The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-03-04
KING OPENS PARLIAMENT
He ReJoices at Adjustment Of the
Venezuelan Dispute.
BRITISH MINISTRY CRITICISED

The Liberal Leader Says tho People Do
Not Like Ia Alliance With Germany
-Ailexianee 10 the Monroe Doctrins
Affirmed BY tie Government Leaders
Salient Points In Speech From Throne.
London.-After yeomen Of the guard,
bearing ancient lanterns and halberds.
had searched the vaults Of the house
to make sure that no conspirators
lurked therein. King Edward. who
was accompanied by the Queen. the
royal household and all the officers of
state. entered the House of Lords, and
just as his ancestors have done for
centuries. opened Parliament with the
customary speech from The Throne.
This ceremonial was followed by a
discussion Of the Kings speech In both
houses.
The speech was long and dull. being
chiefly a review Of events Of the past
year. Its salient points were az fol.
lows:
The blockade Of the Venezuelan
ports has led to negotiations for the
adjustment Of all the matters in dis.
pute. I rejoice that a settlement mas
now been arrived ut which has justi.
fed the blockaiins powers in bring
Ing all hostile naval operations to an
immediate close.
Negotiations have taken place for
nm 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 IN arbitral tribunal
has been signed and ratified.
The condition Of the European prov.
ipces Of Turkey gives cause for serious
anxiety. I have used my best efforts
to impress on the Sultan and his Min.
listers the urgent need Of practical,
wcli-considercd measures Of reform"
The King intimated that the budget
estimates Of the expenditure would
inevitably be large. and promised the
Introduction Of bills dealing with the
Irish land question. London education,
sugar bounties and the London docks.
In regard to the Irish measure he
said:
1T will, I trust. complete the series
Of measures which have already done
much to substitute single ownership
for the costly and unsatisfactory condi.
lions still attaching to the tenure Of
agricultural land over a large portion
Of Ireland"
In the discussion Of the speech In
the House Of Commons the Liberal
leader. Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man. said he desired information on
the subjects Of Venezuela and Mace
donia and on the great question Of the
settlement Of affairs In South Africa.
Sir Henry commented on the fact
that Germany was not mentioned In
the Kings speech In connection with
Venezuela. There were people In this
country. he continued. who were Of
the opinion that Great Britain should
not associate with Germany under any
circumstances. but he did not sylnpa.
thize with that view. although he adj
mitted there had been much abuse and
Islander OF this country in the German
press.
He was opposed to cooperation with
Germany In 4 matter like the Eene-
zuelan. Germany was strong. but
rough. Germany also was not favora-
bic to the Monroe Doctrine. II there
had ever been n case for arbitration the
Venezuelan affair was one. and il this
course had been adopted in the first
place n great precedent would have
been established toward the peaceful
settlement OF international questions.
Premier Balfour. in reply. defended
the action Of the Government toward
Venezuela. and contended that 1t was
impossible to lay the papers before
the House ut present. Broadly speak
Ing. concluded Mr.. Balfour. the nego-
tiations were carried out with the
greatest regard not only for the feel
ings Of the American people and
ernment but for the feelings OF Fene-
Zuela.
In the House Of Lords. the Duke Of
Devonshire. Lord President OF the
Council In behalf Of the Government.
said difficulties might still arise In
connection with Venezuela. as the lat.
ter at present apparently had no set
tied government. He trusted. how
ever that the result OF the reference
to arbitration would be satisfactory.
Great Britain accepted the Monroe
Doctrine unreservedly. but to have ab-
stained from enforcing claims which
she believed to be just and essential
to her honor would be to make the
Monroe Doctrine an object OF dislike