The Topeka state journal., 1908-01-29
IN SAME OLD WAY.
King Edward Opens Parliament With
Customary Ceremonies.

London, Jan. 29.-The most rare event
of the London winter, a clear and sunny
day, favored the royal procession to
Westminster today, where King Ed
ward opened parliament with the same
ceremonies that have been observed for
centuries.
King Edward and Queen Alexandra
rode from Buckingham palace to the
houses Of parliament in a gilded coach
of state drawn by eight white horses.
They were attended by the officials
of their households in other state car
riages and on horseback. ST. James
park and Whitehall were unusually
crowded and the soldiers who guarded
the way had their hands full in keeping
the people back.
thousand officials including peers,
members Of the house of commons,
bishops, judges and diplomats, many OF
them attired in uniform or robes Of
state, filled the chamber of the lords
when a fanfare of trumpets at 2 o'clock
announced the entry of the state pro-
ceSsiOn-
King Edward read the speech from
the throne. Queen Alexandra was seat
ed on a chair of state at his right, the
Prince and Princess of Wales were on
his left, and he was surrounded by a
group of state officers.
The menace of an outbreak on the
part of the women suffragists OF Eng
land gave an unusual interest to the
formal proceedings of today While 1t
was not anticipated that the agttatOrS
would disturb the king, they threatened
to make things interesting for members
of the house of parliament, particular
ly if there was no mention of suffrage
in the speech from the throne Great
er precautions could not have been Ia
ken if an anarchist uprising had been
feared The only ladies admitted to
the galleries of parliament were those
whom members vouched for in writing
as their wives or relatives and the po-
lice who were on duty around West
| minister and throughout the houses OF
parliament were instructed TO keep eS-
pecial watch over all women.
Premier Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
man. whose health is still feeble, was
| the only cabinet minister absent Wnen
King Edward ascended the throne.
His majesty in his speech referred In
| conventional words to the visit or the
| German emperor which he said could
not fail to confirm the friendly rela-
! tions existing between the powers, te
| the death of King Oscar of Sweden ano
| in conclusion of the Russian agreement
| Acting in the spirit of this agreement In
spite of the complications in Persia, the
| two governments had maintained
policy of peace. Continuing, the KING
said
| MY government have Joined with the
governments of France, Germany anC
Russia IN a Treaty 1OT lHC Pi CSOA NeHSAOA
| of the integrity of the kingdom OF Nor
way"
Referring to The Hague peace con-
ference the king said:
The various instruments annexed tt
the final act of that conference show
the progress that has been made and
| they are receiving the attentive consid-
Grafton of my government. One of the
most important of these instruments
| establishes the great principle of an in
ternational court of appeal in prize
| cases My government are considering
] the question Of inviting representa-
| tives of the leading maritime nations tt
| attend a conference In London mex
| autumn with a view of coming to al
| understanding on certain important
points of international law for the
| guidance of this court.
'EThe condition of the Christian and
| Mussulman ponulations in the Mace
| donian vilayets shows no improvement
| The bands of different nationalities con
| tinue to pursue a campaign of violence
| and the situation gives serious Gauss
for anxiety. The great powers of Eur
ope have agreed to present to the Turk
| ish government, a scheme for the i'm
| provement of the judiciary in that re
| gion and my government have mad
| further proposals to the sultan anf
also to the great powers for dealing
| effectually with the principal causes o
this disturbance"