Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-02-18
KING EDWARD VII
OPENS PARLIAMENT
Royal'P Procession From Buck
ingham Palace.
SPEECH READ FROM THRONE.

/ ~ -=SaA NEAL EnOY ! F1nONEA
His Majesty Is Pleased that the Nego-
tiations For the Adjustment of the
Venezuelan Dispute Have Been Sat
isfactoriIy Arranged.
London, Feb liking Edward, ac-
companied by Queen Alexandra and
surrounded by the court and all the of
! icers, of state, opened parliament this
afternoon.
Early in the morning the vaults of
the houses were searched as usual for
imaginary conspirators by the yeomen
Of the guard, carrying ancient lanterns
and useless halbirds The movement
of the troops taking up positions along
| the route Of procession followed, so
the crowds that had been attracted by
the fine weather and the desire to wit
nes the royal pageant did not lack
entertainment during the long wait
The royal procession, consisting of six
state carriages escorted by life guards,
! started from Buckingham palace at
1870 O'Clock Their majesties were
seated in the last carriage, which was
drawn by the eight Hanovarian horses,
which have figured in all the recent
royal ceremonies. The king and
queen reached Victoria tower through
the Mall, the horse guards and White
hall The great officers of state in
vari-colored uniforms were assembled
at the royal entrance of the house of
peers to receive the king. The pro
cession, which was identical with that
of previous similar ceremonies, form
ed and headed by the pursuivants and
heralds, marched to the robing rooms,
their majesties being Immediately pre-
ceded by the sword of state, carried
by the marquis of Londonderry. After
the robing the procession reformed and
with a blast of trumpets advanced to
the peers chamber. the duke of Devon
shire, lord president of the council,
preceding their majesties with the i'm
perial crown which he carried on a
cushion. The king then seated him
self on the throne with the lords bear
ing the cap Of maintenance and the
sword of state standing on his right
and left. The queen sat on the kings
left and the prince of wales on his
right.
The members of the house of com
mons we're then summoned, and on
their arrival the lord high chancellor,
Earl Halsburg, kneeling, handed the
king the speech, which his majesty
read from the steps Of the throne as
follows:
My I ords and Gentlemen: My re-
lations with al 1.-The foreign powers con-
tinue friendly.
The blockade of the Venezuelan
parts has led to negotiations for the
adjustment of all the matters in dis
pute. 1 rejoice that a settlement has
now been arrived at which has justi-
fed the blOckading powe& in bringing
all hostile naval operations to an i'm
mediate close. Negotiations have been
closed for tn amicable adjustment of
the differences which have arisen in
regard to the boundary of my posses
sions in North America and that of the
territory of Alaska A treaty provid-
ing for the reference of these ques.
tiOns to an arbitral tribunal has been
signed and ratified"
The speech next referred to the Bal
kan question, saying:
"The condition of the European prov.
inces of Turkey gives cause for seri-
GUS anxiety. I have used by best
efforts to impress on the sultan and
his ministers the urgent need of prac-
ticaI, we'll considered methods of re-
form.
After noting that Austria and Russia
have been considering the reforms
which the signatories of the Berlin
treaty should recommend to the sultan,
the speech adds
81 trust that the proposals will prove
sufficient for the purpose and that
shall find 1t possible to give them my
hearty support"
The king mentioned next the Alden
Hinterland dispute and the Southland
expeditions and then turned to South
Africa on which subject he said:
The progress of events in South At
rica has been satisfactory. The visit
of the colonial secretary has already
been productive Of the happiest re.
suits and the opportunity it has pro
vided for personal conferences with
Lord Miner and the ministers of the
self governing colonies and the repre-
sentatiyes OF all interests and nninions