The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-18
WITH GREAT POMP
KING EDWARD OPENED THE BRIT
ISH PARLIAMENT.
THEIR MAJESTIES AND OTHERS
WE'RE WONDERFULLY AND STRIk-
INGLY ALTERED.

SpeecI-In Regal Robes He stood
Upon the steps of the Throne and
Read the Paper-VenezueIan Stu
alton and the Alaska Boundary
Question DiscUssed-ROyaI Offices
Used with the sultan of Turkey.
London, Feb. fixing Edward. &C
companied by Queen Alexandra and
surrounded by the court and all the
officers of state, opened Pertinent this
afternoon.
Early in the morning the vaults of
the houses were searched, as usual, for
imaginary conspirators, by the yoemen
of the guard, carrying ancient lanterns
and useless halberds.
The King and Queen reached the Vic
toria tower through the Mall. All the
great officers of state, in uniforms,
were assembled at the royal entrance
of the House of Peers to receive the
King. The procession, which was iden-
teal with that of the previous similar
ceremony, formed and marched to the
robing room, their majesties being i'm
mediately preceded by the sword of
state, carried by the Marquis of Lon
donderry.
After the robing the procession re-
formed, 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 car
ried on a cushion. The King then
seated himself on the throne.
The members of the House of Com
mons were then summoned, and on
their arrival the lord high chancellor,
Earl Halsbury kneeling, handed the
King the speech, which His Majesty
read from the steps of the throne, as
follows:
The Speech of the King.
My Lords and Gentlemen-My rela-
tons with all the foreign Powers con-
tinue friendly.
The blockade of the Venezuelan
ports has led to negotiations for the
adjustment of the matters in dispute.
! rejoice that settlement has now
been arrived at which has justified
the blockading Powers in bringing all
hostile naval operations to an imme-
diate 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 been signed and ratified"
The speech next referred to the |
Balkan question, saying:
The condition of the European prov |
inces of Turkey gives cause for serl- |
Gus anxiety. l have used my best eff |
forts to impress on the Sultan and his |
ministers the urgent need of practical, |
we'll considered measures of reform.
Satisfactory in South Africa.
The King then turned to South At
RIGA, on which subject he said:
The progress of events in South !
Africa has been satisfactory. The |
visit of the colonial secretary has al
ready been productive of the happiest |
results and the opportunity it has |
provided for personal conferences with |
Lord Miner and the ministers of the |
elf-governing colonies and the repre- |
sentatves of all interests and opin
ions has greatly cOnduced to a smooth |
adjustment of many difficult questions |
and to the removal of many occasions |
of misunderstanding"
The speech concluded with an init
nation that the budget estimates of |
the expenditure would inevitably be
large and with promising the introduce |
ton Of bills dealing with the Irish land |
question, London education, sugar |
bounties and the London docks.
In regard to the Irish measure, the |
King said:
1T will, l trust. complete the series |
of measures which have already done |
much to substitute single ownership |
for the costly and unsatisfactory con- |
ditions still attaching OF the tenure of |
agricultural land over a large portion |
of Ireland
lie laid special emphasis on the |
words signed and ratified in the |
paragraphs of his speech referring to |
the Alaskan boundary. showing evil |
dent satisfaction at the fact that he |
was able to make such an announce |
ment.
The scene in the upper chamber was
very striking. On the woolsack 'front.' |
ing the throne were the lords, JUS
tees and war lords in blue and red
robes, respectively.
ChOate Had n Front Seat.
To the right of the throne was the
space reserved for the diplomats,
among whom was Ambassador Choate,
who occupied front seat.
On either side of the house the two
front benches were occupied by peers,
some of distinguished bearing and 9TH
ers of quaint appearance, and SEEM
ing altogether out of place in their red
robes, slashed with ermtne. Behind
them sat the peeresses, all in full court
dress, glittering with jewels and wear
ing their coronets, which sparkled with
every movement.
The side galleries were filled with
distinguished visitors, apparently from
all countries, including negro in uni
form. The rest of the house was &C.
cupied by the members of the House of
Commons.
Hand finland the King and Queen
entered and advanced to the steps OF
the throne, up which the King assisted
his consort. Both then turned and
faced the House. The King wore
scarlet field marshals uniform, and
was enveloped in voluminous mantle
Of purple velvet. By his side stood the
Queen, with a small diadem on her
head and the front of her robe of dark
velvet covered with diamonds. Over
her shoulders she wore her purple robe
of state.
When the high officers of the crown
had taken up their positions the King
seated himself and motioned to the
Queen, who took her place on the
throne at his side.
On the arrival of the members of the
house of Commons the King put on his
plumed field marshal's hat and read
the speech, every word of which was
audible tbrOuphOIIf he house