Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-14

royal family. The last state ceremo-
ny of this kind occurred in sixty-one,
when Queen Victoria opened parlia-
ment, accompanied by the Prince Con-
sort, and since the death of the latter
nothing equal to today's pomp has
been witnessed in London in connec-
tion with the opening of the legisla-
ture.
Gorgeous State Coach Used.
Not since the wedding of the Prince
of Wales and the Princess Alexandra
has the gorgeous state coach used to-
day been seen in the streets of the
capital. In this coach today the King
and Queen rode from Buckingham pal
ace to the palace of Westminter. The
route of the royal party was guarded
by 5000 soldiers. Thousands of Lon
doners bordered the route and filled
the windows, stands and roofs. The
cortege was short, but spectacular.
The procession speedily traversed the
short route to the accompaniment of
roars and shouts and reached the roy
al entrance of the palace of Westmin-
ster at the appointed time.
There all the great officers of state,
and others who take part in the cere-
mony were assembled and received
their majesties. Upon the King and
Queen alighting from the state car
riage the procession was quickly form
ed, and proceeded to the robing room
where the members of the royal family
and their attendants had previously
assembled in the house of Peers to
await their majesties. The Duke of
York was not present. The diminutive
chamber was filled to its capacity, the
greater part of the floor space being
occupied by peeresses and other Ia
dies.
Ambassador choate Present.
Ambassador Choate and other am
bassadors occupied special enclosure
behind the bench of Bishops. The
whole scene was brilliant in the ex-
treme.
Parliament Summoned.
His majesty was enthroned and the
Lord Great Chamberlain received the
royal command to summon the mem
bers of the House of Commons to hear
the speech from the throne. On the
arrival of the members of the House
the King read his speech, having pre-
viously taken the oath. The assem-
blage stod while the speech was read.
The King did not wear a crown.
Kings Speech.
The kings speech in parliament
follows: my Lords and Gentlemen:
address you for the first time at a
moment of national sorrow, when the
whole country is mourning the irrep-
arabic loss SO recently sustained
and which has fallen with peculiar
severity on myself. My beloved
mother, during long and glorious
reign set an example before the world
of what monarch should be. It IS
my earnest desire to walk in her foot
steps. Amid this public and private
1 grief it is satisfactory to me to be able
to assure you that my relations with
other powers continue friendly"
The King expressed regret at the
continuation of the guerrilla warfare
maintained by the Beers, and says
measures will be taken which he
trusts will enable the troops to termin-
ate the war. He rejoices in the patriot
ism and devotion of Canada and Aus.
tralasia as shown by the prompt and
ready response to the call for troops,
/ and large additional contingents
from those colonies will embark for
South Africa at an early date. He
calls attention to the suppression of
the rebellion in Ashanti, the principal
kings having surrendered and chief
impediment to the progress of devel-
opment in West Africa possessions is
thus removed.
AS to China.
Referring to China he says that ne
gotiations are proceeding regarding
the manner in which demands insisted
on by powers should be affected.
Son Will Visit Canada.
Referring to, the visit of the Duke
of Cornwall and York to open the first
parliament in the new commonwealth
of Australia, he says that while the
separation of his son at present would
be deeply painful to him, yet as he de-
sires to effect the late queens wishes
to have the parliament opened in her
name,he has determined that the visit
shall not be abandoned, but shall be
extended to New Zealand and Canada.
In closing, the king said: .The es-
innate for the years will be laid be-
fore you. Every care has been taken
20 limit the amount but the naval