The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-17
EDWARDS SPEECH TO PARLIA-
MENT VERY COMMONPLACE
IN CHARACTER
LIBERALS WILL RIDDLE IT
Attack on War Policy Opened p az
SOOn as the Speech Was Read,
and Promises to Develop
Into a Royal Scraps
JOE CHAMBERLAIN TRUCULENT

LONDON, Jan. liking Edward open
ed parliament today with a ceremonial |
in all essential respects similar to that |
OF February last.
After robing, King Edward and |
Queen Alexandra entered the house of |
peers and occupied the throne beneath |
a canopy with the Prince and Princess |
of Wales on either side of them. The
other members of the royal family were |
seated on chairs at the foot of the |
steps leading to the throne.
The gentleman usher Of the black rod, |
Gen. Sir Michael Biddulph, having sum- |
moned the speaker and the members Of |
the house of commons, his majesty read
the speech from the throne. 1t was not
an important utterance. His majesty re- |
y ferred 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, said he trusted the decision
Of the sugar conference would lead to
the abandonment of bounties, and noted
the conclusion of the Isthmlan canal
treaty.
Contrary to expectations, the king
reference to the war was just as indef-
mite as the statements on the subject
made in the last half dozen messages
from the throne
JOIIying the Tommies.
II regret" said his majesty, that
the war in South Africa is not yet con-
GUIDED though the course of the ope-
ratiOns has been favorable to our arms,
the area of war largely reduced, and
industries are being resumed in my new
colonies. In spite Of the tedious charac-
ter of the campaign, my soldiers
throughout have displayed a cheerful
ness in the endurance of hardships in
cident to guerrilla warfare, and a hu-
-manity, even to their own detriment,
fhAir- of tho which
are deserving OF the highest praise. The
necessity for relieving those of my troops
who have most felt the strain of war,
has afforded me the opportunity OF
again aVailing myself of the loyal
and patriotic offers of my colonies and
further cOntingents will shortly reach
South Africa from the Dominion of
Canada and the commonwealth of AUS
tralia and New Zealand"
After announcing that the estimates
have been framed as economically as
due regard for their efficiency renders
possible in the special circumstances of
the present eXigency,' the speech con-
cIuded with mentioning proposed legis-
lation OF purely domestic interest.
Royalty RecIed in Cage.
In the streets their majesties were
greeted enthusiastically. AS they sat in
the great state coach whose gided pin
nacle brushed the bOughs of the trees
Queen Alexandra looked for all the
world like f1attering painting of Henry
VIII. and one of his better looking
spOuses. They bowed somewhat 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 extremely well,
but her majesty appeared to be in es-
peciaIly good helth.
What with the two central figures so
easily seen and so gorgeously clad, and
the brilliant escort Of life guards whose
bands kept constantly playing, the public
were rewarded for a long, cold wait
by a spectacle of considerable interest,
though so far as unrestrained public en-
thusasm was concerned, it was nothing
TO what occurred earlier in the day when
the guards reinforcements left their
barracks, en- route to South Africa. The
guardsmen tramped through the dark
streets of the metropolis at 6 o'clock in
the morning, accompanied by an uproar-
ious mob of civilian friends, singing
songs to the accompaniment of the band.
The songs and music, however, did not
drown the crying of women, who clung
to the necks and arms of almost every
man of the contingent.
BOer War VIII Not Down
When the house Of commons met this
afternoon to consider the speech from the
throne the Liberal leader, Sir Henry
NdODDGll- SlJikG III EGnG1al
terms against the course of the govern
ment in South Africa, urging Cancellation
in place of brute force. He said the
same to a large measure, was true Of
Ireland, where the government, at pres
ent, was 'houndering between concession
and coercion and urged the adoption OF
the most liberal programme towards 1re-
land.
Earl Spencer OiberaD, criticising the
address, said that while ne recognized the
lmpOssibility of granting the Boer de-
mands for independence, he deprecated
unsistence on unconditional surrender. His
lordship urged the government to promise
The Beers autonomy similar to that pcs
sessed by the governments of Australia
and Canada.
The premier, Lord Salisbury, whose en-
trance into the house was greeted with
hearty applause, said it was quite true
that there was no possibility of granting
the Beers independence. Neither was it
the governments business, after being
gratuitiously attacked, to inform the
Beers on what terms they would be for
given, especially since The Beers had not
yet expressed a wish to BE forgiven.
Lord Salisbury said he favored a pas
4 sive policy of peace which would receive
overtures when made. He wished to
know the truth of the rumors concerning
the visit to London Of DR.. l<uyper, the
premier of Holland. Had DR.. Kuyper
brought such overtures, nc asked.
mot so far as 1 know answered Lord
Salisbury.
Have any overtures been received from
the Boer leaders in Europe?" asked Lord
ROsebery.
To this question Lord Salisbury an
swered no"
Chamberlain TrucuIent
Sir William Vernon Harcourt NiberaD
by attacking the institution of ;nartia
law in Cape Colony and by accusing the
government OF grossly unconsdtutona
conduct in advising the ministers of the
Cape Colony not to SUMMON the Cape
parliament, brought up MIR. Chamber
lain, the colonial secretary, who was il
a most militant mood. He proceeded tC
justify absolutely the action of the Cape
government. Mr.. Chamberlain said ht
did not care a scrap for legal opinion.
on one side or the other, .hat the govern
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