Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-17
Speech of Edward Read From
 Steps of Throne.
FRIENDLY WITH THE POWERS

A This Was the Opening Paragraph Of
 the Speech The Venezuelan Ques-
 tion Touched Upon Queen AIexan- dra, Surrounded by State Ohicers,
 Present During Reading of Speech
 London, Feb liking Edward, an~ cOmpanied by Queen Alexandra, and surrounded by the court and officers of state, opened parliament to-day. Tn Nne morning the vaults of the houses were searched as usual for innaginAry, conspirators by the yeomen Of fha guard The movements of the troops taking up positions along the route of the procession followed, 50. the crowds which had been attracted by the fine weather and the desire to witness the royal pageant did not lack enterfais1-S ment during the long wait The royal procession, consisting of six state car4 rlages escorted by Life Guards. lpSf Buckingham palace at 1:3O p m. Their maJesties were seated in the last car- riage, which was drawn by the eiahf Hanoverian horses which have figured III all the recent royal ceremonies. The king and queen reached the Vic toria tower through the Mall. tl1e Horse Guards and Whitehall. All tha officers of state, iIl varied uniforms. were assembled at the royal entrapce or the house of peers to recaive the King. The procession, which was identical with that of the previous si1n- liar ceremony, formed and, headed by the prrsuivants and heraIds, marched to the robing room, their maiesties being immediately preceded by the sword of state, carried by the Maruuis of Londonderry. After the robing the procession reformed and. with a blast of trumpets, advanced to the peers, chamber, the Duke of DevonShire. lord president of the council, preceding their majesties with the imperial crown. which he carried on a cushion. The king then seated, himself on the throne, the lords bearing the cup of maintenance and the sword of state standing oa1 the right and left The queen sat on the left of the king and the Prince of Wales on his right.
 The members of the house of con- mons were then summoned and son their arrival the lord high chancellor, Earl Halsbury, kneeling. handed tho king the speech, which bis majesty read from the steps of the throne as follows: HILL
 My Lords and Gentlemen My re-s lations with all the foreign covers cor- tinue friendly.
 'sEhe blockade of the Venezuelan ports has led to negotiations for the adjustment of all the matters In dis- pute. I rejoice that settlement has now been arrived at which has Justi- fled the b1ockading powers in bringing all hostile naval operations to an im- mediate close.
 Negotiations have taken place for an adjustment of the questions whicE have arisen ii regard to the boundary of my possessions in North America and that of the territory of Alaska A treaty providing for the reference of these questions to an arbitration tri- bunal has been signed and ratified.
 The speech next referred to the BaI- kan question, saying:
 9gThe condition of the European prOvS inces of Turkey gives cause for seri- ous anxiety. I have used my best ef- forts to impress on the sultan and his ministers the urgent need of practical well considered measures of reform.
 After noting that Austria and Rus sia have been considering the refOrmA which the signatOries of the treaty 0r Berlin should recommend to the sslk tan, the speech adds:
 1T trust that the proposals wiU prove sufficient for the purpose and that shall find it possible to give them my hearty support" s 2
 The king next mentioned the Alden Hinterland dispute and the S0maliland expedition and then turned to South Africa, on which subject he said
 .,The progress of events in South A rica has been satisfactory. The visit of the colonial secretary has already been productive of the happiest results and the opportunity it has provided for personal conferences with Lord Milner and the ministers of the self governing colonies and the representa- lives of all interests and opinions haA ggreatly conduced to a smooth adjust~ ment of many difficult questions and fd the removal of many occasions of gsis- understanding"
 After referring to the Kano Nigeriay expedition and the Indian durbar the king said:
 q am glad to be able to state that the latter imposing ceremony coincid- ed with the dfsapp of the drought and agricultural distress in western India and that the prospects for both agriculture and commerce. tbroughout my Indian empire are more encouraging and satisfactory than for some time past"
 The king and queen returned to Ruckingha1n palace at 3 o'clock. The crowds everywhere greeted their maj- esties with enthusiasm.