NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Session was opened on Tuesday with a Queen's Speech, or rather message, of unusual length, and evidently drawn with unusual care. The Ministry promise, as was
expected, measures to " mitigate " agricultural distress, further assistance to voluntary schools, improvement in the land laws of Ireland, and a number of domestic Bills of a less contentious kind ; but the important clauses of the Speech refer to foreign affairs. After a reference to the Siamese settlement, as intended to secure the independence of that kingdom, and to the delimitation of Afghanistan, the Queen proceeds to say that the Government of the United States " have expressed a wish to co-operate " in terminating our differences with Venezuela, and she has expressed her sympathy with that desire, and trusts that further negotiations will lead to a satisfactory settlement, —which is euphuistic but judicious and clever. Next is a reference to Armenia. The Sultan has sanctioned the reforms there asked for by Great Britain, Russia, and France (note the omissions), but her Majesty regrets that ' a fanatical outbreak" has led to "a series of massacres" which have roused the deepest indignation in this country.
(The Sultan, one sees, is not to be personally condemned.) Then we come to the Transvaal, where "a sudden incursion" resulted in a "deplorable collision." Ministers intervened to forbid this hostile action ; and the President of the Republic.
a' Ling in this matter with " wisdom and moderation," surrendered the prisoners for trial. His conduct and his assurances lead her Majesty to believe that he recognises the importance of redressing the legitimate grievances of "a majority of the persons now inhabiting the TransvaaL" Then there is a reference to Ashantee, and the blow which has fallen on the Royal House ; and the Speech glides easily to its most serious paragraph :—" The extension and improve- ment of the naval defences of the Empire is the most im- portant subject to which your attention can be directed.'
Everything, in short, is going well, but we mast arm. As the people think so too, the Speech gives satisfaction, all the more perhaps from the lofty decorum which refuses even to perceive any signs of external hostility. Rome sees no enemies, but summons her legions as a means of keeping the peace.
