Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-12
KING THANKS AMERICA
Edward VII Appreciates Aid
Rendered at Kingston.
HIS SPEECH FROM THRONE
Special Reference to Part Taken by
Admiral Davis.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENS
Guarded Reference to Differences Be-
tween the Two Houses-Scenes Of
Splendor Attend Ceremonies.


sion Of the second parliament of the pres
ent reign, which promises to be full of
interest and Importance as a consequence
of the projected liberal attack on the house
of lords and the introduction of an INSTALL
by King Edward this afternoon with all
the imposing ceremony which has attended
these functions since his accession.
The king and queen, in the historic golden
coach, participated in the usual state pro-
cession from Buckingham palace to the
house of lords. The route was lined by
troops, and despite the drizzling rain and
cold weather considerable crowds occupied
all the points of vantage, and gave their
majesties hearty reception. The great
officers of state awaited the king at the
Victoria tower entrance to the house of
lords when the rObing room was reached.
The king, having donned the royal robes
over his field marshals uniform, pro-
cession was formed, and amid fanfares of
trumpets it slowly traversed the royal gal
lery and the princes chamber, thence en-
tering the upper house, which was Brilliant
ly lit up by countless electroliers.
Rose to Greet Sovereign.
AS the heralds, pursuivants and other
old-time garb entered the house. the men,
bers and the people in the galleries rose
to greet the sovereigns
The house was filed to its capacity and
the assemblage of members of the royal
family, of peers robed in scarlet and ermine,
and peeresses respondent in court dresses,
state robes and magnificent jewels, foreign
diplomatists, among whom were Ambassa-
dor Whitelaw Reid and Secretary Carter;
church dignitaries, judges and officers of
the navy and army. all in gala uniform or
clad in the vari-colored robes Of their Of
flee. facing the king and queen, who were
seated on their thrones. combined to form
a scene which was medieval in its pic
turesQueness.
Arranged on the steps of the throne, on
either side of the kind. stood the Earl Of
Crewe lord president of the council, bearing
the imperial crown; the Earl of Darlington,
joint hereditary lord great chamberlain of
England, carrying the sword of state, and
the Marquis of Winchester, premier mar
quis of England, with the cap Of mainte-
nance in his hands. and all the other state
dignitaries.
The members of the house Of commons
having been summoned by the usher Of the
black rod to attend the house of lords. the
lord high chancellor, Lord Loreburn, kneel-
ing, handed the king the speech from the
throne. which his majesty read.
The document foreshadowed a full and
busy session devoted to Ireland, army re-
form and temperance, apart from the over
shadowing question of the house of lords.
Americas Help at Kingston.
After the usual reference to the good re-
lations prevailing between Great Britain
and the other powers the speech deplored
the loss of life and destruction of property
resulting from the earthquake at Kingston.
II have seen with satisfaction said the
king that the emergency has been met by
the governor and his officers with courage
and devotion, and by the people with self
control. The occasion has called forth many
proofs of practical good will from all
parts of my empire, and / recognize with
sincere gratitude the sympathy shown by
the people of the United States and the as
sistance promptly offered by tteir naval
authorities
A congratulatory reference to the visit to
India of the Ameer Of Afghanistan was fol-
lowed by the intimation that while guard
ing the unity of the executive power unm-
paired. some changes in the governmental
methods of India were under consideration,
bringing them more in accordance with the
Then came a guarded reference to the
question uppermost in the minds of his
majcsty's hearers. 1t was addressed to
both my lords" and the gentlemen Of
the house of commons.
House of Lords Problem.
Serious questions said the king, "af-
fecting the working of our parliamentary
system have arisen from the unfortunate
differences between the houses. My minis
tiers have this important subject under con-
sideration with the view of a solution OF
the difficulty"
The rest of the speech was devoted to the
proposed licensing bill, the object of which
is to diminish the drink evils; proposals for
the improvement of the army organization
and Irish local government and education
questions. and number of minor meas
ures. including the establishment of a court
of criminal appeal.
On the Irish question the king said:
Your attention will be called to meas
ures for further associating the people of
Ireland with the management of their do
nestle affairs and otherwise improving
their system of government in it's admnis-
trative and financial aspects. Proposals
will also be submitted to you for effecting
q reform of university education in Ireland,
by which. trust, that the difficulties which
have so long retarded higher education in
that country may be removed"
Among the domestic legislation foreslrad-
owed in the speech from the throne was "a
bill enabling women to serve on local bod
les evidently intend as u sop to the
woman suffragists.
The house of commons assembled form
ally for a brief period after the reading OF
the speech from the throne and then ad-
journed until PM, when the debate on
al q apph t,-i1l
mence.
New Craft for Potomac Service.
Dean & Son, shpbuilders at Alexandria.
have had plans prepared for a new tug
hnn hn will hrrill Il,