Office of the Historian

Mr. Newel to Mr. Day.

Legation of the United States,
The Hague, September 21, 1898.
No. 157.]

Sir: I have the honor to state that the 1898–99 session of the States-General was opened on the 20th of September, 1898, by Her Majesty the Queen, the two houses of Parliament being assembled for this purpose in the hall of the second chamber of the States-General.

The Queen, accompanied by the Queen Mother, and attended by a full suite and military escort, left the Palace at 1 o’clock for the chambers. The route thence was thronged with an eager yet respectful crowd assembled to witness the procession and do all honor to the sovereign.

The second chamber was occupied by the representatives of both chambers under the presidency of the chairman of the first chamber, the cabinet ministers, and the members of the councils of state. The galleries, affording accommodation for the diplomatic corps, the officials of the ministerial departments, the press, and the public, were all well filled.

Received at the entrance to the building by a committee selected from the assembled chambers, their majesties proceeded to the throne, erected on a dais immediately opposite to the president’s bench, whence from amidst her royal retinue Her Majesty the Queen pronounced the opening speech.

I inclose a duplicate copy of the speech in French text, together with a translation of the same.

Gratefully referring to the evidences of loyalty so lately shown on the occasion of Her Majesty’s inauguration, to the generally satisfactory condition of the country and the people, and to the very friendly relations existing with the foreign powers, Her Majesty expresses her [Page 516] especial appreciation of the proposals emanating from the Czar of Russia concerning the limiting of military equipments.

Further, the hope is confidently uttered that the result of operations in Atcheen indicates a permanent settlement of the troubles in that part of the dominions.

In the course of work planned for the session mention is made of the insurance of employees against accident; improvements in the educational laws; the protection of the young; improvement of dwellings; the prevention of overwork in factory and yards; a revision of the law affecting the sale of drinks; light railways; the removal of tolls from roads and waterways; the improvement of affairs in the colonies; and, finally, it is stated that the revision of the customs tariff is approaching its completion.

Her Majesty concludes by appealing to the chambers for their zeal and devotion, that their deliberations may prove of service to the fatherland, and invokes God’s blessing on their labors.

Hereupon their majesties left the chamber to return to the palace in the same manner they had come. In the chamber and en route thence and back Her Majesty’s subjects evinced every mark of their heart-felt and sincere devotion to their youthful Queen.

Immediately after the withdrawal of their majesties the chambers adjourned, to meet again in their respective chambers after a brief interval.

I have, etc.,

Stanford Newel.
[Inclosure in No. 157—Translation.]

Speech from the Throne.

Gentlemen: But a few days have passed since the grand moment at which, subsequent to my assumption of the sovereignty in your midst, I took the oath and received your homage. The proofs of patriotism and attachment to my house were very numerous. The recollection thereof is indelibly impressed upon my mind.

The commencement of the session now calls you to the renewal of your ordinary labors. May they, under God’s blessing, tend to the welfare of the Kingdom.

The condition of the country and the people is in many respects satisfactory.

Our relations with the foreign powers remain very friendly. It is with especial pleasure that I received from His Majesty the Czar of Russia his proposition respecting a conference in which the delegates of all the powers shall treat of the limiting of military equipments.

In Atjeh the results obtained are such as to justify the hope that a permanent improvement of affairs in that country has been brought about. All honor is due to the Dutch Indian army and fleet for the management, perseverance, and heroism displayed.

The task that awaits you is once more an important and comprehensive one. On all sides questions of great social significance come to the fore, the solution of which devolves upon the legislature.

Proposals affecting the assurance of the workman against pecuniary results of accidents, and regarding education and the protection of the young, have already been introduced. During this session the line of action adopted will be proceeded with. I anticipate that measures relating to the improvement of dwellings, the prevention of excessive labor of able-bodied men in factories and work yards, and the revision of the law relating to strong drinks, will be laid before you.

Proposals will be submitted concerning light railways and the removal of tolls from public and country roads and waterways, the strengthening of the resources, and the improvement of the government in Netherland’s India, as also the revision of Government regulations of Surinam and Curaçao.

The revision of the import tariff is approaching its completion.

Still other important bills are in preparation.

I trust that your deliberations may prove beneficial, and that by your zeal and devotion much may be accomplished to the interest of the fatherland and its possessions beyond the sea.

I declare the ordinary session of the States-General to be opened.