The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-17
MY LORDS, The KING
Edward Rex Opens Parliament With
a Pleasing Talk on Foreign
Affairs.
He Says He Has Been Urging Re-
form on His Good Friend
Abdul Hamid.

London, Feb. liking Edward, accom-
panied by Queen Alexandra, and sur
rounded by the court and all the officers
of state, 4 opened parliament this after
noon.
Early in the morning the vaults Of the
houses were searched as usual for mag
mary conspirators. The yeomen of the
guard carried ancient lanterns and use
less halberds.
The movements of the troops taking up
positions along the route Of the procession
followed so the crowds which had been
attracted by the fine weather and desire
to witness the royal pageant, did not lack
entertainment during the long wait. The
royal procession. consisting Of six state
carriages, escorted by life guards, left
Buckingham palace at 1880 p. m.
Their magesties were seated in the last
carriage which was drawn by the eight
Hanoverian horses which have figured in
all the recent royal ceremonies The king
and queen reached the Victoria tower
through the Mall, the Horse Guards and
Whitehall All the great officers Of state
In varied uniforms were assembled at the
royal entrance of the house of peers to
receive the king. The procession, which
was identical with the previous similar
ceremony. formed and headed by the
persuivants and heralds, marched to the
robing-room, their ma jesties being imme-
diately preceded by the sword Of state,
carried by the Marquis of Londonderry
After the robing the procession re-
formed, and, with blast Of trumpets,
advanced to the peers chamber, the Duke
of Devonshire, lord president Of the coun-
Gil. preceding their, maiesties with the
imperial crown, which he carried on a
cushion. The king then seated himself
on the throne, with the lords bearing the
cap of maintenance and the sword Of state
standing on his 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 commons
were then summoned and on their ar
rival the lord high chancellor Earl Harz-
bury. kneeling. handed the king the speech
which his majesty read from the steps Of
the throne, as follows
The Kings Speech.
my Lords and Gentlemen: My rela-
tions with all the foreign powers continue
friendly.
1.-The blockade of the Venezuelan ports
has led to negotiations for the adjustment
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 hostile operations to an
immediate close. @G
Negotiations have taken place for an
adjustment Of the questions which have
arisen in regard to the boundary OF my
possession in North America and that of
reference of these questions to an arbitral
tribunal has been signed and, ratified"
The Irish Land Question.
The speech concluded with intima-
ton that the budget estimates of the eX-
penditure would inevitably be large, and
with promising the introduction Of bills
dealing with the Irish land question, Lon
don education. sugar bounties and the
London docks. ~. =,
In regard to the Irish measure the king
said: Na
TT will, I trust. complete the series OF
measures which have already done much
to substitute single ownership for the
costly and unsatisfactory conditions still
attaching to the tenure of agricultural land
over a large portion of Ireland. "a
He laid special emphasis on the words
"signed and ratified in the paragraph OF
his speech referring to the Alask:. n bou1l-
Diary, showing evident satisfaction at the
fact that he was able to make such ar
announcement. .
The Balkan Question. =
The speech. next referred to the Balkan
question. saving: