Evening journal., 1910-02-21
KING OPENS
PARLIAMENT
Big Gathering Of Nobility As
the Speech From the
Throne is Read
SCORES OF RICHLY GOWNED
PEERESSES PRESENT

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
LONDON. Feb. 2i-The third Parlia-
ment OF King Edwards reign. which
informally assembled on last Tuesday.
was "opened in State" this afternoon
at o'clock. Added TO the usual
brilliancy of the occasion was a feel
ing of suppressed excitement, due 20
the momentous problems that confront
the new Parliament, in the handling of
which the utmost diplomacy will be
required to prevent a speedy dissolu-
ton and another general election.
Great Gathering of Nobility.
Such a gathering Of noblemen as
greeted the King when he entered the
House of Lords. will probably never
be sean again, as by the time another
Parliament meets, the great majority
Of those present to-day will most likely
have ceased to possess any Legislative
power. So far as looks went, the as
scmblage could scarcely have been
more imposing. The peers were re-
splendent in their scarlet and white
robes. The judges or 'law lords were
equally gorgerous in mantles of scarlet
and ermine or black and gold. The
bishops had discarded their more
| INQUEST DltEk StttlH Iohto WIN AaWh
sleeves for their ecclestical fun dress
of scarlet with long ermine capes.
Never were the scores of peeresses
present more richly gowned. The
! diplomatic corps glittered in the full
military uniforms of dozens of more or
| less important powers. the only eXcep-
/ tion being the American ambassador,
/ Whitelaw Reid, a solitary and notice
.faaar - a. n
/ American citizen. The Prince and
Princess Henry Of Prussia were also
among the spectators.
Everyone was settled down when a
hush announced the arrival of the
Prince and Princess of Wales. The
assembly rose to its feet as the couple
advanced a few PAGES, bowed and
mounted the steps of the dais to seats
on either side OF the throne.
At o'clock the pursuivants and
heralds. leading the royal procession
entered the door to the thrones right
All rose. Following the pursuivants
. and heralds came the officers of th'
royal household. Next came the Kini
and Queen. who bowed to the throne
p ascended the dais and took their seats
Uniform Of a Field Marshal.
His majesty wore a broad, flowing
robe and a long mantle OF ermine
which opened. disclosed the uniform o
a field marshal In his hand the Kinl
carried a field marshars plumed hat
: The Queen was dressed in black
against which the state jewels showr
brilliantly A long string of pearls
hung around her majesty's neck ant
she wore her famous coronet. A traiI
OF crimson velvet. borne by page
was draped from her shoulders.
AS soon as every one was reseatet
b the Lord Great Chamberlain sent Blacl
J Rod, Admiral Sir Henry Stephenson
e to summon the Commons TO hear tn
1 Kings speech. While he was gonl
% the great officers of state groupe'
5 themselves around the throne. Th
. Lord Chancellor in his long. gray vii
0 and barons robes, stood behind tn
Prince of Wales. At his side was tn
q Marquis OF Winchester, bearing tn
& 'cap of maintenance"
The Earl Of Crewe. carrying imperia
: crown on a velvet cushion, stood neal
King Reads His Speech.
The Commons, with the Speaker a
: their head. soon appeared at the othe
end of the chamber. Then the Lor
Chancellor stepped forward. and kneel
ing before the throne. handed to tn
= King a printed copy Of the roya
speech. nominally prepared by the Kin
himself. but really the work Of hi
ministers. The King Immediately be
gan the reading Of the document.
The speech concluded, the King arose
gave his hand to the Queen and dc
scended the steps of the throne. Fol
lowed by the Prince and Princess @
Wales. they marched out, the Speake
and Commons. and returning stimuli
taneously by another exit.
n Parliament, which has been actual
# transacting business since the middl
y Of February. was now formally open
= ed. and in both Houses the debate o
the address to be presented TO th
v King in reply to his speech was i'm
T. mediately begun and still continues.