Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-05-08
YOLKSRAAD MEETS
President Kruger Talks Of Peace,
Finances and Praises the
Free Staters.
BOERS WILL MAKE A STAND
The Volksraad Well Attended Beers
Around Mafsking Receiving Re-en-
forcements Plumer Communicates
With Mafeking.

Pretoria, May 7.-The official closing
of the 1899 Volksraad which broke W
unotficially September last, took place
gurated. All the diplomatists ant
foreign attaches were present. Presi
dent Kruger, in speech at the opening
session, said he was profoundly struck
with the proof of sincere friendship giver
by the people of the Free state who
fulfilled their obligations to the Trans
vaal under the treaty. He had implicit
confidence in the future of the Atri,
kander nation.
SHIFTING THE BLAME.
As to the peace proposals by the
presidents of both republics to Lord
Salisbury, Kruger said: "We 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 every
thing to restore peace"
FINANCES IN GOOD SHAPE.
Notwithstanding the difficult cir
cumstances, l am glad to say our finances
will enable us bear the great expense
fourishing.' said Kruger.
A GOOD ATTENDANCE.
In a moving peroration, he invoked
the blessing and help of the Almighty
Fifty out Of a total of 60legislators were
present, several of them still suffering
from wounds sustained in battle.
SITUATION AT MAFEKING.
Lourenzo MARQUES, May GA des-
patch from Colonel Plumer's camp bear
ing the date of April 26, states that the
Beers around Mafeking are gradually
reinforced and their strength is esti-
mated at 5000. Plumer succeeded in
communicating with Mafeking by means
of carrier pigeons, and is endeavoring to
communicate with the southern relief
column.
BOERS WILL MAKE A STAND.
Smaldeel, Orange Free State, May T.
General Hutton's advanced camp Of
the colonial regiment is tonight settled
at Lodgelegen (Welgelegeh) siding. Ac-
cording to reports the Beers intend to
make big stand near the Sand river.
The railroad has been repaired to the
south side of the Vet river and engin-
GERS are making a deviation across the
bed
WRECKED BRIDGES.
London, May S.-The following dis
patch from Lord Roberts was received
at the war office:
"Smaldeel, May 8.-The railway from
pTo ndf To fc v,1o hop oil
erably damaged. The bridge over the
Vet river has been hopelessly damaged.
This delays supplies coming up. Every
few yards charges of rackarock had
been laid under the rails. This might
have created loss of life, but was for
tunately discovered by the West Aus
tralian infantrymen. Winburg was oc-
cupied by the Highland brigade"
In spite of wrecked railroads, the
British advance goes steadily on. Rob-
erts' outposts are apparently about
twelve miles north of Smaldeel. General
Brabant joined General Rumble at Tha-
ba NChu. whence they are moving for
ward.
SOARING THE REBELS.
A dispatch from Cape Town says:
Lord Roberts phenomenal advance is
not only utterly demoralizing the Beers,
but is striking terror to the rebel colo
nists. The relief of Mafeking is expect
ed at any moment"
A DASTARDLY PLOT.
London, May 8.-The Standard hears
that information has been officially re-
ceived of plot to assassinate Lord
Roberts, and that the latter has been
warned, and that kilograms are now
passing between the Cape authorities,
Lord Roberts and the home authorities
lo cl1hiant