Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-15
KING EDWARD READS SPEECH
FROM THE THRONE
HISTORIC FORMS OBSERVED
It Is Believed That Either Govern
ment viii Be Defeated or That
Balfour viii Voluntarily
Order Dissolution
BY Associated Press.


of the first parliament of his reign was
opened this afternoon by King Edward
with all the historic pageantry which
has marked the ceremony since his ac-
cession. The sovereign himself read
the speech from the throne to the as
sembled lords and commons in the
upper chamber. The document was
commonplace.
The only reference to the Russian
Japanese war which the king said
"unhappily continues" was to an
nounce that my government has been
careful to observe in the strictest man
ner the obligations incumbent upon II
neutral power"
The paragraph devoted to the Bal
kans says the situation continues to
give cause for anxiety. The measures
adopted at the instance of the Austro-
Russian governments have been instru-
mental in bringing about some amelio-
ration in the state of the disturbed dis
tricts, but these measures have still
to be supplemented by radical reforms,
especially of the financial system, be-
fore any permanent improvements can
be effected i'm the administration of
these provinces of the Turkish empire"
The speech noted with satisfaction
that the Austro- Russian governments
had addressed to the porte proposals
for this purpose, and added that the
British government was in communi-
cation with the powers concerned upon
this important subject.
North Sea Incident
The speech also mentioned the in
ternational commission entrusted
with the investigation of the circum-
stances connected with the disaster to
British trawlers, which, resulted from
the action of the Russian fleet in the
North sea. and of apportioning the re-
sponsibility for this deplorable Incl
dent"
The king expressed the hope that the
steps to establish a representative con-
suit in substantial progress toward the
ultimate goal of complete self govern
me mt.
The king referred to the Tibetan eX-
petition, to the exchange of visits be-
tween representatives of Lord Curzon
Of Kedleston, the viceroy of India, and
the ameer of Afghanistan, to discus
sions affecting the relations of the two
governments, and concluded with men
tioning the proposals for the redistri-
button of parliamentary seats to be
laid before the commons. the alien bill
to be introduced and the legislation
dealing with the unemployed, besides
other important domestic legislation.
More than usual interest attaches to
Loday's opening of parliament, as the
belief is practically universal that it
will be the last session OF the present
Even should the govern
nent escape defeat, it is thought that
Premier Balfour win voluntarily dis
solve parliament in the autumn and
AXE the opinion of the country on the
iscal and other questions now agitat-
ng the electorate.
House of Commons Assemblies
The house of commons assembled for
business at O'clock. Joseph Chamber.
ain. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman. !
4. j. Balfour and other favorites were
warmly greeted by their respective |
supporters. The new members WAC
oolI the oath included Harry Marks
who succeeds the late James Low
her, whose death occurred September
. last nc ranrasantntiva of tho JaIn
# Thanet in the house of commonsI, !
,ut as he had not brought the Official
eturn of his election, Mr.. Marks had
o leave the house until he obtained 1t.
At the resumption of business in the
Iouse of lords Lord Chancellor Sails
Jury read the kings speech, and the
darquis of Winchester, Conservative,
moved the address in reply.
Mr.. Spencer, the Liberal leader, re-
erred to the war in the far east. He
aid it was the most earnest desire
f the people of Great Britain to see
he end of the conflict. and he trusted
is majesty's government would not
ose a fair and proper opportunity to
ring the conflict to a peaceful solu-
ion.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne eX-
ressed his SORROW and concern at the
of the war in the far east.
nd said that should an opportunity
or bringing it to close present itself,
ne government would avail itself
hereof with alacrity. but an attempt
t Intervention now would mean re-
riding the very object desired. Great
ritain had endeavored, not unsuc-
to maintain the strictest neu-
'ality.
Only Once Near War
Referring to the North sea incident, ,
ord Lansdowne said that once. and A,
lily once. were they near being drawn {
to the vortex of war. He need hard \
say II arose in connection with the '
orth sea incident, to which he only
ferred because he desired to ac- S
tCOntlnusd on Page Two.)