The San Francisco call., 1904-02-03

dict was favorable to the British claims
and on others it had been adverse.
Much as this last circumstance was to
be deDlored it must nevertheless be
matter for congratulation that the mis-
understandings in which the ancient
boundary treaties, made in ignorance
OF geographical facts, are so fertile
have in this case been finally removed
from the field of controversy.
The crisis in the Far East is touched
upon briefly in the Kings speech, as
follows:
have watched with concern the,
course of the negotiations between the
governments ofb Russia and Japan in
regard to their respective interests efn,
China and Korea, and a disturbance
or the peace in those regions could not
but have deplorable consequences. Any
assistance which my Government can
usefully render toward the promotion
of pacific solution will be gladly af-
fOrded.'
Another point Of interest to the Unit
ed States was a reference to cotton, as
follows:
The insufficiency of the supply of
AN~' fi~~SNiAo Aol dPOn lllC great W.
ton Industry of this country depends
has Inspired me with deep concern.
trust the efforts being made in various
parts of my empire to increase the
area of cultivation may be attended
with large measure of success"
The speech makes the usual refer
ence to the satisfactory character of
foreign relations. touching upon the
conclusion of the Anglo-F French arbi-
tration agreement as being "a happy.
illustration of the friendly feelings Of
the two countries" and refers to the
Somaliland expedition and the Mace
donian reforms, expressing the hope
that the practical measures for the
amelioration. so sorely needed, of these
unhappy regions" will be carried out
during the present respite in the dis
turbances.
After mentioning the political mis-
sion which, with the concurrence of
the Chinese Government, has entered
the Thibetan territory in order to Sc
cure due observance of conventions,
saying that Chinese official had been
dispatched from Peking to meet the
mission, and expressing trust that an
arrangement would be reached to
peacefully remove the constant source
of friction, the speech closes with the
warning that, although the estimates
have been framed with the utmost de-
sire for economy. the burden imposed
by the necessities of naval and mill
tary defense is undoubtedly serious"
and mentions some of the. proposed do
mestic legislation, as already forecasted
in these dispatches.
No suggestion of legislation concern
ing Ireland was contained in the Kings
speech.
AT the conclusion of the ceremony
iil the House OF Lords the King and
Queen returnedoto the palace and the
members of the House of Commons
repaired to their own house and ad-
iourned at o'clock
When the House OF Commons as
sembled later for business the house
was crowded and there was great ami
nation, in striking contrast to the list
lessness generally characterizing the
opening of a session. Joseph Cham
berlain was warmly cheered by the
majority of the Conservatives as he
entered and took a seat below the
gangway. The other Parliamentary
leaders were accorded hearty recep-
tions by their followers.
The Secretary of State for Home
Affairs, Akers-Douglas, in the absence
of Premier BaIfour, temporarily as
sumed the duties of leader of ss1e
House.
The mover and seconder of the ad-
dress in reply to the speech from the
g..
the settlement of the Alaska dispute
and paid tribute to the manner in
which the award was received in Can
ada9
Lawrence Hardy, Conservative, who
moved the address, alluded to the
war that was threatening a vast area
Of the Far East" and said he would
trust the British Government to do
its utmost to maintain peace.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman,
the Liberal leader of ethe House, fol.e
lowed. After expressing regret at the
absence of the Premier, GSir Henry
said he desired to question the Gov
ernment regarding it's attitude on the
fiscal question and asked if 1t were
new government with a new policy.
The only way of dealing with the ex-
listing confusion, he added, was to ap-
peal to the sense of the electors of the
country. In conclusion, Sir Henry Sc
verely arraigned the Governments at
titude on the fiscal question and an
nounced that John Morley would in a
few days introduce a more compre-
hensive amendment involving the
whole situation.
Austen Chamberlain, the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer, replied. He de-
Tended the Government. whose fiscal
policy, he said. had been clearly to
stand by the Premier. All the Gov
ernment asked for was freedom to
negotiate, which would enable 1t to
preserve the open door and freedom
of trade.
The sitting was suspended at 1870
o'clock.
The House of Lords commenced the
business Of the session at 4 o'clock.
The galleries were we'll filed, among
those present being the Prince Of
ATrN1