Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-07
KING OPENS PARLIAMENT
British Monarch Delivers Speech from
Throne in Person.
HOUSE OF LORDS IS THRONGED
Address n Colorlesr. Only Two Spe-
cific Propositions BeinB Made
aud These Arc Touched
Upon LIEhtIy.


LONDON. Feb. 6-kIng George and
Queen Mary. for the first time in their
reign. proceeded in state this afternoon
from buckingham palace to Westminster,
where his majesty read the speech for
mally opening Parliament from the throne
in the House Of Lords. During the cere-
monv the queen was seated at the side Of
the king.
Though the day was dark and chilly an
immense throng was gathered in St James
park and in Whitehall, where the gorgeous
procession passed other thousands sur
rounded the parliamentary building. Their
majesties rode in the gilded state coach
drawn by eight cream-colored horses ca
parisonod in gold and purple. The king
wore a field marshals uniform.
As the royal party passed the cheering
was unusually hearty. II was the first
opportunity the populace had had to ex-
press its qualification over the vindcation
Of King George in the recent libel suit
against Edward Myths.
House of Lords Packed.
The House OF Lords was packed when
the imperial procession entered from the
robing room at 2:30 o'clock.
number of peeresses had seats on the
floor with the peers. The bishops and
ambassadors with their wives occupied
seats at the left Of the throne. In the alb
sence Of American Ambassador Reid, who Is
having a holiday at nome, the United
States was represented by William Phil
lips secretary Of the embassy. Mrs. Phil
lips was with her husband.
The colonies for the first time were rep
resented by the colonial agents general
Lord Strathcona, high commissioner for
Canada was present in this capacity and
with him were the representatives from
Africa Australia and New Zealand. The
women wore mauve In half mourning.
Brief and CoIOrIess.
The kings speech from the throne was
brief and colorless. 1t opened with a
filiaI reference to the death of King Ed
ward The only references to foreign af-
fairs was mention of the fact that nego-
tiations had been opened with Japan for a
new commercial treaty and an alluslon to
the friction in Persia over the disturbance
Of British trade routes. A casual express
sion OF interest in the apr oachlng imperial
conference was made.
Only two proposed legislative measures
were mentioned specifically. Proposals"
said the ling, will be submitted without
delay for settling the elartlons between the
two houses or Pertinent with the object
of securing an effective, working constitu-
ton.
Legislation would also be had" his
majesty said, ito provide insurance against
sickness and unemployment"
In making the declaration OF faith, King
George used for the first time the amended
form adopted at the last session Of Parlia-
ment and which omits the traditional refer
ence to the Catholic church. which was
offensive to the adherents of that faith.
Government Takes No Hand.
! From the paucity of the legislative pro
/ posas. II is evident the government has
| determined to allow nothing beyond neces.
| sary financial measures to interfere with
action on the veto bill. The suffragettes
are already threatening a renewal of then
activities because they were not men.
| toned in the speech. ..
That the natonalists are satisfied witt
! their position was indicated, when at &
meeting held late in the day it was de
cided not to adopt any private bills during
the present session.