The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-01-16
KING EDWARD FORMALLY OPEN
ED PARLIAMENT TODAY.
SUEAKS OF IsTHMIAN CANAL
Regrets That the South African War
Is Not Concluded and Praises
Ills Soldiers-Read From
the Throne.
tBy Associated Press.l


London, Jan. fixing Edward opened
parliament today with ceremonial ia
all essential respects similar to that of
February last. The procession tc the
house OF lords was of the same char
acter as that witnessed on The ocea-
sion of the opening of the first parlia-
ment of King Edwards reign, while
within the upper house were seen the
same pageantry, the same historic
dresses and the same revival of ancient
forms.
After robng, 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
seated on chairs at the foot of the steps
leading to the throne.
The gentleman usher of the black rod,
General Sir Michael Diddulph, having
summoned the speaker and the members
Of the house of commons. his majesty
read the speech from the throne.
The speech opened with a reference to
the tour of the Prince and Princess of
Wales.
"They were everywhere" said the
king, received with demonstrations OF
the liveliest affection and l am con-
WINGED their presence served to rlvet
more closely the bonds of the mutual
regard and loyalty by which the vigor
of the empire Is maintained"
Indefinite About War.
Referring to Great Britain's relations
with foreign countries, the king said:
Ny relations with the other powers con-
tinue to be most friendly" Contrary to
expectations the kings reference to the
war was just as indefinite as ever. Il
regret" said his majesty, that the war
In South Africa is not concluded, though
the course of the operations have been
favorable to our arms, the area of war
greatly reduced and the industries are
being rescued in my new colonies.
In spite of the tedious character of
the campaign, my soldiers throughout
have displayed cheerfulness In the
endurance of the hardships incident to
guerrilla warfare, and a humanity, even
to their own detriment, in their treat
ment of the enemy, which is 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 contlngents will shortly reach
South Africa from the Dominion of Can
ada, the commonwealth of Australia and
New Zealand"
Refers to Canal.
Then came the clause, "I have con-
cluded with the president of the United
States treaty, the provisions of which
Will facilitate the construction of an
inter-oceanic canal under guarantees
that its neutrality will be maintain
ed and that it will be open to the COM
merce and shipping of all nations"
Next followed references to the Anglo
Brazilian treaty, to the referring of the
British Guiana Brazil boundary ques-
tions to the arbitration OF the king
OF Italy; to the necessity for the contin-
uance OF famine relief measures in India,
and to the death of the ameer, whose
son, Habib Ullah, has expressed an earn
est desire to maintain the friendly rela-
tions with my Indian empire"
Crowds Visited the Ceremony.
The speech concludes with mentioning
proposed legislation of solely domestic
interest, with the exception Of bill to
facilitate the sale and purchase of land
In Ireland.
Their majesties then retired amid a
~
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 the occasion Of the last OPEN
Ing of parliament. Guardsmen, assisted
by hundreds of police. kept the specta-
tors back, but they had little trouble
Only a few attempts at decoration were
visible.