CABLE NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 37, 12 February 1877, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

[Br Reuies's Soi __abine Cable.] ETJEOPEAN. OPENING OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. London, Feb. 8. Par-liament was opened to-day by the Queen iv person. The speech stated that the object throughout of the Conference pn the Eastern question was to maintain the peace of Europe, and to obtain the better government of the disturbed provinces of Turkey without infringing the independence and integrity of the Turkish EcoDire. Regret was expressed that tbe proposals" of the Conference had been rejected*, but the speech stated that the result of the Conference showed a general agreement between the 'Powers, which could not fail materially to affeci the condition of the government of Turkey. It was hoped that the armistice would lead to an honorable peace. Throughout, Great Britain had acted cordially with the Porte as well as with the other Powers with whom her relations were most friendly. The speech then referred to the Queen's assumption of the title of Empress of India, and also to the famine in India, and concluded by stating that the prosperity and progress of the Colonial Empire remained unchecked, and by expressing a hope that the measures taken would prevent any serious evil from the recent proceedings in the Transvaal Republic. In the course of the debate upon the address in reply, Earl Derby said that peace depended upon whether the Czar decided upon his obliging (?) to execute alone the decisions of tbe other six Powers. Earl Beaconsfield and the Marquis of Salisbury protested against coercing Turkey. Sir Stafford Northcote said that England wished to act in unison with the other Powers, and that in case of separate intervention Russia would be suspicious until peace negotiations had been suspended. February 9. Earl Granville urges unity of action between the European Powers with the view of coercing the Porte into acceptance of their proposals. The Duke of Argyle and Marquis of Hartington accused the Government of changing its policy. The latter said that Lord Salisbury deserved the thanks of his country for restoring the entente cordiale between England and Russia, and for having made Turkey understand her relation towards England and the other Powers under the Treaty of 1856,