The hour has now arrived at which I, in the midst of my loyal States-General, invoking God's holy name, bind myself to the Dutch nation to maintain its precious rights and liberty.

I therefore confirm this day the firm bond existing between myself and my people, and the ancient tie between the Netherlands and the House of Orange is sealed anew.

My calling is a high one, the task a grand one which God has laid upon my shoulders. I am happy and thankful that it is my lot to govern the people of the Netherlands-a people small in numbers, but great in virtue, mighty both by nature and character.

I deem it a great privilege that it is my life's task and duty to dedicate all my powers to the welfare and prosperity of my loved fatherland. I adopt the words of my loved father as my own:

The House of Orange can never, never do enough for the Netherlands."

In the accomplishment of my task I shall need your help and cooperation, gentlemen, members of the House of Representatives. I am convinced that you will accord it me in full measure.

Let us work together for the happiness and prosperity of the Netherlands people. Let that be the main object in life of us all.

May God bless your work and mine, that it may tend to the good of our fatherland.

I swear to the Netherlands people that I will ever “ guard and maintain the constitution. I swear that I will defend and preserve the independence and territory of the Kingdom with all my power; that I will protect the general and private liberty and rights of my subjects, and will adopt all lawful means at my disposal to the preservation and promotion of the welfare of the general public and the private individual, as becomes a good sovereign.

"So help me God Almighty."

No. 157.]

Mr. Newel to Mr. Day.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
The Hague, September 21, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to state that the 1898-99 session of the StatesGeneral 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

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. 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

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 heartfelt 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..

[Inclosure in No. 157-Translation.]

STANFORD NEWEL.

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 heroisin 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 revi sion 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.

No. 156.]

Mr. Hay to Mr. Newel.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, October 5, 1898.

SIR: I inclose herewith a letter from the President in reply to one from Her Majesty, the Queen of the Netherlands, announcing her assumption of the royal power on the attainment of her majority.

I also inclose an office copy of the President's letter.

You will transmit the copy to the foreign office and present the original in the manner most agreeable to Her Majesty.

I am, etc.,

JOHN HAY.

[Inclosure.]

William McKinley, President of the United States, to Her Majesty, Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange Nassau,

etc.

GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: I congratulate Your Majesty on your assumption of the royal power of which you notified me by your letter of the 31st of August, last.

The satisfaction which this announcement gives me is enhanced by the expressions of Your Majesty's intention to neglect no opportunity to maintain and draw closer the amicable relations subsisting between the United States and the Netherlands. For the attainment of this object, you may well rely upon my cooperation. That honor, peace, and prosperity may bless your country, is my earnest wish.

Trusting that your reign may be long and happy, and prove strong in the affections of your people, I pray God to have Your Majesty in His wise keeping.

Your good friend,

By the President:

JOHN HAY,

Secretary of State.

WASHINGTON, September 30, 1898.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

1

No. 21.]

PERSIA.

ARREST AND RELEASE OF REV. M. BAGDASARIAN.

Mr. Tyler to Mr. Sherman.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Teheran, Persia, April 21, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit for your information some correspondence relating to the imprisonment of the Rev. M. Bagdasarian, a naturalized citizen of the United States, now, as his permanent abode, residing at the village of Kalasar, district of Salmas, in the government of Azerbaijan, as a missionary of an American denomination called the "Disciples of Christ."

Mehran Bagdasarian was originally a Turkish subject, having been born in Constantinople and lived for many years in Van. He went to the United States, I am informed, about nine years ago, remained the statutory period, took out his papers of naturalization, and, it appears, obtained funds and started out almost immediately as a missionary to the Nestorians and Amenians of Persia.

This is not the first time that Bagdasarian has been in conflict with the Persian authorities, as the inclosed copy of a letter will show. On this occasion I had a personal interview with the foreign minister and induced him to intervene and stop what was apparently an attempted extortion and persecution. Bagdasarian, it appears, at this time employed a refugee as a teacher in his orphanage (an institution supported by funds sent from Germany) who was accused of being a revolutionary, and subsequently arrested and sent to the district prison at Khoi. To employ this man was, no doubt, a mistake, even though, as Bagdasarian states, he was innocent, and it was probably on this ground that a pretext was found for his own apprehension and his being sent to Tabriz. It is, on the other hand, possible, to agree with the acting British consul, that the real object was to extort money, of which Bagdasarian seems to have a considerable supply, and probably makes an indiscreet display of.

Bagdasarian must have known that the Turkish authorities were using every possible means and vigilance to detect and report the existence of even apparent revolutionaries, and their movements on the frontier, and should have kept himself free from persons who were likely to create suspicion and cause trouble and annoyance to the Government.

I venture to remark that when it can be proved, as is the case with some of these men, that their only object in going to the United States and staying just long enough to become entitled to citizenship, without fulfilling any of the duties appertaining thereto, is simply to obtain protection in a foreign state, some different treatment should be extended to them. They never have been and never will be citizens in the true sense of the term. I am afraid, too, that this privilege is

sometimes made the excuse and the occasion for acts of very serious indiscretion which native citizens would consider it prudent to abstain from. Perhaps it might be advisable to administer a caution to these people when they come into the country, that protection depends upon good behavior. The Persian Government will not recognize as foreign subjects those who have left the country and remained in some other just sufficent time to allow of their change of nationality.

It will be seen from the last English telegram that Bagdasarian has been delivered up to the acting English consul, so there is no doubt he will have a fair trial, but any further action which I shall deem it necessary to take will depend upon the issues raised and the decision arrived at by the tribunal. I have not thought it necessary to telegraph for instructions in dealing with this matter, as I have no doubt that it will eventually be amicably and satisfactorily settled.

I may be permitted to explain that in my letter to the foreign minister of the 11th instant, I mention the name of Mirza Hussein Khan. This person was for a short time last year the sarperast, or administrator, for the Christians in Oroomiah, and earned the esteem and respect of all the foreigners residing in those regions. In my interview with his Excellency he promised to have him reappointed and I think he will return to his post, which in the present disturbed state of those parts is one of considerable responsibility. Hussein Khan is a man of some experience, and if he can carry out the policy and plans he has foreshadowed to me he may do much to ameliorate the condition of the people.

I have, etc.,

JOHN TYLER.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 21-Telegrams.]

No. 1.]

Acting British consul-general to United States minister.

TABRIZ, April 11, 1898.

I have received information frem Salmas that by order of Emir-iNizam, Mihran Bagdasarian, American citizen, has been unjustly imprisoned. I have demanded his immediate release, and protested against this action. Please have orders telegraphed to Emir-i-Nizam to cease molesting American citizens.

Acting British consul-general to United States minister. No. 2.] TABRIZ, April 13, 1898. Referring my telegram 11th, Emir-i-Nizam, notwithstanding my request and protest, refuses to liberate Mihran Bagdasarian, and is about to bring him to Tabriz as a prisoner under escort. I have renewed my protest, and hold Persian Government responsible for damages and for breaking treaty rights. I believe Bagdasarian, who is accused of protecting and helping Armenian revolutionists, is innocent, and intrigue set on foot to extort money from him. Please do the needful and inform me. It is time Emir-i-Nizam should know that he can not trifle with impunity with American citizens. This will be a most unfortunate precedent of violating treaty rights if it is allowed to go unchecked. I await your instructions.