Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-20
Other Members Of Royal
Family Not Present.
No Surprises Contained IN
His Majesty's Speech.
Home Rule for ireland and
TransvaaI Is Suggested.

London, Feb. 19-The pointed refer
ence to Ireland contained in King Ed
wards speech to the houses of Parlia-
ment today, coupled with the an
nouncement of the determination to
grant constitutional government to
The Transvaal, brought these two
questions Immediately to the forefront
in the debates in the House Of Lords
and the House of Commons on the mo-
tons on the address in reply to the
speech from the throne. In the House
of Lords theTdebate was almost per-
functory except where Lord Ians-
downe. assuming his new role as leader
OF the opposition. pointed out certain
dangers connected with the proposed
changes and incidentally commented
on the Algeciras conference and the
situation in Macedonia. warning the
government Of possible difficulties aris-
ing in the Far East unless Great
Britain maintained Il firm attitude.
1t was in the House of Commons thar
the debate on the address became in
teresting when Joseph Chamberlain, in
the absence of Former Premier Bal
-FOUR, took the place Of the leader OF
the opposition and in a brilliant and
lengthy speech attacked the govern
ment on all points. and especially on
It's South African policy. He threw
down the gauntlet regarding home rule
for ireland. Regarding tariff reform.
MIR. Chamberlain promised to give the
government several bad quater hours.
Mr Chamberlain's speech undoubt-
ediy was the feature OF the first day
III the House Of Commons. The small
coterie Of Unionists took heart under
ms spirited leadership and his bril-
liant thrusts and sarcasm We're greet
Ell with the heartiest cheers. Even
some OF Mr.. Chamberlain's opponents
could not refrain from according him
the need of acclaim for his remarkable
attack
premier Campbell Bannermann's re-
ply was lengthy and PERFECTLY good
humofed. the speaker assuming that
ms position was one of such strength
tlat lie could afford to be generous.
The reference to Ireland in tho
Kings speech is received with mingled
Feelings and some degree of doubt. The
Nationalists are ,non-cOmmittal and de-
cine 70 accept as more than a POSSIBLE
lty this seeming step towards Home
rule.
John Redmond, who followed Pre-
mier aEnpbell-Bannerman at the night
session, boldly announced that the Ma
uonalists would not be satisfied with
anything short of complete self-goy-
ernnlcnt. On the other hand, some of
the les radical Irish members do not
hesit"te to say that the clause In the
kings speech means n modified form
OF home rule and intimate that Mr..
redmond would be satisfied with cuch
step, as 1t would surely guarantee
Homo ruie in the future.
III" Laborites profess themselves
wen pleased with the clauses in the
Kings speech and affecting their spe-
cial interests. They do not intend to
introduce an amendment. Indeed, 1t is
probable that there VIII be fewer
amendments offered than usual and
that the regular business of the ses-
sion VIII commence earlier than II did
in the previous Parliament.
London, Feb. fixing Edward
opened the second Parliament OF his
reign this afternoon with the CUSTOM
airy ceremonial The absence of Queen
Alexandra, the Prince and Princess OF
Wales and the Duke and Duchess of
-Cohnaught and the mourning into
which the court had been thrown by
the death of King Christian detracted
somewhat from the briiiiance of the
pageant. Otherwise the royal process
sion from buckingham palace to the
palace at Westminster and the pro-
Continued on Page Three.)