The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-02
OPENING OF
PARLIAMENT.
King Edward Performs Duty
With Elaborate Ceremony.
Weather Conditions Dampened
Enthusiasm of Crowd.
UNDER UMBRELLAS.
Spectators Watched the Drench-
ed and Dripping Procession.
Illness Prevents Ambassador
ChOate from Attending.

London Feb. liking Edward opened
parliament today with all the cere-
monial that has been in vogue since his
ascension to the throne. None of the
familiar outdoor features was lacking
The weather conditions, however, were
too depressing to permit of much en-
thusiasm. Early in the day occurred
the time honored search of the vaults
of the house of parliament for conspira-
tors and later came the crowds under a
forest Of umbrellas, always eager for
anything in the way of pageantry, but
their ranks were thinned by the in
clement weather. In passage of the
royal pair along the troop lined route
from Buckingham palace to st. Ste
phen's, no novelty was introduced and
the effect was sadly marred by the
drenched appearance of the cortege.
Half a dozen state carriages with the
suites preceded the ornate coach of
state, drawn by eight cream colored
Hanoverians, and bearing the king and
queen. The procession was surrounded
by the usual retinue of equerries, out
riders, yeomen of the guard, exercising
their ancient right to be in close attend
ance on the sovereigns and an escort of
household cavalry.
The Prince and Princess OF Wales
had small procession of their own
from Marlborough house.
After entering the house of lords by
the royal gate beneath the Victoria
tower, their majesties were robed and
preceded by the state regalia, passed
in procession to the chamber where
the lords had assembled to hear the
kings speech. Many peeresses were
present and their feathers, Jewels and
| bright dress, with the vari- robes
| of the legislators of the upper house
and the brilliant diplomatic uniforms,
combined to make an effective scene.
Ambassador Choate was confined to
his room by a slight cold and was un-
able to attend, so the United States
embassy was represented by Secretary
/ White and Second Secretary Carter
/ On the arrival of the members of the
house of commons King Edward read
the speech from the throne
Touching on the Alaska decision the
kings speech said that on some points
the verdict was favorable to the Brit
/ ish claims and on others it had been
adverse. Much this last circum-
stance was to be deplored, it must
nevertheless be matter for congrat-
ulation that the misunderstanding in
which the ancient boundary treaties
made in ignorance of geographical facts
are so fertile, have in this case been
| finally removed.
The crisis in the far east is touched
upon briefly, in the kings speech as
| follows:
"I have watched with concern the
course of the negotiations between the
governments of Russia and Japan in
regard to their respective interests in
! China and Korea and a disturbance of
the peace in those regions could not
but have deplorable consequences. Any
assistance which my government can
usefully render towards the promotion
of a pacific solution will be gladly af-
forded."
Another point of interest to the
United States was reference to cotton
as follows:
1.-The insuff1ciency of the supply of
raw material, upon which the great cot
ton industry of this country depends
has inspired me with deep concern. I
trust the efforts being made in various
parts of my empire to increase the area
/ of cultivation may be attended with a
large measure of success"
The speech makes the usual reference
to the satisfactory character of foreign
relations touching upon the conclusion
Of Anglo-French arbitration agreement
as being a happy illustration of the
/ friendly feelings of the two countries
/ and refers to the Somaliland expedi-
ton and the Macedonian reforms ex-
pressing the hope that the practical
| measures for the amelioration, so sore
| " needed, of these unhappy regions
| will be carried out during the present
/ respite in the disturbances.