The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-21

Toxic, March 20-With stately cere-
mony the special session of Parlia-
ment convened to provide the money
needed to wage the war against Rus
sia, was opened this morning. The
Emperor, clad in the uniform of a
generalissimo, rode in the great state
coach from the palace to the Parlia-
address to the peers and commoners.
For the first time the Crown Prince
attended the ceremony.
The Emperor's escort consisted of
two troops of lancers. Lines of police
and gendarmes kept the streets clear
and walled back the populace, which
received its ruler in absolute silence
the highest mark of respect.
Long before the Emperor reached
the peers chamber, the members were
in their places. The peers, all uni
formd. occupied the right side of the
chamber, and the commoners, all in
evening dress filled the left. The
seats, which occupy rising tiers, had
been removed, and the members stood
in semi circles, with the presidents
and vice presidents of each house in
advance of each main group.
The members of the cabinet, headed
by Premier Katsura, occupied a posi-
tion on the right platform, close to the
throne.
The diplomatic gallery was filled,
nearly every legation and staff being
present. Sir Claude Macdonald, the
British minister, Gen. Hamilton and
Col. Hume represented Great Britain.
Minister Griscom, Col Wood, Com
mander Marsh and Secretaries Fergu-
son and Laughlin of the United States
legation, were also officially present.
The other galleries were filled with
Japanese civil officials and military
and naval officers. No women were
present.
When the Emperor entered the men,
bers of Parliament bowed low. The
Emperor, advancing to the front of the
platform, bowed to them and imme-
diately ascended the throne. Premier
Katsura advanced to the throne and
handed the address to the Emperor
The latter read it in a voice low but
firm, which carried to every corner of
the chamber. Following is the speech
from the throne:
Address of the MikadO.
1--WE hereby open the imperial Diet
and address each and all the mem
bers of the House of Peers and the
House of Representatives. We an
nounce with high satisfaction that our
relations with the treaty Powers are
steadily growing in cordiality and un-
derstanding, prompted by an earnest
desire to maintain a permanent peace
in the extreme East. Our government,
by our command entered into negotia-
tions with Russia, but we regret that,
owing to an absence of sincerity on
the part of Russia in her peaceful
professions, we have been compelled to
appeal to arms, and having taken that
step we cannot hesitate until the OBJ
Ject of the war is attained
Our forces, in the presence of un-
wonted hardships and privations, are
now displaying their steadfast loyalty
and valor, and we hope that all our
subjects will cooperate in perfect
unity for the enhancement of the glory
of the empire.
1--WE trust that you will in compli-
arce with our will fulfill the duty in
cumbent upon you and give cordial
consent to these budgets and bills
which are specially urgent in charac-
ter, and which we have ordered the
ministers of state to lay before you
The members remained with bowed
heads until the reading was concluded.
The president of the House of Peers
then ascended the platform, advanced
to the throne and received the ad-
dress from the Emperor. The EN-
peror then stepped to the front of the
platform, bowed, left the chamber and
returned to the palace
Response to the Emperor.
In view of the extraordinary reply
TO the throne passed at the opening
OF the last session In December, where
in the House of Representatives con-
demned the policy of the cabinet which
was declared 20 be incompatible with
the progress Of the empire and 10 be
temporlznG. the representatives to-day
appointed a committee to prepare a
response.
After a joint session, the committee
met and prepared and presented the
following:
We your maJesty's humble serv-
ants, Of the House Of representatives.,
respectfully express our gratitude for
your ma1esty's gracious action I'm OPEN
ing the imperial Diet ard for the
words addressed to as by your mai
esty
This empire has invariably endoav-
0red 20 maintain the peace IN the Far
EIRt bat Russia which lacks the Glu-