Ottoman Diplomats

Synopsis

Etienne Carathéodory Effendi reports that, for the first time since 1886, the start of the new parliamentary year in Belgium was inaugurated by a royal session. Carathéodory describes the royal procession to the parliament and the King’s speech. The speech was considered dull, as the King hardly addressed the burning questions of the time, such as the constitutional reforms and the Congo Question. He did, however, emphasise Belgium’s neutrality, when he announced that the construction of the fortifications in the Meuse region were completed. The King’s speech did not contain anything out of the ordinary. Yet, supplementary measurements were taken, because socialist demonstrations were be expected as a result of the rejection of the proposal of universal suffrage. Some people were still able to shout ‘Vive le suffrage universel’ in parliament, but the agitation did not pose any danger. Carathéodory was worried, however, that the question and discussions concerning universal suffrage would lead to more unrest. He was glad and reassured by the moderate liberals’ support for the government, opposing together to the revolutionaries. (The enclosed text of the King’s speech is not photographed.)

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