The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-21
JAP PARLIAlGENT OPENED.
Emperor Reads Hls Address to the

Emperor Reads His Address to the Legislhfora Toiio, March .20. with stately cere- monv. the special aHseipn Of Parilasnenl. ean1en k0 nzpxiae f'le 1aazs neAsed ta make war aBainst Ikue0Aas was Upelaed this morning.
 The Emperor. clad in the uniform of q general, 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 he read his appeal to his sub jects.
 The Emperor left the palace at 10;s0. accompanied by a group of imperial princes. aides and members of the impe- rial household. His escort consisted of two troops of lancers, one preceding and the other following. Following came the coaches carrying the Emperor, prince and stan.
 The brilliant coaches and pennants of red and white silk carried by each lancer made the imperial procession an attrac- tive spectacle. Lines of gendarmes kept the streets clear and walled back the popuIace which received it's ruler in ab- solute 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. filled the left. The seats. which occupied rising tiers. had been removed and the members stood In semi-circles with the Presidents and Vice-Presldents of each house in advance of each main group.
 The members of the Cabinet. headed by Premier Katsura, advanced in procession to the right platform close to the throne.
 The diplomatic galley was filled. nearly every legation and staff being present. Sir Claude Mcdonald, the British Minis ter; George Hamilton and Colonel Home represented Great Britain. Minister Gris- com, Colonel Wood. Commander Marsh and Secretaries Ferguson and Laughlln of the United States legation were also ofiicialIy present. The other galleries were filled with Japanese civil officers and military and naval officers. No women were present
 When the Emperor entered the mem bers bowed low. The Emperor. advanc- ing to the front of the platform, bowed to them. Premier Katsura advanced to the front and handed the address to the Emperor. The latter read 1t in a voice low hut firm. which carried to every cor ner in the chamber.
 Following is the speech from ths throne
 I've hereby open the imperial Parlia- ment and address the House of Peers ana the House of Representatives. We an- nounce with high satisfaction that our relations with the treaty powers are steadily growing in cordiality and under standing. Prompted bys an earnest desire to maintain paramount peace in the ex- treme East our government, by our com mand. entered into negotiations with Russia. but we regret that. owing to an absence of sincerity on the part of Rus sia in her peaceful profession. we have been compelled to appeal to arms, and having taken that step. we cannot hesi- tate until the object of the war Is at- tained.
 "our forces. in the presence of un- vvonted hardshlps and privations, are now displaying their steadfast loyalty and vaior. and we hope that all our subjects will cooperate in perfect unity for the enhancement of the glory of the Empire.
 'We trust that you will, in compliance with our will, fulfill the duty incumbent mon you and give cordial consent to those budgets and bills which are espe- cially urgent in connection with. the sit- nation. 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 assembled the platform, advanced to the throne and received the address of the Emperor The Emperor stepped to the front of the platform. bowed low, left the chamber and returned to the palace. Tn view of the extraordinary response |