The Nome nugget., 1902-03-22
q Ifle Britist. Parliament in
 Session.
FROM THE THRONE
King Edwards References to the BOer War Indefinite and DiSap- ng-Neutrality of Nicaragua Canal Is Guaranteed.

London, January 16.-King Edward opened parliament this afternoon with ceremonies in all essential respects similar to that of February last. The procession to the house of lords was of the same character as that witnessed on the occasion of the opening of the first parliament of the kings reign. while within the upper house was seen the same state pageantry, the same historic dress and the same revival of ancient forms.
 After robing, the king and queen en- tered the house of peers and occupied their thrones beneath the canopy, with the Prince and Princess of Wales on either side of them. Other members of the royal family were seated on chairs at the foot of the step leading to the thrones.
 Gentleman Usher of Black Rod Gen. eral Sir Michael Biddulph having sum- noned the speaker and members of the house of commons, his majesty read his speech from the throne.
 The speech opened with a reference to the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
 "They were everywhere received with demonstrations of great affection, and 1 am convinced their presence served to rivet more closely the bonds of mutual regard and loyalty by which the vigor of the empire is maintained. !" said the king.
 Referring to Great Britain's rela- tions with foreign countries, the king said: My relations with foreign powers continue to be of friendly character"
 Contrary to expectations, the king s reference to the war was just as in- definite as his statements on the sub- ject made in the last half dozen mes sages from the throne. He said: "I regret that the war in South Africa is not yet concluded, though, of course, operations have been favorable to amicable arrangements, and the war is largely reduced, and industries gen erally are being resumed in the new colonies. In spite of the tedious char acter of the campaign my soldiers throughout have displayed great cheer fulness and endurance of hardships incident to such warfare, and have shown great humanity, even to their own detriment, in their treatment of the enemy, which acts are deserving of the highest praise. The necessity for relieving those of my troops who have most fell. the strain of the War has af- fOrded me an opportunity of again availing myself of loyal patriotic offers of the colonies, and further contingents will shortly reach South Africa from Canada, Australia and New Zealand" "
 Then came the following clause:
 ''I have concluded with the president of the United States treaty, the pro- visions of which will facilitate the con- structiOn of the inter-Oceanic canal under guarantees that its neutrality will be maintained and will be open to the commerce and shipping of all na- tions.' t-.-
 Then followed references to the Anglo Brazilian treaty, referring to the British Guiana and Brazil bound ary questions, which are to be referred to the arbitration of the king of Italy; of the necessity of the continuance of famine relief measures In India, and to the death of the ameer, "whose son has expressed an earnest desire to maintain the present friendly relations of Afghanistan with my empire."
 After announcing that the estimates have been framed as economically as due regard for their efficiency rendered possible in view of the present exi- 'gency, the speech concluded with men, tioning the proposed legislation oi solely domestic interest, with\the ex. ception of the bill to facilitate the sale and purchase of land in Ireland.