The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-16
HIS SECOND
PARLIAMENT.
King Edward, or England,
Again Opens the Session
OF the British Lawmakers With
Strict Ceremonial.
SAME STATE PAGEANT
Witnessed Previously Is Pre-
served ON This Occasion.
Expresses Regret at Continu-
ance of the Boer War.

London, Jan. 16.-King Edward OPEN
ed parliament today with a ceremonial
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 oc-
cas1on of the opening of the first parlia-
ment of King Edwards reign, while
within the upper house were seen the
same state pageantry, the same historic
dresses and the same revival of ancient
forms.
After robing, King Edward and Queen
Alexandra entered the house of peers
and occupied their thrones beneath
canopy, with the Prince and Princess of
Wales on either side of them The other
members of the royal family were seat
ed on chairs at the foot of the steps
leading to the throne
The gentleman usher of the Black
Rod, Sir Michael Biddulph, having sum-
moned 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, ex-
pressed regret at the fact that the war
in South Africa was not concluded, said
he trusted the decision of the sugar con-
ference would lead to the abandonment
of bounties, and noted the conclusion of
the Isthmian canal treaty.
The speech opened with a reference
to the tour of the Prince and Princess
said the king, received with demonstra-
tions of the hveliest affection and am
convinced their presence served to rivet
more closely the bonds of mutual re-
gard and loyalty by which the vigor of
the empire is maintained"
Referring to Great Britain's relation
with foreign countries the king said:
My relations with the other powers
continue to be of a friendly character
Contrary to expectations, the kings
ference to the war was just as indefinite
as the statements on the subject made
in the last half dozen messages from
the throne.
Il regret said his majesty, that the
war in South Africa is not yet conclud-
ed, 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 cheerfulneSS in the endur-
ance of the hardShipS incident to gueril-
la warfare and a humanity, even to
their own detr1ment, In their treatment
of the enemy, which are deserving of
the highest praise. The necessity for
relieving those of my troops who have
most felt the strain of war, has afford
ed 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 the common
wealth of Australia and New Zealand
In regard to the sugar conference, the
speech says
L trust it's decision may lead to the
abandonment of the system by which
the sugar producing colonies and home
manufacturers of sugar have been un-
fairly weighed in the prosecution OF
this important industry
Then came the following clause:
Il have concluded with the president
of the United States a treaty, the pro-
visions of which will facilitate the con-
struction of an interoceanic canal under
guarantees that its neutrality will be
maintained and that it will be open to
the commerce and shipping of all ma
tons
Next followed references to the Anglo
Brazilian treaty, to the referring Of the
British Guiana Brazil boundary ques-
ton to the arbitration of the Ting OIL
Italy; to the necessity of the ~ontinu-
ance of the famine relief measures in
India, and to the death of the ameer,
whose son, Habib Ullah, has expressed
an earnest desire to maintain the friend
ly relations of Afghanistan with my In
dian empire"
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-
cluded with mentioning proposed legis-
Iation of solely domestic interest, with
the exception of bill to facilitate the
sale and purchase of land in Ireland.
Their majesties then retired amid u
fanfare of trumpets and attended by the
their entry into the house.
The crowds which lined the thorough
fare from Buckingham palace to West
minister to view the procession were not
nearly so large as on the occasion of the
last opening of parliament. Guardsmen
assisted by hundreds of police kept the
spectators back, but they had little to
do. Only a few attempts al decoration
We're visible.
For once royalty was late, and when
the king and queen drove out from the
court yard in front of buckingham pal
ace, they We're 20 minutes behind time,
and King Edward was still struggling
with unruly glove
Their majeSties We're greeted enthu-
siastically. AS they sat in the great
state coach, whose gilded pinnacle
green park, King Edward and Queen
Alexandra looked for all the world like
a flattering 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 especially good health.
What with the two central figures so
easily seen and so gorgeously clad, and
the brilliant escore of life guards, whose
bands kept constantly playing, the pub
lie were rewarded for their long, cold
wait, by a spectacle of considerable in
terest though far unrestrained
public enthusiasm was concerned it
was nothing to what occurred earlier
in the day when the guards reinforce
mentS left their barracks en- route to
South Africa. The guardsmen tramped
through the dark streets of the me-