The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-02-18
KING OPENS PARLIAMENT.
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF HIS
SPEECH.

Settlement and the Treaty Providing
for Determining Alaskan Boundary
Anxiety Concerning the Balkan situ-
ation-satisfactery Progress in South
AfrIea-An Irish Land Bill and her
Important Measures Promised.
London, Feb. liking Edward. ae-
companied by Queen Alexandra and
surrounded by the court and all the Of
f1cers of state, opened parliament this
afternoon with the usual formalities.
The kings speech follows:
My lords and gentlemen: My rela-
tions with all the foreign powers con-
tinue friendly.
''The blockade of the Venezuelan
ports has led to negotiations for the adj
justment of all the matters in dispute.
1 rejoice that a settlement has now
been arrived at which has justified the
blockading powers in bringing all hos
tile naval operations to an immediate
close.
Negotiations have taken place for an
adjustment of the questions which have
arisen in 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 arbitral tribunal has
hean sipned and ratified"
The speech next referred to the Balk-
an question: saying: 1.-The condition of
the European provinces of Turkey
gives cause for serious anxiety. I
have used my best efforts to impress
on the sultan and his ministers the ur-
gent need OF practical, well-considered
measures OF reform"
After noting that Austria and Russia
have been considering the reforms
which the signatories of the treaty Of
Berlin should recommend to the sultan,
the speech adds:
II trust that the proposals will prove
sufficient for the purpose, and that
shall find it possible to give them my
hearty support"
The king next mentioned the Alden
Hinterland dispute and the Somaliland
expedition, and then turned to South
Africa, on which subject he said:
THE progress of events in South At
RIGA has been satisfactory. The visit of
the Colonial secretary has already been
productive of the happiest of results,
and the opportunity 1t has provided for
personal conferences with Lord Miner
and the ministers of the elf-governing
colonies and the representatives. of all
interests and opinions has greatly con-
duced to smooth adjustment of many
difficult questions and to the removal
of many occasions of misunderstand-
ing
After referring to the Kano (Nigeria)
expedition and the Indian durbar, the
king said:
II am glad to be able to state that the
latter imposing ceremony conceded with
the disappearance of the drought and
agricultural distress In western India,
and that the prospects 70 both agricul-
ture and commerce throughout my IN
dian empire are more encouraging and
satisfactory than for some time past"
The speech concluded with an inti-
nation that the budget estimates of the
expenditure would Inevitably be large,
and with promising the Introduction of
bills dealing with the Irish land ques-
ton, London education, sugar bounties,
and the London docks.
In regard to the Irish measure the
king said: 1T will, trust, complete the
series of measures which have already
done much to substitute single owner
ship for the costly and unsatisfactory
conditions still attaching to the tenure
of AGRICULTURAL land over a large por-
ton Of Ireland"
The king laid special emphasis on the
words signed and ratified in the para
graph of his speech referring to the
Alaskan boundary, showing evident sat
isfaction at the fact that he was able to
make such an announcement.
The scene In the upper chamber was
very striking. On the Woolsack 'front.'
ing the throne were the lords, justices
and war lords in blue and red robes re-
spectively. To the right of the throne
was the space reserved for the diplo-
mats, among whom was Ambassador
Choate, who occupied a front seat. On
either side of the house the two front
benches were occupied by peers, in their
red robes slashed with ermine. Behind
them sat the peeresses, all in full court
Dress glittering with jewels and wear
ing their coronets. The side galleries
were slled with distinguished visitors
Tie rest OF the house was occupied by
the members of the house of commons.
The king and queen returned to
Buckingham palace at o'clock. The
crowds everywhere greeted them with
enthusiasm.