The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-17
REFERS TO THE BOER WAR
But Gives Small Assurance of an
Early Peace.
HUMANITY OF BRITISH 1RoO7S PRAISED
When the King Refers to This the House Of
Lords Breaks Into Cheers. Beers Have
Made No 0verlures
for Peace.
(By the Associated Press J


London. Jan. fixing Edward opened
Parliament today whit a ceremonial in
all essential respects similar to that of
February last. he procession to the
House of Lords was of the same charac-
ter as that Witnessed on the occasion of
the opening of the first Parliament of
King Edwards reign, while within the
upper house were seen the same state
pageantry. the sac historic dresses and
the same revival of ancient forms.
After robing, King Edward and Queen
Alexandra entered he House of Peers
and occupied their thrones 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
General Sir Michael Biddulph, having
summoned the speaker and the members
of the House of Commons, His Majesty
| read the speech from the throne.
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, said he trust
ed the decision of the sugar conference
would lend TO the abandonment of boun-
ties, and noted the conclusion of the
, isthmian canal treaty.
Contrary TO expectations the Kings
reference to the war was just as indefi-
mite as the statements on the subject
made in the last half dozen messages
from the throne.
Il regret" said His Majesty, chat the
war in South Africa is not yet concluded.
though the course of the operations 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 character of the
campaign my soldiers throughout have
displayed a cheuerfulness in the endu-
rance of the hardships incident to gucril-
la warfare, and a humanity even to their
own detriment, in their treatment OF
the enemy, which are deserving of the
| highest praise. The necessity for re-
| lieying those of my troops who have
most felt the strain of war, has afforded
me the opportunity of again avaiIing
myself of the loyal and patriotic offers
Ol my COlOnleS, ana IuTInef cOnIluBenLS
will shortly reach South Africa from the
Dominion of Canada, the commonwealth
| of Australia and New Zealand"
! Then came the following clause:
Il have concluded with the President
of the United States, treaty. the pro-
! visions Of which will facilitate the con-
struction of an inter oceanic canal under
! guarantees that its neutrality will be
] oinfa nd baf - nil bo
| the commerce and shipping of all ma
tions.
Their Maiesties then retired amid a
fanfare of trumpets and attended by the
! same regal ceremony as accompanied
their entry into the House
/ The crowds which lined the route from
/ Buckingham Palace to Westminster to
/ view the procession, were not nearly so
/ large as on tho occasion of the last open
\ ing of Parliament For oEce royalty
was late, and when the King and Queen
drove out from the court yard in front
oof buckingham Palace. they were twen-
/ ty minutes behind time and King Ed
ward was still struggling with an un-
ruy glove.
| Their Maicsties were greeted enthu-
tiastically. AS they sat in the great
/ state coach, whose gilded pinnacle brush
! ed the boughs of the trees in the Green
Park, King Edward and Queen Alexandra
T looked for all the world life fiattering
! painting OF Henry VIII, and one OF his
| better-loolling spouses. They bowed
! somewhat wildly from their huge gold
t and glass frame. which shook and reeled
on its ancient springs, like a ship in a
storm.
| The only departure from the extreme
/ ly decorous character of the proceedings
occurred wheh the King referred to the
humanity of the British troops in South
| Africa. This led to an unprecedented
scene in the House of Lords Peers and
] Peeresses and high officers of state
broke out into a prolonged cheer which
was repeated again and again, to the
/ evident satisfaction of His Majesty. but
to the apparent dismay of the officials of
the House, whose signalled deprecations
of this departure from ancient traditions
were Intellectual to stop the outburst of
enthusiasm
The Lord Chancellor, Earl Halsbury.
formally read the Kings speech.
Earl Spencer (Liberal criticising the
address, said that while he recognized
the impcssibility of granting the Boer
| demands for independence he deprecated