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Show THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. The British Parliament has been prorogued. The following is the address of the Queen on the occasion: "My Lords and Gentlemen: It is with satisfaction that I find myself at length enabled to release you from your arduous labors. I continue to receive assurances of the most friendly character from all the foreign Powers. The failure of the Sublime Porte to execute, according to its agreement, the plan agreed upon in April last for the determination of the Ottoman frontier lying toward Montenegro, has caused unfortunate delays in the settlement of that question, and the treaty of Berlin has not yet taken effect in other points of importance which remain open at the commencement of the session. The Governments which were parties to that treaty have communicated to the Sultan their judgment on the means of bringing to a satisfactory settlement the Greek and Montenegrin frontier question on the administrative organization of European provinces of Turkey, and on the principal reforms required in the Asiatic provinces inhabited by Armenians for the attainment of objects in view. I continue to place reliance on the fact that the concert of Europe has been steadily maintained in regard to the Eastern question, and that the Powers who signed the Treaty of Berlin are pressing upon the Sublime Porte, with all their authority which belongs to their united action, measures which, in their behalf, are best calculated to insure tranquility in the East. I have not been unmindful during the few months which have elapsed since I last addressed you of the considerations which would guide my policy on the northwestern frontier of my Indian Empire. Measures have already been taken for the complete military evacuations of Northern Afghanistan and some progress has been made towards the pacification and settlement of the country. The renewal of hostilities by the Afghans under Ayoob Kahn, has rendered necessary further military operations in Southern Afghanistan. |