Evening star., 1902-01-16
Brilliant Spectacle Attending the
Function in London.
KINGS SPEECH WAS COMMONPLACE
He Made but Slight Reference to
the Boer War.
TO CANAL TREATY

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 occasion of the opening of
the first parliament of King Edwards
reign, while within the upper house We're
seen the same state pageantry, the same
historic dresses and the same revival IF
ancient forms.
After robing, King Edward and Queen
Alexandra entered the 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 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 utter
ance. 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 trusted the decision
of the sugar conference would lead to the
abandonment of bounties and noted the
conclusion of the isthmian canal treaty.
Tour of Prince of Wales.
The speech opened with reference to the
tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
''They were everywhere" said the king
received with demonstrations of the live
liest affection, and l am convinced their
presence served to rivet more closely the
bonds of mutual regard and loyalty by
which the vigor of the empire is MAIN
tanned
Referring to Great Britain's relations
with foreign countries, the king said:
relations
tinue to be of friendly character"
Contrary to expectations, the kings ref
erence to the war was just as indefinite as
the statements on the subject made in the
last half a dozen messages from the throne
Il regret said his majesty, that 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 be-
ing resumed in my new colonies. In spite
of the tedious character of the campaign,
my soldiers throughout have displayed
cheerfulness in the endurance of the hard
snip incident to puerrilla warfare and
a humanity, even to their own detri-
ment, 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 afforded me the
opportunity of again availing myself of the
loyal and patriotic offers Of my colonies,
and further contingents will shortly reach
ada, the commonwealth Of Australia and
New Zealand"
Regarding Sugar Bountfes.
In regard to the sugar conference the
speech says:
II trust it's decision may lead to the
abandonment of the system by which the
sugar-producing colonies and home manu-
facturers Of sugar have been unfairly
weighted in the prosecution of this im-
portant industry
Then came the following clause:
IL have concluded with the President of
the United States treaty, the provisions
of which will facilitate the construction OF
an 1nteroceanic canal under guarantees
that it's neutrality will be maintained, and
that it will be open to the commerce and
shipping of all nations"
Next followed references to the Anglo
Brazilian treaty, to the referring of the
British Guiana-Braz boundary questions
to the arbitration of the King Of Italy, 70
the necessity for the continuance of famine
relief measures in India, and to the death
of the ameer, whose son, Habib UlIah,
has expressed an earnest desire to maintain
the friendly relations of Afghanistan with
my Indian empire
Retired With a Flourish.
Their majesties then retired amid fam
fare of trumpets and attended by the same
try 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 spectators
back; but they had little to do. Only
few attempts at decoration We're visible.
w
the king and queen drove out from the
court yard in front of Buckingham Pal
ace they were twenty minutes behind time
and King Edward was still struggling with
an unruly glove.
Their majesties were greeted enthusiastic
cally. AS they sat in the great state coach,
whose gilded pinnacle brushed the boughs
ward 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 ship In storm
The king and queen looked extremely
well, but her majesty appeared to be in
good health.
Spectacle Worth Seeing.
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 the long, cold wait by a spec-
tacle Of considerable interest, though. so
far as unrestrained public enthusiasm was
concerned, it was Eothing to what occurred
earlier in the day, when the guards REIN
forcements left their barracks en- route to
South Africa. The guardsmen tramped
the dark streets of the metropolis
at o'clock in the morning, accompanied
by an uproarious mob of civilian friends
singing songs to the accompa niment of the
band. The songs and music, however did
not drown the crying of the women, who
chung to the necks and arms of almost
every man of the contingent.
Kings Remarks Cheered.
The only departure from the extremely
decorous character of the proceedings oc-
Cured when the king referred to the hui
manity 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
prolonged cheer, which was repeated
again and again, to the evident satisfac-
ton of his majesty, but to the apparent
dismay of the officials of the house vhase
signaied deprecations OF this departure
from ancient traditions were Intellectual 10
stop the outburst of enthusiasm.