Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-05-08
The Republic Able to Bear the
Heavy War Expense and the
Mines are FlourIshIne.
Fifty of the Sixty legislators
Present-Boers! Strength In
creaslne at Mafeklne.
TO AssAssINATE ROBERTS

Lourenzo Marques. May GA dis
patch from Colonel Plumer's camp,
bearing date of April 26th, states that
the Beers around MafelKing are being
gradually reinforced and their strength
is estimated at 5000. Colonel Plum
er succeeded in communicating witk
Mafeking by means of carrier pig
cons, and is endeavoring to commune
cate with the southern relief column.
Pretoria, May THE official clos
ing OF the 1899 Volksraad, which broke
up unoficially, September last. took
place today. The session of 1900 was
inaugurated. All diplomatists and for
eign attaches were present President
Kruger. in a speech opening the ses-
sion, said he was profoundly struck
with the proof of sincere friendship
given by the people of the Free State,
who had fulfilled their obligations to
the Transvaal under treaty. He had
implicit confidence in the future Of the
Afrikander nation. AS to the peace
proposals of the presidents of both
republics to Lord Salisbury, Kruger
said:
I'VE proved by legislation, and our
dealings with Britain last year, that
1t was our desire to preserve peace,
and now that war has broken out we
will do everything to restore peace.
Notwithstanding difficult circumstanc-
es am glad to say our finances will
enable us to bear the great expense
of the war and that the mines are
ffourishing." said Kruger. I'm NOV
ing peroratfon he invoked the blessing
and help of the Almighty. Fifty, out
of a total Of sixty legislators, were
present, several still suffering from
their wounds.
Smalldeel. Orange Free State, May
General Hutton's advanced camp
of the colonial regiment, is tonight,
settled at LodgeIegen, (Welgelegeh)
siding. According to reports, the
Beers intend to make big stand near
Sand river. The railroad has been re-
paired to the south side of the Vet
river and engineers are making a de
Walton across the bed
London. May 8--The following dis
patch from Lord Roberts was receiv-
ed at the war office: Sma1ldeel. May
8-The railway from Brandfort to
this place has been considerably dam
aged and the bridge over the Vet riv-
er hopelessly damaged. This delays
supplies coming up. Every few yards
charges of racKarock have been laid
under the rails. This might have
created loss of life, but was fortunate
1y discovered by West Australian
infantryman. Winburg is occupied
by the Highland brigade. In spite Of
the wrecked railroads, the British ad-
vance goes steadily on. Roberts out
posts are apparently about twelve
miles north of Smalldeel, General Bra
bant joined General Rumble at Thaba
NChu, whence they are moving for
ward. A dispatch from Cape Town
says: Lord Roberts phenomenal adj
vance is not utterly demoralizing to
the Beers, but is striking terror to
the rebel colonists. The relief of
Mafelxing is expected at any moment.
London, May S-The Standard
hears that information has been Off
cially received of a plot to assassinate
Lord Roberts. that the latter has been
warned and kilograms are now pass
ing between the Cape authorities. Lord
Roberts and the home authorities on
the subject.