On Wednesday the King, accompanied by the Queen, opened the
new Session of Parliament in semi-state. The escort was formed, for the first time in the history of Parliament, by troops from allparte the Empire. The King, like his troops, wore Service dress. Having much of King Edward's elocution, His Majesty read his Speech with clearness and emphasis, so that every syllable could be plainly hoard. The Speech reminded Parliament that this was the third Session opened in the midst of war. The recent overtures of the enemy indicated "no possible basis of peace." The Empire and the Allies remained "steadfastly and unanimously resolved to secure the just demands for reparation and restitution in respect of the past, and guarantees for the future, which we regard as essential to the progress of civilization."
Previous page
