The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-05-08
BOER VOLKSRAAD OPENED
[By Cable to The Associated Press.1

l.
PRETORIA, Monday, May Z, 190O.-The
official closing of the 1899 Volksraad,
which broke up unofficially in September
last, occurred this morning. The vacant
seats of General Joubert and General De
Kock and others were filed with flowers
The hall was crowded, large number of
ladies being present.
In the prayer of the chaplain an allusion
to General Joubert moved many to tears.
After the prayer the Raad adjourned to
the afternoon, when the session of 1900
was inaugurated. The ceremonies were
accompanied by the customary salute.
President Kruger arrived in the state
carriage with the usual escort. All the
diplomatists and foreign attaches, in
cludng General Gourke, the Russian at
tache, were present.
The Raadzaal was crowded to its full
est capacity and the scene was most i'm
pressive. President Kruger, in his speech
opening the session, alluded feelingly to
the vacancies. Referring to General Jou-
bert he said
Future generations will be able to
Judge the work of the deceased, whose de-
meanor inspired the enemy with respect
and whose humane and brave conduct
gave fame and Importance to the State
among civilized nations" He was pro-
foundly struck, he said, by the proof of
sincere friendship given by the people of
the Free State, who had fulfilled their OBJ
legations to the Transvaal under the trea-
ty. They realized that united front was
required as an attack uponu the indepen-
dence of the Transvaal meant threat
against the Free State. He had implicit
confidence in the future of the Afrkander
nation.
BY deeds the Free State had shown, the
President declared, good example to the
people of the Transvaal which had
proved of great moral value to those guild
ing the efforts of small State to main
tain it's independence. He was pleased
to say that the relations of the Transvaal
with foreign States, with the exception of
Great Britain, We're good.
After referring to the peace proposals
of the Presidents of both Republics and
Lord Salisbury. President Kruger said-
1--WE have proved by legislation and our
dealings with Great Britain last year
that it was our desire to preserve peace,
and now that war has broken out, we
will do everything to restore peace"
After alluding to the deputation now on
a mission to Europe and the United
OLdleS anu Inc pItSSuCc VI 81 uidlly dt-
taches, proving the intense interst of
the powers in the republics, and to their
methods of fighting, he said he was pleas
ed to see that the sympathy of the world
was on their side in the war. that am
balances had been sent and that their
friends were united in endeavoring to al
leviate the distress caused by the strug
gle.
After references to alleged violations of
the Red Cross Convention and to the
consequent protests of foreign Powers,
President Kruger continued
Notwithstanding the difficult circum-
stances, I am glad to say that our
finances will enable us to bear the great
expenses of the war and that the mines
are fourishing."
The President concluded with refer
ence to the Free State loan and suggested
that the session be not prolonged and
that only matters of importance be dealt
with In a moving peroration he invoked
the blessing and help of the Almighty.
The proceedings terminated with I'M
usually impressive speeches and prayers.
Fifty out of a total of sixty legislators
were present, several of them still suffer
ing from wounds.