The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-15
a GROWN, ROYAL ROBES.
AND \ DULL SPEECH.
Parliament Dreams Through Il DrOnC
OF Dry Facts With Which ii
is Familiar and Wakes
Up TO Find Itself
Sitting.
CBy the Associated Press.)

|
since his accession. The sovereign
himself read the speech from the
throne to the assembled lords and
commons in the upper chamber. The
document was commonplace. The
only reference to the Russo-Japanese
war was the announcement that "my
government has been careful to OBJ
serve in the strictest manner the OBJ
legations incumbent upon Il ncuthal
power
The lengthiest paragraph, devoted
to the Balkans, says the situation con-
tinues to give cause for anxiety. The
measures adopted at the instance of
the Austro- Russia governments have
been instrumental in bringing about
some amelioration III the state of the
disturbed districts, but" these meas
ures have still to be supplemented
by radical reforms especially Of the
financial system before any per-
manent improvements can be effect
ed in 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.
Congratulatory reference was
made to the visit of the King and
Queen of Portugal to England, To the
ratification of thee Anglo-French con-
vciition and TO the arbitration agree
mcnts with Sweden and Norway, Por-
tugal and Switzerland.
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
responsibility for this deplorable in
cident.'
The King expressed the hope that
tho steps to establish a representa-
tive constitution for the Transvaai
would result in substantial progress
towards the ultimate goal of com
plete self-government.
The King referred TO the Thibetan
expedition, TO the exchange of visits
between representatives Of Lord Cur
zon, of Kedleston, the viceroy of IN
dia. and the Amer of Afghanistan
to discuss questions affecting the re-
lations of the two governments and
concluded with mentioning the pro-
posals for the redistribution of Par
liamentary seats TO be laid before the
Commons. tho alien bin TO be intro
duccd ana the legislation dealing with
the unemployed, besides other unim
portant domestic legislation.
At the royal entrance beneath the
Victoria tower of the House Of Lords,
the King was received by the high
officers of state and passed in pro-
cession to the robng room. Thence
accompanied by the Queen. His Ma
jcsty repaired TO the House of Lords.
preceded by the crown and other
regala, carried by their hereditary
bearer. and by the heralds announce
ing the approach Of the sovcreigns.
The scene in the gilded chamber on
the arrival Of their majcstics was
most picturesque and brilliant HaV-
ing led the Queen to seat on his
left the King seated himself on the
throne and commanded the atten-
ton of the Sneaker and members OF
the House of Commons. On the ar
rival of the latter the King rose and
read the speech in a clear, firm
voice. The short ceremony then
ended. the King and Queen retired 10
the robing room, the procession was
Performed and their majesties re-
turned TO the palace by the same
In the House Of Lords.
At the resumption of business in
the House Of Lords. Lord Chancellor
Halsbury read the Kings speech anu
the Marquis of Winchester tConser-
vatiye) moved the address in reply.
Earl Spencer, the Liberal leader.
referred 10 the war in the Far Eass.
He said il was the most earnest de-
sire of the people of Great Britain to
secure the result of the conflict and
he trusted His Maiesty's government
would not lose a fair and proper OBJ
portumity To bring the conflict TO a
peaceful solution
Foreign Secretary LansdoWnc eX-
pressed his sorrow and concern ut the
continuance OF the war in the Far East
and said that should an opportunity
for bringing 1t to Il close present it
self the government would avail it.
self thereof with aIacrity but an at
tempt at intervention now would
mean retardiu~ the very object de-
sired, Speaking on the subject Of
Macedonia, Lord LansdoWnc saiu
there was Il concensus of opinioh
among the powers in favor of drastic
reforms and n scheme would be pro-
posed which he hoped would meet
with sympathetic criticism.
referring to the North Sea incident
Lord IanSdOWnG SalQ mat once ana
only once were they near being drawn
into the vortex Of war. He need hard
ly say that il arose in connection with
the North Sea incident.
The address was agreed to and the
House of Lords adjourned.
The House OF Commons.
In the House of Commons Sir Henry
Campbell Zimmerman. the Liberal
leader. assailed the government which
he said was cyading the fiscal qucs-
ton as shown by the failure Of the
mover and secondcr OF the address 10
mention this important subject. He
added that. the opposition woul0
shortly cndeavor TO secure a straight
answer from Mr.. Balfour showing
whether or not he WAS in agreement
With Joseph Chamberlain's PROPOSALS.
Sir Henry Campbell Banncrman
spoke at great length attacking the
governments policy in Thibct ana
South Africa and In fact ut All points
Replying to Sir Henry Campbell
BanncrmaUS assertion thai the gov
ernment Was too feeble to carry ont
an effective policy Premier Balfour
said he decision lay entirely with the
House of Commons whether il could
effectively carry out the mandate or