The age-herald., 1902-01-17
Speech is Severely Criticised in Upper House by Lord
 R0ssbery
SAYS II IS ONE OF THE WEAKEST IN HISTORY
The Crowds Which Waited to See the Great State Carriage Were Not So Large as On Previ- 
 ous Occasions

Londo on. Jaruary 16 Parliament was opened today by King Edward with a cer- emoniai similar in ali respect to that of February last. Within the upper house were seen the same state pageantry. the same historic dresses and the same req vival of the ancient forms.
 The speech was not an important ut- terance His majesty referred in terms of qualification to the world tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales. expressed regret at the fact that the war in South Africa was not concluded and he trusted the decision of the sugar conferences would lepd to the abandonment of boul-' ties and noted the conclusion of the Isth-. man canal treaty.
 Referring to Great Britsjns relations will foreign countries, the King saia: My relations with the otherspowers csn- tlrue to he of friendly charaot er."
 Contrary to expects tions, the Kings rsf- erence to the war was just as indefinite as the statements rade on the same su0- jects in the last half dczen messages from the throne
 Regrets War Is Not Ended. \
 'I regret said His Majesty, that the war in South Africa Is not yet concluded though the course of operations has been l favorable to our arms, the area of the 1 army largely reduced and industries are being resumed in my new colonies. In spite of the tedious character of the cam paign, my soldiers throughout have dis | played cheerfulness in the endurance 1 of hardships incident to guerilla warfare | and humanity, even to their own detri- l ment, in their treatment of the enemy. l which are deserving of the highest praise.
 Then came the following important l clause:
 q have concluded with the President | of the United States treaty. the pro- vision of which will facilitate the con- struction of an inter-oceanic canal. under | guarantees that It's neutrality will be maintained and that 1t will be open to the commerce and shipping of all nations" The crowd which lined the route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster to review the procession, was not nearly So large as on the occasion of the last opening of Parliament. Guardian en as, SlSteu Dy nunuTeuS or ponce kept lnd spectators back Only few attempts at decoration were visible.
 Royalty Was Late.
 For once royalty was late and when the king and queen drove out of the court yard in front of Buckingham Palace they were twenty minutes behind time. and King Edward was still struggling with an unruly glove.
 
 astically. As they sat in the great state coach whose gilded pinnacle brushed ths boughs of the trees in the green park. Kind Edward and Queen Alexandria looked for all the world like a hutterina painting of Henry VIII. and one of his better looking spouses. They bowed some what wildly from their huge gold and glass frame, which shook and reeled on its ancient springs. like a ship in a storm.
 The King and Queen both looked ex- tremely well, but her majesty appeared td be in especially good health.
 l What with the two central figures SC easily seen and so gorgeousy clad. and the brilliant escort of life guards. whose l band kept constantly playing, the public I were rewarded for their long. cold wait | by a spectacle of considerable interest. l but so far as unrestrained public en- | thusiasm was concerned 1t was nothing | in comparison to what occurred in thd earlier day, when guards endorsements 1 left their barracks en route to South Af- rica. The guardsmen tramped through the dark streets of the metropolis at o'clock in the morning accompanied by an up- in the morning. accompanied by an up- to the accompaniment of the band. The songs and music. however. did not drown the crying of women, who chung to the necks and arms of almost every man of the contingent.
 Debate In House Interesting.
 The debate in the House of Lords on the opening of Parliament was far more in- teresting than that in the House of Com- mons, which, except for Mir. Chamber lain's speech was rather dull and lan- guid.
 In the upper house Lord Lytton. son of the poet -diplomatist, seconded the ad- dress in reply to the speech from the throne in a speech which drew high praise from Lord Roseberry as far the abiest he had ever heard on such an occasion"
 After Lord Saisburys brief reply, Lord Roseberry began an extended criticism by describing King Edwards speech as the most jejune ever placed on the lips of any monarch The speaker expressed his skepticism as to the motives of the visit to London of pr. Kuypers. saying:
 T do not suppose he came to see the old masters" He twitted Mir. Chamber lain for trailing his diplomatic coat and inviting anybody to tread upon it", and contended that the name of Great Britain was now held in hostility abroad compared to which all previous recordG faded into insignificance.
 During the speech Lord Salisbury con~. stantly ro SC to make corrections or objec-i tioIs. uEtil finally Lord Roseberry said he would not further touch upon topics which seemed to irritate the premier
 Lord Lsnsdown foreign secretary. con-l hated the view. that Great Britain wal hated abroad