Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-14
Today's Telegraphic News
Onening OF Parliament.

London, Feb. 14.-Parliamento opened
today. There was unusual interest
manifested in the opening, which was
attended by the usual early scramble for
seats. The question of the stand or fall
OF the present ministry is the live one at
the present moment. While it is not
thought the governments defeat is
imminent, the present session will prob
ably be its last. The opposition and
the Irish members threaten the livelies
tactics and will do their utmost to over
throw the BaliOur party.
King Edward arrived at the House OF
Lords at two O'Clock. The scene in the
House was most brilliant one, with
peers and peeresses arrayed 10 waiting
for the king, clad in mest gorgeous cos
tunes, with the brilliant colorings OF
the robes set of by the ermine trimmings.
The usual procedure of welcome to the
sovereign was gone through with.
The king began his speech at 1880
O'Clock. He began with the statement
that the relations between Great Britain
and the foreign powers continued friendly
and expressed particular pleasure at the
visit of the king and queen of Portugal
last autumn.
Regarding the war 10 the far East the
king said /: THE war which has been
progressing since February last between
Russia and Japan unhappily continues.
My government has been careful to OBJ
serve, in the strictest manner, the obi
cations incumbent upon neutral
power" ''The condition of affairs in
the Balkan peninsula" he continued,
continues TO give cause for anxiety. A
measure adopted at the instance of the
Austre Hungarian and Russian govern
ments have been instrumental in bring
ing about some amelioration in the state
OF the disturbed districts. Progress has
been notably made in the reorganization
of the gendarmerie 10 which officers VI
my army have contributed valuable as
sistance.. These measures have still to be
supplemented by radical reforms, espec
tally in the financial system, before any
permanent improvement can be effected
in the administration of these provinces
of the Turkish empire. note with
satisfaction that the Austro Hun.
gariau and Russian governments have
lately addressed to the porte proposals
FOR this purpose. Ny government is in
communication with those ofother powers
mainly concerned in this important SUBJ
ject."
His Majesty referred to the ratification
OF the Anglo French convention which
he believed would operate advantageous
ly to strengthen the tpendliness of 10th.
he also referred to the arbitration agree
ments with Sweden and Norway, Portu-
gal and Switzerland. Turning to the
Dogger Bank affair and the negotiations
which followed that event, the king con-
tinusd "My government asalso come
to agreement with Russia, under which
an international commission of inquiry
in conformity with The Hague conven
ton, has been formed. Their duty is to
investigate the circumstances Of the dis
aster to British vessels which resulted
from an action of the Russian feet 10 the
North Sea, aud to apportion the respon-
sibility for this deplorable incident.
Steps to be TAKEN" the King continued,
"to establish representative constitu-
ten in the Transyaal are receiving the
earnest consideration Of the government
and those administering the colony, end
will, | hope, result in substantial progress
towards the ultimate goal of complete
His Majesty referred 10 the difficulties
OF the Thibetan mission in concluding
the agreement at Lhassa. He announced
that the Chinese government had sent
to Calcutta to negotiate a
ofadhesion to the agreement
with the Thibetans.
His majesty also referred to the APP
pointment of commission TO settle the
church difficulty in Scotland and ex.
pressed the hope that this commission
would produce an efficient administra-
lions of the ecclesiastical funds and
promote peace.
Concluding, the king indicated bills
iealing with the redistribution of alien
immigration, with the unemployed,
With Scotch education, with workmen's
compensation, and with the establishment
If ministry Of commerce.
After concluding bis speech, the king
eturned to Buckingham Palace aleng
he same route taken in going to the
House of Lords.