BELGIUM. 



BELOOCHISTAN. 



69 



sideration, and on July 7th was again passed 

 by the latter body, when it adjourned. 



The Chambers met again on November 13th, 

 and were opened by the King in person. In 

 his speech from the throne he said that Bel- 

 gium, faithful to her pacific policy, continued 

 to entertain most amicable relations with all 

 the powers. The last census proved that in 

 10 years the increase of population bad been 

 508,000. The number of legislators must there- 

 fore be increased by 5 senators and 10 repre- 

 sentatives. The provincial and communal rep- 

 resentation must also be increased accordingly. 

 The law for the prevention of electoral frauds 

 would be completed, and unity of electoral 

 legislation established. Public instruction was 

 in a prosperous condition, and sufficient pro- 

 vision for teachers of all grades had been made. 

 The situation of agriculture was satisfactory, 

 and the invasion of the cattle-plague had been 

 prevented. Notwithstanding the commercial 

 crisis, Belgian commerce had not declined, and 

 the activity of the ports had increased. The 

 execution of new maritime works at Antwerp, 

 commenced on the river Meuse, would soon 

 render it navigable through the whole of Bel- 

 gian territory. The construction of railways 

 was progressing notwithstanding the financial 

 disasters. Belgium would join the other Gov- 

 ernments in the question of the simplification 

 of railway tariffs. Postal legislation would 

 be put in harmony with the principles of the 

 postal union. Maritime legislation was to be 

 revised, and a law would be presented regula- 

 ting responsibility of transport. In relation 



URCH OF ST. OL'DULB, BRUSSELS. 



to questions on which the public mind was 

 divided, the King said the principles and ideas 

 uniting all should not be forgotten, as the love 

 of national autonomy and attachment to con- 

 stitutional liberties. In two years the 50th 



anniversary of national independence would 

 be celebrated ; " then the great things accom- 

 plished in half a century would be commemo- 

 rated, and, as to-day, God would be thanked 

 for having always protected the dear father- 

 land." On the 21st, the Chamber of Repre- 

 sentatives adopted the address in reply to the 

 King's speech, and rejected an amendment 

 calling on the Government to combat the en- 

 terprises of "Ultramontane Maligners" of the 

 Constitution. 



HOTEL DB VILLE, BRUSSELS. 



The International Commission for the ex- 

 ploration of Africa met on June 20th, in Brus- 

 sels. It was attended by a large number of 

 African explorers and others interested in the 

 work. It was resolved that the first station 

 for explorers should be established by the ex- 

 ecutive committee, and that its principal ob- 

 ject be the suppression of the slave-trade. The 

 commission reflected the King of Belgium as 

 its president. 



BELOOCHISTAN. The relations between 

 Beloodhistan and India continued to be of a 

 very friendly character during the early part 

 of the year. The Khan of Kelat, having at- 

 tended the durbar of the Viceroy in December, 

 1876, returned highly pleased. In February a 

 treaty was concluded with the Khan, whereby 

 the British Government agreed to support the 

 Khan against internal and foreign foes, and 

 to pay an annual subsidy of 10,000, besides a 

 further sum of 2,200, for the purpose of effect- 

 ing such improvements in the country as the 

 Government might approve. In return, the 

 Government will have the right to occupy the 

 chief towns with troops, to construct railways 



