Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-01
EMPEROR CHARLES SPEECH
 AT OPENING OF REICHSRA7
To Follow the Example of His IIIust-
 rious Predecessor.

Amsterdam, via London, May S1 SIS p. m.-In his speech from the throne at the opening of the reich srat at Vienna today, Emperor Charles. after affectionately recalling the memory of Emperor Francis Jo- seph, said:
 Summoned in a fatefuI time to di- rect the state, I from the beginning nave been conscious of the immense seriousness of the task Providence has laid on my shoulders I feel, however, within me the will and power Loyalty to discharge my duties as ruler, fol- lowing the example of my iIlustrious predecessor, and to do justice, with Gods help, to my sublime office
 The interests Of the state shall no longer be deprived of that effective. furtherance which jealous co-opera- tion of a popular assembly rightly comprehending its powers, judicious and conscientious, can provide. I have to- exercise your constitutional activ- ity, and I heartily welcome you to- day on the inauguration of your work
 To Exercise Right as Ruler.
 "In full conscientiousness of the constitutional duties taken over from my illustrious predecessor. a<l from my own deepest conviction I desire solemnly to declare to you my unal- terable will to exercise my right as
 
 tionaI spirit and to respect liberties according ho the tfundamental law and to preserve unabridged to the people that share in the formation of the states will which the prevailing constitution provides for.
 Tn the loyal cooperation of my people and it's representatives I see support for the success of my activ- ity and I think that the welfare of the state, whose glorious existence nj iT7 he Sfn r,P world war by the firm cohesion of its citizens, cannot, in times of peace, be more securely rooted than in the unassailable rights of a mature pa triotic and free people.
 Mindful of Obligations.
 Mindful of my obligation to the constitution and adhering to my in- tention expressed immediately on my accession to fulfill this obligation freely. I must at the same time keep in mind the principles of the funda- mental law which place in my hands alone the decisions to be taken at the great moment of the consolidation of peace I am, however, convinced that a happy development of our consti- tutional life after the unfruitfulness of the past years and after the excep- tional political conditions of war time apart from the solution of the Cali clan question, for which my illustri- ous predecessor has already indicated the way-is not possible without ex- banding the constitution and the ad- foundations of the whole of our public life, both in the state and in the separate kingdoms and countries. especially in Bonemta.
 Political Condition.
 T trust that recognition of your se-- rious responsibility for the formation of political conditions and your belief in the happy future of the empire, splendidly strengthened in this terri ble war, will give you, honorable gen tlemen, strength in union with me, speedily to create conditions giving scope to free national and cultural development of equally privileged peoples. From these considerations I decided to postpone taking the con- stitutional oath until the time, which