The San Francisco call., 1904-03-21
Mikado Opens a
Special Session
of the Diet.

TOXIC. March 20.-With stately GER
emony the special session of Parlia-
ment. convened to provide the money
needed to wage the war against Rus
sia, was opened this morning. The En-
peror, clad in the uniform of a gener
alissimo, rode in the great state coach
from the palace to the Parliament
House and personally read his address
to the Peers and Commoners. For the
first time, the Crown Prince attended
the ceremony. He followed his father
to an improvised throne in the Peers
hall and stood close by his right side
while the Emperor read his appeal to
his subjects.
The Emperor left the palace at 1880
o'clock, accompanied by a group of
imperial Princes, aids and members of
the imperial household. His escort con-
sisted of two troops of lancers. one
preceding the other. Following came
the coaches carrying the Emperor,
Princes and staff. The brilliant uni
forms, the splendid coaches and the
pennants of red ana white silk car
ried by each lancer made the imperial
procession an attractive picture. Lines
OF police and gendarmes kept the
streets clear and walled back the popu-
lace, which received it's ruler in abso-
lutte silence-the highest mark of re-
spect
Long before the Emperor reached the
Peers chamber the members were in
their places. The Peers, all uniformed
occupied the right side Of the chamber
and the Commoners, all in evening
dress, filed the left. The seats. which
occupy rising tiers, had been removed
and the members stood in semi circles
with the presidents and vice presidents
of each house in advance of each main
group.
The members of the Cabinet. headed
by Premier Katsura, occupied a posi-
tion on the right platform, close to the
throne. The diplomatic gallery was
filed, nearly every legation and staff
being present. Sir Claude Macdonald
the British Minister; General Hamil-
ton and Colonel Hume represented
Great Britain. Minister Griscom. Col
onel Wood, Commander Marsh and
Secretaries Ferguson and Laughlin of
the United States legation were Off
cially present.
The other galleries were filled with
Japanese civil officials and military
and naval officers. No women were
present.
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.
When the Emperor entered the MEM
bers of Parliament bowed low. The EN-
peror, advancing to the front Of the
platform. bowed to them and imme-
diately ascended the throne. Premier
Katsura advanced to the throne and
handed the address to the Emperor.
The latter read it in a voice low but
firm, which carried to every corner of
the chamber. 1t was as follows:
I'VE hereby open the Imperial Diet
and address each and all of the
members of the House of Peers and the
House of Representatives,. We an
nounce with high satisfaction that our
relations with the treaty powers are
steadily growing in cordiality and good
understanding. Prompted by an earn
est desire to maintain a permanent
peace in the extreme East, our Govern
ment, by our command, entered into
negotiations with Russia, but we re-
gret that owiong to an absence of sin
cerity on the part of Russia in her
peaceful professions we have been COM
PEELED to appeal to arms, and having
taken that step We cannot hesitate un-
til the object of the war is attained
"Our forces, in the presence of un-
wonted hardships and privations, 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.
1--WE trust that you will, in compi-
ance with our will, fulfill the duty In
cumbent upon you and give cordial con-
sent to those budgets and bills which
are especially urgent in connection with
the situation and which We have or
dered the Ministers of state to lay be-
fore you"
The members remained with bowed
heads until the reading was concluded.
The president of the House of Peers
then assembled the platform, advanced
to the throne and received the address
from the Emperor. The Emperor
stepped to the front of the platform,
bowed, left the chamber and returned
to the palace.
REPLY TO THE ADDRESS.
In view of the extraordinary reply
TO the throne passed at the opening
of the last session, in December,
wherein the House of Representative
condemned the policy of the Cabinet,
which was declared to be incompat-
ible with the progress of the empire
and to be temporizing. the House of
Representatives to-day appointed a
committee to prepare a response.
After the joint session the committee
met and prepared and presented the
following:
1--WE, your Majesty's humble servants
Of the House OF Representatives, re-
spectfully express our gratitude for
your Majesty'S gracious action in open