Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-15
PARLIAMENT IS NOW OPEN
General Impression that BalfOur Ministry
Will Survive the Session.
LIBERALS FAIL TO AGREE UPON LEADER
Great Crowds Gather to See Cere-
monies Connected with Open
ing Houses and Pro-
cession of King.


cession of King.
LONDON, Feb 1.-THE first days pro-
cceding in Parliament left rather a decided
impression in the Hobbies that the govern
ment will manage to hold out uptil the end
of the session. The governments legisla-
tive program, which is devoted in the main
to social reforms will be fairly popular
whilst the avoidance of difficult questions
like that of the redistribution of seats and
Premier Balfour's frmness in thrusting
aside the fiscal problem all will tend in the
same direction. On the other hand, the
liberals appear to be as distant as ever
from any approach to unanimity on the
veXed question OF the leadership. Sir Henry
Campbell-Bannerman Earl Spencer Her
bert Henry Asquith and Sir Henry Hartley
Fowler all are spoken of as possible lead
ers of the next liberal ministry, to say
nothing of Lord Rosebery's even-superior
claim to that position, should he be inclined
to exert his undoubted influence. Every
thing will depend upon Mr.. Balfour's sue
cess in holding his followers together and
overcoming the apathy born of the knowl-
edge that the whole country is looking for
and expecting a general election.
Irish Opposition Active.
The position of Sir Anthony MacDonnell,
under secretary for Ireland in the unionist
counsels threatens to bring a storm about
the governments head. MacDonnell Is
credited with being responsible for Secre-
tary Wyndham's more liberal policy to-
ward Ireland, and is accordingly hated by
the Ulster section of the Irish unionlsts,
who, led by Sir Edward Carson are doing
their utmost to overthrow him.
At a meeting of Irish unionists today a
resolution was adopted openly censuring
Mr. wyndham for "abdicating his posi-
tion and responsibility in favor of a subor-
dinate official. with policy of his own, di-
rected to destroying the basis of Irish
unionisrn," and protesting against the gov
ernment permitting such an abuse of power.
1t is understood that Premier Balfour
hitherto has supported Secretary Wyndham
and MacDonnell, but the matter appears to
he assuming a serious phase, involving the
detection of many Irish unionists.
Kings Speech Commonplace.
The sixth session of the first Parliament
of his reign was opened by King Edward
with all the historic pageantry which has
marked the ceremony since his accession
The sovereign himself read the speech from
the throne to the assembled lords and COM
mons in the upper Chamber. The document
was commonplace. The only reference to
the Russo-Japanese war which the king
said ''unhappily continues" was to an
nounce that my government has been
careful to observe in the strictest manner
the obligations incumbent upon a neutral
power" -.-..,.
The lengthiest paragraph, devoted to the
Balkans, 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 ameliora-
ton in the state of the disturbed district
but these measures have still to be sup
plemented by radical reforms, especially
of the financial system, before any perma-
nent improvements can be effected In the
administration of these provinces of the
Turkish empire"
The speech noted with satisfaction that
the Austro- Russian governments had ad-
dressed to the porte proposals for this
purpose, and added that the British gov
ernment was in communication with the
powers concerned upon this important sub
ject.
Refers to DOgger Bank Incident.
Congratulatory references were made to
the visit of the king and queen of Portugal
to England, to the ratification of the
Anglo French convention and to the arbi-
tration agreements with Sweden and Nor
way, Portugal and Switzerland.
The speech also mentioned the interna-
tional commission. entrusted with the in
vestigation of the circumstances connected
with the disaster to British trawlers which
resulted from the action of the Russian
fleet in the North sea and of apportioning
the responsibility for this deplorable incl
dent"
The king expressed the hope that the
steps to establish representative consti-
tuition for the Transvaal would result In
substantial progress toward the ultimate
goal of complete self-government.
The king referred to the Thibetan ex-
pedition. to the exchange of visits between
representatives of Lord Curzon of Kedles-
ton, the viceroy of India, and the ameer of
Afghanistan, to discuss questions affecting
the relations of the two governments, and
concluded with mentioning the proposals
for the redistribution of parliamentary
seats to be laid before the Commons, the
alien bill to be introduced and the legis-
lation dealing with the unemployed, besides
other unimportant domestic legislation.
Good weather favored today's pageant,
which followed the procedure of former
occasions. Big crowds were about from an
early hour watching the assembling of the
troops, which lined the route from Buck
ingham palace to the House of Lords. The
usual interest was shown in the time-hon-
ored search of the vaults beneath the
houses of Parliament by the yeoman OF
the guard with their lanterns and halberds.
Between this ceremony and the appear
ance of the royal professions constant
stream of carriages. containing peers and
peeresses in their robes Of state and OFF,
cials in brilliant uniforms, enlivened the
somewhat tedious wait.
Procession In Interesting.
The royal professions were the same as
last year. that of the prince and princess
of Wales from Marlborough house con-
sisting of three carriages with an escore
of household cavalry, preceded by few
minutes the cortege of the king and queen
from Buckingham palace. Five state car
riages, each with six horses. bearing state
officials preceded the royal coach with the
sovereigns drawn by the eight cream
colored Hungarians which have figured In
all the state professions of recent years.
Household cavalry acted a bodyguard
while in pursuance OF their privilege a
detachment of yeomen Of the guard
marched alongside the state coach
The scene in the neighborhood of Buck
ingham palace was particularly animated
Large crowds selected this point whence
nd xrba he