal
four, the government leader, has delighted
the cynics by his cool unconcern in walk
ing into the house OF commons at IL
o'clock and breaking off debate by the
cloture.
The Statist says the government has bum
gled in the war and in finance. 1t defines
Sir Michael Hicks Beach. chancellor Of
the exchequer, a politician absolutely
ignorant of finance, and who knows as lit
tie about the money market as any other
country gentleman" The paper contrasts
the effects of the enormous sums borrowed
by the United States in the civil war and
by France in 1870, with the fall in consols
resulting from the methods of Sir Michael
Hicks Beach, and attributes Ii to the gov
ernments financing. 1t says there Is 4
mistaken belief abroad that the resources OF
the country have been immensely exagger-
ated and the Great Britain is not SO rich
as imputed, and claims that the belief in
the almost inexhaustible resources of Great
Britain has been heretofore one Of the
great guarantees of peace.