The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-03
CURIOUS .|:| 0
SITUATION
Continued From First Page) FL
own defense from The lips. Of his son.
Many Jeers.

Many Jeers.
Austen CHAM erlan spoke haltingly
and under evident strain; yet. when he
referred to his father, It was always as
..thc member from West Birmingham.
Now and again Jeers greeted the young.
est member of the Cabinet. Wllereupon'
with unnnIstakable anger. his father
turned his glance In the direction OF the
offender; and occasionally joseph Cham
berlain cheered his son WITH an eiii
phatic, Hear! Hear
AS Austen Chamberlain neared the con-
clusfon of his defense OF the attitude OF
Premier Balfour and his father towards
the fiscal question, the Interruptions grew
more frequent and the Chancellor 81
the E1cheuucr clutchedtthe brass-bound
treasury box on which Gladstor, was so
fond of leaning and addressed his re-
marks almost soleT in the direction OF
his father
Tho House frankly expressed IT'S re-
lief when the speech was over and gen.
orally termed the proceeding as one OF
the most extraordinary personal sltua-
| tions that ever had occurred and me
sp,scl, as one of the weakest detenses
Of tho governments policy ever made,
On behalf OF Premier Balfnur, Austen
Cha mberlain Occurred the House OF Com
mons must first decide whether or not
1t desired any change at all In the tiscai
system, and until that point was settled
the opposition demand for details of Tho
governments fiscal reform plan could
not be granted,
Much Ceremonial,
King Edward opened Parliament with
t., 10 tn,
s,nce the accession to the throne. None
OF tho familiar outdoor features were
lacking. The weather conditions, how
ever. were too depressing TO permit of
much enthusiasm.
Touching on the Alaska decision. the
Kings speech said that on some points
the verdict was favorable to the British
clam7, and on the others It had been
adverse. Much MS this last circumstance
was to be dcplored. !, It was, nevertheless.
be q matter for congratulatton that the
MISUNDERSTANDING. In which ancient
boundary, treaties, made in ignorance OF.
geographical facts, are so fertii,, have
In this ca SO been finally removed from
the field of controversy.
The crisis In the Far East is touched
upon briefly IN the Kings speech. MS
follows;
~ have watched with concern the
course of the negotiations between the
governments OF japan and Russia IN re-
gard to their respective interests IN
China and Korea, and q disturbance OF
tie peace in those REGIONS could not
hut have deporable consequences.
ANY assistance which my government
can usefully lender towards tho promo
ton OF a pacific solution will be gladly
afforded" RAJ
Reference to Cotton,
Another point OF interest to the United
States was a reference TO cotton as fol-
loWs:t
',The inslifficiency Of the supply OF raw
material, upon which the great cotton
Industry OF this country depends, has
Inspired mo With deep concern, ] trust
the efforts being made In various paris
III my empire to increase the area OF
cultivation may be attended With q large
measure Of success.
After mentioning the political mission,
which with the concurrence Of the CHI
nese government has entered 'rhihetnn
territory In order to secure due obseryr
iance OF conventions" the speech con-
cIudes with the warming that although
the estimates have been framed witltt the
utmost desire for economy, the burden
imposed by. the necessities Of naval an.d
military defense Is ''undoubteily serlT
Foys.'' 10 suggestion Of legislation con
EcernIng ireland was contained IN the
Kings 5 81 e. y ;sll &