The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-02-09
KING GEORGE v
OPENS PARLIMEhT
Ceremony Conducted With splendor--
Session Is Sure to be Notable,
for the Lords Must Pass
on Veto Measure.

London. Feb. 6.-Amid all the tradi-
tional pomp and dignity OF past centu-
ries, King George V and Queen Mary
opened parliament today. No detail
that would add to the splendor OF the
occasion was omitted, and It was the
most important social and political
event preceding the coronation.
The royal couple, accompanied by
the young prince of Wales. were
driven from Buckingham palace to the
parliament buildings in the great state
coach of gold and glass, The six
magnificent chargers which drew the
royal vehicle presented brilliant
spectacle with their harnesses of gold
and silver, and gaily costumed foot
men walked on either side. On each
side of the coach marched yeoman
of the guard in his quaint uniform,
and mounted equerry
Preceding the coach were the SOW
ereign's life guards, and the rest of
the procession was made up of the
members of the royal household in
their carriages. The route of the
pageant was along the Mall from
Buckingham palace, across the horse
guards parade into White hall and so
on to the house of lords.
Here there was another procession
headed by the king and queen from
the robing room to the two thrones.
Preceding the royal couple we're three
dignitaries bearing the sword of state
the cap of maintenance and the
crown. The thrones where the royal
couple sat are two heavily carye4 oak
chairs, surmounted by crowns and
ornamented with gilt and crystals.
The feet rest on lions and more lions
are enamaled in blue on the backs
Of the chairs. Each chair is embroid
cred in silk with the designs of the
royal standard, and at the top of the
chair backs at each corner are the
lion and the unicorn. The king and
queen wore the royal robes of deep
crimson velvet lined and capped with
ermine.
Seated in the front benches were
the peers clad in their scarlet and err
mine. and Immediately behind them
the peeresses. The diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the various countries
also were present in their multi-col-
oied uniforms trimmed with gold and
lace.
Politically, the opening of the pres
ent parliament is a most important
event. 1t practically marks a new era
in British politics, as the house of
lords will be compelled to pass on the
famous veto bill. which will greatly
curtail their power
This veto measure was the direct
result of the lords failure to pass
Lloyd Georges famous budget in 1909,
which resulted In the dissolution of
parliament in January, 1910 The Lib
eral party was again returned to pow
err, and the lords were compelled to
swallow the budget In order to pre-
vent and such crisis in the future. a
measure was drawn up by the govern
ment leaders depriving the lords OF
any voice in financial measures.
Should the house of lords continue
to refuse to accept the veto resou-
tion. King George will be forced to
create a sufficient number Of liberal
peers to carry the measure through.
The king naturally dislikes to take
any such action, and he hopes that
the knowledge that he will be com
PEELED to swamp the hereditary cham
Der by new creations. if the peers re-
fuse to submit will be sufficient to
secure their submission.