. 25.551. 319

he London Gazette. by &ut|)oritg.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1886.

Buckingham Palace, January 21, 1886. confer with His Highness the Khedive, and to HIS day Her Majesty proceeded in state from report upon the measures required for securing Buckingham Palace to the House of Peers, the defence of Egypt and the stability and where she arrived soon after two o'clock ; and was efficiency of the Government in that country. received on alighting from Her state carriage, Greatly to my regret, 1 was compelled in the by the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President, the month of November to declare war against Lord Privy Seal, the Deputy Lord Great Cham- Theebaw, the King of Ava. Acts of hostility berlain (Lord Aveland), the Earl Marshal, Garter on his part against my subjects and the interests King of Arms, and Black Rod, and proceeded into of my Empire had, since his accession, been the House in the usual order:—The Crown wa* deliberate and continuous. These had necessitated borne by the Duke of Portland, the Sword of the withdrawal of my Representative from his State by-the Marquess of Salisbury, K.G., and Court ; and my demands for redress were the Cap of Maintenance by the Marquess of systematically evaded and disregarded. An Winchester. attempt to confiscate the property of my Her Majesty being seated on the Throne, and subjects trading under agreement in his dominions, the Great1 Officers of State and others standing in and a refusal to settle the dispute by arbitration, their respective places on the right and left, convinced me that the protection of British Black Rod was sent with a message from Her life and property, and the cessation of dangerous Majesty to the House of Commons, commanding anarchy in Upper Burmah, could only be effected their immediate attendance in the House of Peers. by force of arms. The gallantry of my European The Commons being come thither accordingly, and Indian Forces, under Lieutenant-General Sir Her Majesty was pleased to deliver to the Lord Harry Prendergast, rapidly brought the country Chancellor the following most gracious Speech to under my power; and I have decided that the both Houses of Parliament, which Her Majesty most certain method of insuring peace and order commanded - his Lordship to read, and which he in those regions is to be found in the permanent accordingly did : incorporation of the Kingdom of Ava with my Empire. Papers on this subject will be imme- My Lords and Gentlemen, diately laid before you. My relations with other Powers continue to be The time which has elapsed since I assumed of a friendly character. the direct Government of India makes it desirable The difference which existed, when I last that the operation of the Statutes by which that addressed you, between my Government and that change was effected should be carefully investi- of Russia, on the subject of the boundaries of gated. I commend this important matter to your, Afghanistan, has been satisfactorily adjusted. In earnest attention. pursuance of a Convention which will be laid A protracted negotiation respecting the rights before you, the English and Russian Commissioners, of the Republic of France on the coasts of New- with the full concurrence of my ally, the Amir of foundland, under the Treaty of Utrecht, has been Afghanistan, have been engaged in demarcating brought to a satisfactory conclusion by an Agree- the frontier of that country. I trust that their ment, which will be laid before ^you and before work, which is already far advanced, may tend the Legislature of Newfoundland as soon as it to secure the continuance of peace in Central assembles. An Agreement has also been marie Asia. with Spain, securing to this country all com- A rising in Eastern Roumelia has given ex- mercial rights granted to Germany in the Caroline pression to the desire of the inhabitants for a Islands. change in the political arrangements under which Your consent will be asked to legislative they were placed by the Treaty of Berlin. My measures rendered necessary by a Convention on object, in the negotiations which have followed, the subject of International Copyright to Avhich has been to bring them, according to their wish, I have agreed. under the rule of the Prince of Bulgaria, while maintaining unimpaired the essential rights of Gentlemen of the House of Commons, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan. The Estimates for the expenditure of the en- Under a Convention which has been concluded suing year, whi<*h have been framed with a due with the Ottoman Porte, Commissioners have been regard to efficiency and economy, will be sub- appointed on behalf of England and Turkey to mitted to you.