The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-14
ADDRESS Of KING
OPENS PARLIAMENT
Comments ON War in the
Far East.
SITUATION IN THE BALKANS
Brilliant Scene IN the House of Lords.
Peers and Peeresses Greet
Their Majesties.
eb. 14.-Parliament opened

LONDON, Feb. 14.-Parliament opened
today.
The King commenced his speech from
the throne at 2:20 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 au-
tGnn.
Regarding the war in the Far East the
King said:
1.-The war which has been progressing
since February last between Russia
and Japan. unhappily continues. My
government has been careful to observe
in the strietest manner. the obligations
incumbent upon neutral power.
Conditions in the Balkans.
1.-THE condition of affairs in the Bal
kan Peninsula" his majesty continued,
continues TO give cause for anxiety.
a measure adopted at the instance of
the Austro-Hungarian and Russian gov
ernments has been instrumental in
bringing about some amelioration in the
state of the disturbed districts.
Progress has been notably made in
the reorganization of the gendarmerie,
to which officers of my army have con-
iributed valuable assistance. Ihese
measures have stu TO be suppieinaentIte -
by radical reforms. especially IN the
financial SYSTEM before any permanent
improvements can be effected IN the
administration of these provinces OF the
Turkish Empire.
Aiming for Reforms.
Il note with satisfaction that the
Austro- Hungarian and Russian govern
ments have lately addressed to the
Porte proposals for this purpose My
government is in communication With
those of other powers mainly. concerned
in this important subject.
His ma esty referred to the ratiAea-
ton of the AngIo-Fre>lch convention,
which he believed would operate adj
vantageousIy to strengthen the friend
illness of both. He also referred TO the
arbitration agreements with sweden
Dogger Bank Affair.
Turning TO the Dogser Bank affair.
and the negotiations which followed
that event, the King continued
My government has also come te
agreement with Russia. under which
an International commission Of inquiry
in conformity with The Hague conveG1-
ton. has been formed Their duty is
to Investigate the circumstances of the
disaster to British tfawlers. which re-
suited from an action NJ the Russian
fleet in the North Sea and TO apportiof
the responsibility for this deploFable in
cidenI.F'
steps TO be taken, = the King con
tinued .sto establish a representative
constitution in he Transvaal are re
ceiviHg the earnest consideration OF
the government and those administer
ing the coo1ny and will. hope, result
in substantial progress toward the III
innate goal of complete SELF govern
n.ent-'
The Tihetan Mission
His ma iesty referred to the Difficult
ties OF the Tibetan mission in conelud
ing an agreement at Lassa- He an
nounced that the Chinese government
had sent commissioner 20 Calcutta Il
negotiate a convention OF adhesion Il
the agreement with the Tibetaas.
His ma jesty also referred TIC the ap
poitment of d commission to settle th'
church difficulties in Scotland and ex
pressed the hope that this. commission
would produce an efficient administra
ton OF the ecclesiastical funds and pro
mote peace
Concluding the King indicated bill:
dealing with the redistribution of aiieI
immigration with the unemployed, witt
Scotch education, with Workmen'S com
pensation and with the establishment o
house OF lords
The weather today is fine with IN
sky slightly overcast.
heavy ra:a during the night mad
the Mall damp and dirty, but a BIZ
spite the bad walking. III witness III
passage OF the soyereigns.
The route from the palace 10 tn
houses of parliament was lined wit
the Royal Artillery and Laneers wer
in line. while the ColdStIeam Guard
and Irish Guards formed the guard o
honor