The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1904-03-25
THE JAP PARLIAMENT
Opened With Striking Ceremonies
Devise Means for earring on War.

Toxic Special stately cere
! llony the special session of parliamen
convened On Monday to provide tht
noney needed to wage the war agains
Russia, was opened this morning. The
emperor, clad In the uniform Of a gen.
oralisslmO, rode in the great state
coach from the palace to the parlia.
| ment house and personally read his adj.
dress TO the peers and comm onels. Fol
The first time the crown prince at
tended the ceremony. The emperors
escort consisted of two troops Of Ian
,ers. Lines Of police and gendarmes
kept the streets clear and walled back
the populace which received its ruler
IN absolute silence--tbe highest mark
Of respect
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-
djately assembled the throne. Premier
l{atsura advanced to The throne and
handed the address to the emperor
The latter read II in a voice low but
firm, which carried to every corner o!
the chamber.
The following is the Mikados speech
from the throne:
we hereby open the imperial diet
and address each and all the men,
hers of the house of peers and the
house OF representatives. We announce
with high satisfaction that our rela-
tons with the treaty powers are
steadily growing in cordially and
understanding. Prompted by an earnest
desire TO maintain a permanent peace
In the extreme east, our government
by our command, entered into .negotia-
tons with Russia, but we regret that,
owing to an absence Of sincerity on the
part Of Russia III her peaceful profess
sions, we have been compelled to ap-
peal to arms, and having taken that
step, we cannot hesitate until the OBJ
joct Of the war is attained.
Our forces. in the presence of un-
wonted hardships and privations, are
now displaying their steadfast loyalty
and vigor, and we hope that all our
:abjects will cooperate in perfect unity
FOR the enhancement Of the glory OF
the empire.
1--WE trust that You will in compli
ance with cur will DO the duty incum-
bent upon you and give cordial consent
to these budgets and bills which are
specially urgent in connection with the
situation 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 address
from the emperor. The emperor then
stepped 10 the front Of the platform,
bowed. left the chamber and returned
to the palace.
In view of the extraordinary reply
10 the throne passed at the opening OF
the last session in December, wherein
he house of representatives condemned
The policy Of the cabinet. which was
declared to be incompatible with the
of the empire and to be tem-
Dorizing, the representatives today ap-
pointed committee TO prepare a re-
sEonSe.
After the Joint session the commit
zee met and prepared and presented
he following:
I'VE, your majesty's humble ser
wants, of the house of representatives
respectfully express our gratitude for
,our majesty's gracious action in open
ng the imperial diet, and for the words
to us by your majesty.
This empire has invariably endeav-
,red to maintain the passage in the |
ar east but Russia. which lacks of !
he sincerity to respect peace. has VIC
ated it's treaty with China and it's re-
,eated declarations to the powers.
I'VE are extremely impressed with
he fact that your majesty has declared
var. The executive arms at the front
IRE repeatedly obtaining victories This
5 solely due to your imperial majesty I