Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-09
THE TRAMSVAAL VoLKSRAAD
PRESIDENT KRUGER'S ADDRESS
TO BOER PARLIAMENT.


Pretoria. May 7-Thc official closing
of the 1899 Volltsraad, which broke up
unofilcially in September last, took
place to-day. The vacant seats of
General Joubert and General DcCock
and others were filled with flowers.
The hall was crowded, u large number
of ladies' being present.
In the prayer of the chaplain in an
allusion to General Joubert many were
moved to tears After the prayer the
Rad adjourned to the afternoon, when
the session OF 1900 was inaugurated.
The cerepones were accompanied by
the customary salute. President Kru-
ger arrived i:l the state carriage with
the usual escort. All the diplomats is
and foreign attaches, including General
Gourko. the Russian attache, were
present.
The Raadzaal was crowded to It's
fullest canaclty and the scene was
most impressive. President Kruger in
his speech opening the session, alluded
feeinGly to the vacancies. Referring to
General Joubert he said:
Future generations will be able to
-3tids5e- The G-nrlS- OF ti,a -deeeased whnen
demcanor inspired the enemy with re-
spect and whose humane and brave
conduct gave fame and importance m
the State among civilized nations"
He was profoundly struck, he said.
by the proof OF sincere friendship given
by the people of the Free State. who
had fulfilled their obligations to the
Transvaal under the treaty. They real
lied that n united front was REQUIRED
MS an attack upon the independence of
the Transvaal meant threat against
the Free State. He had implicit con-
hdence in the future OF the Afrikandcr
nation.
Il,- dc he
the President declared, good example
to the people of the Transvaai, which
had proved OF great moral value to
those guiding the efforts of n small
State to maintain dts independence. He
was pleased TO say that the relations of
the Transvaal with foreign States, with
the exception OF Great Britain, were
good
After referring to the peace proposals
OF the President of both Republics to
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 abiding to the deputation now
on a mission to Europe and the United
States and the presence of so many at
taches. proving the Intense interest of
the powers in the republics. and to
their methods of fighting, he said he
was pleased to see that the sympathy
of the world was on their side in the
war. that ambulances had been sent
and that their friends were united in
endeavoring 10 alleviate the distress
caused by the struggle. After refer
ences to alleged violation of the Red
Cross convention and to the consequent
protests OF foreign powers, President
Kruger continued:
Notwithstanding the difficult cir
cumstances, [ am glad to say our
finances will enable us TO bear the
great expense of the war and that the
mines are flourishing."
The president concluded with a re-
feTences to the Free State loan and
suggested that the session be not long
prolonged and that only matters of
Importance be dealt with. In n moving
peroration he invoked the blessing and
help of the Almighty.
The proceedings terminated with I'M
usually impressive speeches and pray
ers. FIFTY out OF q total of sixty leg
islators were present. several of then,
still suffering from wounds,