The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-17
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
AN ENTED SCENE DU-
 RING THE KINGS SPEECH.

Lords-Premier Salisbury Answers tn.
 ceived From the Boer Leaders in
 Europe.
 London, Jan. 16.--king Edward open
 ed parliament this afternoon with a
 ceremonial in all essential respects sim
 ilar to that of last February.
 The only departure from the decorous
 character of the proceedings occurred
 when 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 peer
 esses and high officers fstate broke
 out into a prolonged cheer, which was
 repeated again and again to the evident
 satisfa ction of the king, but to the ap-
 parent dismay of the officials of the
 house, whose signalled deprecations of
 this departure from ancient traditions
 were utterly unable to stop the out
 burst of enthusiasm.
 The speech opened with a reference to the tour of the Prince and Princess of
 Wales. They were everywhere" said the king, received with demonstration of the liyeliest affection, and I am con- vinced that their presence served to rivet more closely the bonds of mutual regard and loyalty by which the vigor of the empire is maintained"
 Referring to Great Britain's relations with foreign countries, the king said; My relations with the other powers continue to be of a friendly character.
 Contrary to expectations, the kings reference to the war in South Africa was as indefinite as the statements on the subject made in the last half a doz- en messages from the throne. 'I re- gret," said he, that the war in South Africa is not yet concluded, though the course of the operations has been favor able to our arms, the area of war large ]y reduced, and industries are being re- sumed 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 guerilla warfare and humanity, even to their own det riment, in their treatment of the enc my which are deserving of the highest praise. The necessity for relieving lHuse Ol ny tfOOpS WIlO nave uiOSt lSil the strain of war has afforded me the opportunity of again availng myself of the loyal and patriotic offers of my col onies, 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 at Brussels the speech says: T trust it's decision may lead to the abandonment of the system by which the sugar-pro- ducing colonies and home manufactur- CTS of sugar have been unfairly weight ed in the prosecution of this important industry
 Then came the following clause: ''T have concluded with the president of the United States treaty the provis ions of which will facilitate the con- struction of an inter-oceanic canal lln- der guarantees that it's neutrality will be maint aimed, and that it will be open to the commerce and shipping of all na- tions'
 Earl Spencer (IiberaD, criticising the address, said that while he recognized the impossibility of granting the Boer demands for independence yet he dep recated insistence on unconditional sur render. His lordship urged the govern ment to promise the Boers autonomy similar to the governments of Australia and Canada.
 The premier, Lord Salisbury, whose entrance into the house was greeted with hearty applause, said he was glad to hear Earl Spencer vent an utterance for which he (the premier) had been a,,;,, ,,ln,1, It was quite likely there was no poss- biity of granting the Boers independ- ence. Neither was it the governments business, after being gratuitously at- tackled, to inform the Boers on what terms they would be forgiven, especial ly since the Boers had not yet expressed a wish to be forgiven, Lord Salisbury by defending martial law in South Africa and urged the opposition to remember they were not dealing with the question whether they could make put good case against the govern ment. The premier pleaded that they should not allow their eagerness to inn prove their party position and make them forget the issue-whether or not Great Britain should be victor in the war. He reminded the opposition that I wrong settlement now would impose grave difficulties and endorsements lpon the nation for many years to , come.
 Replying to the premier, Lord Rose e ,ery said he favored a passive policy of 7 peace, which would receive overtures = when these were made, and that in this I connection he wished to know the truth z If the rumors concerning the visit to f london of Dr. Kuyper, the premier of Holland: had Dr. Kuyper brought such vertures?
 Not so far as l know" answered lord Salisbury. + Have any overtures been received rom the Boer leaders in Europe?" ask q Lord Roseberv. To this question Lord Salisbury an- wered, NO"
 In tho Commons. f After the speech from the throne had a cen formally read in the house of com aons and the address in reply had cen moved and seconded, the liberal sader, Sir Henry Campbell Banner n nan. spoke in general terms, against a he course of the government in South a ,frica. urging conciliaton in place of h rute force He said the same to a fl 3rpe n1aa sure was true of Ireland, ,