The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-23
THE JAP PARLIAMENT OPENED.
Special Session to Provide Funds
for the War.

{ TOXIC. March 2o.-With stately
ceremony the special session of Parlia-
F 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 q gen.
eralissimo, rode in the great State
coach from the palace to. the Parlia-
ment house and personally read his
address to the Peers and Commoners.
For the first time the Grown Prince
attended the. ceremony. The. Empe-
ror's escort consisted of two troops Of
Lancers. Lines of police and gendar-
mes 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
formed, 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.
anu VlCS UE6StQCAoS VI SoS3 AASA'S 49,
advance Of each. main group.
The mem berssof the Cabinet. head
led by Premier .Katsura, occupied
position on the right platform, close
to the throne;
I The diplomatic gallery was filed.
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 fill
ed with japanese civil oficia and
military and naval officers. No women
were present.
When the Emperor entered the MEM
bers of Parliament bowed low. The
Emperor, advancing to the front OF the
platform, bowed to them and imme-
diately ascended the throne. Premier
Kstsura advanced 60 the throne and
handed the address to the Emperor.
The latter read it i'll voice low, but
firm, which carried to every corner Of
the chamber. Following is the speech
from the throne
Eve hereby open the imperial Diet
and address each and all the members
of the House of Peers and the House
of Representative. We announce with
high satisfaction that our relations
with the treaty Powers are steadily
growing inscordialisy and understand
ing. Prompted By an earnest desire to
maintain permanent peace In the ex-
trenle East, our Government, 10y our
command, entered into negotiations
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 object Of the
war is attained.
ssOur forces, in the presence of un-
wonted hardships and priyations, 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.
Eve trust that you will. in compli-
ance with our will, fulfil the duty
incumbent upon you and give cordial
consent to- these budgets and bills,
which a,e1specially urgent in connec-
tion with the situation, and which we
have ordered the ministers Of State to
lay before you. y
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 platoon, bowed, left the chamber.
and returned to the palace.
In view Of the extraordinary reply
to the throne passed at the opening
OF the last session in December
wherein the House Of Representatives
condemned the policy of the Cabinet,
which was declared to be incompatible
with the progress of the Empire. and
to be temporizing, the Representa-
tives today appointed committee to
prepare reply.
After the joint session the committee
met and prepared and presented the
following:
1--WE, your Majesty's humble ser
wants, of the House of Representa-
tives, respectfully express our graft
tude for your Maiesty's gracious ac-
tion in opening the Imperial Diet,
and for the words addressed to US by
your Majesty.
"This Empire has invariably en-
deavored to maintain the peace in the
far east. bat Russia, which lacks the
sincerity to respect peace, has violat
ed it's treaty with China and it's re-
peated declarations to the Powers.
I've are extremely impressed with
the fact that your Majesty declared
war. The executive arms at the front
are repeatedly obtaining victories.
This is solely due to your Imperial
Majesty,s influence.
'It shall be our constant endeavor
to bring to the discharge OF our legis-
lative functions the utmost care and
circumspection. so that your Majesty's
august instructions may be obeyed
and the importnt trust reposed in Us
by the nation may be complied with.
with Profound respect and humili-
ty, the President Of the House of Re-
presentatives, Masahisa Matsuda, pre-