davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
Beers Fall Back Before French Now
at Prospect Station.
GEN. BULLER iNVADES THE TRANSVAAl
His Forces, However, Are Held at Bay by the
Beers at Laing's Mex, Where Burgh-
ers Are Entrenching. Boer
Reports of Fighting.
Reports of Fighting.
(By the Associated Press.)

London. May 24.-(2:05 p. m.-Gen-
era French has reached Prospect
Station. about five miles north of
Rhenoster River. The Beers are re-
treating on the Naal.
A dispatch from Rhencster dated
Wednesday, May 23rd, 7:45 p. m..
says:
The general opinion is that we
will arrive AT Pretoria rs fast as we
can march, though the Beers am
nounced TO all the country that they
intended to fight to the death.
General Ian Hamilton is co-operat-
ing inthe advance on the right. Thus
Lord Roberts. who presumably is "A
few miles behind General French. will
reach the Naal before the end Of the
week.
Natives report that the Beers have
buried two guns in the Rhenoster
River.
In Natal General Buller's forces
have crossed into the TransvaJl near
Ineooo. but are still held at bay at
Laings Mex. where the Beers are en-
trenchino themselves. With the cN-
ception Of this pass. Natal is clear OF
Beers. They have big gun posted.
but il is doubtful if they viii he able
to hold the position when threatened
by fanking movement fr1n. The
force that crossed the lngOgo River.
dispatch from Pretoria announced
that the first train north entered
Mafel,ing May 22nd and that the first
train south is expected next week.
II is said that the relief OF Mafeking
was due to a blunder of one OF the
Federal officers. b. which General
DeIarey was foiIed in his plan TO cut
off the relief force. after driving them
away from the Molopo River.
1t is added that the Fe1eralS have
resolved to make a determined de-
fense of the. city of Johannesburg.
klimke. the State mining engineer,
has been given six months LEAVE of
absence. presumably for protesting
against the proposition 10 blow up
the mines.
A special dispatch from Newcastle,
Natal, says the Russian Ambulance
Corps with the Beers is dis9usted
with their conduct an'l has requested
the Gar to recall it.
At 'Stop-tlie-war Meeting in
London this afternoon, William Stead
remarked that the Boer delegates now
in the United States told him they
were prepared to accept peace on
any terms compatible with indcpra-
dence and asked if il was amy good
attempting to see Lord Salisbury. TO
which Mr.. Stead said that he replied
il was useless to do so. unless they
proceeded ITO America, where they
have met with such coldness in Of
ficaldom as has excited the eXulta-
ton of those who are determined to
throttle the little States to death.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
RACE QUESTION IN M.F. CONFERENCE
Agents of the Eastern and Western Book Con-
Germs Named.
(By the Associated Press. }

Chicago, Ills, May 24.-This was a day
of elections in the Methodist General
Conference. Agents of the Eastern and
Western Book Concerns were named.
Samuel H. Pye and A. c. Jennings We're
the su3ce,;'Jl candidates 10" tns chicago
and Cincinnati offices and Homer Eaton
and George B. Mains were reelected To
the New York office.
The Conference abolished the office OF
Secretary of Epworth League and refused
to allow another secretary for the Sun
day School Union. 1t reconsidered it's
action of a week ago in abolishing addi-
tional secretaries of the various church
benevolences so far as the Freeman's Aid
and Southern Education Society was con-
cerned. The debate resulting in this ac-
ticn was quite bitter at times, the race
question being brought out prominently.
The General Conference voted to adjourn
sine die at 80 p. m. Tuesday next.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
ROBERTS HELD BY THE SWOLLEN RIVER
A Referendum on Continuing the War Going
on Among the Beers.
(By the Associated Press. }

London, May 25.-(3:30 A. NJ, Fri
day)-Lord Roberts infantry advance is
delayed at the RhenCster River for day
or two by the depth of the stream, which
is not fordable. The banks, which are
precpitious, are forty feet high A pom
toon and temporary bridge construction
are under way.
The railway has not been damaged to
any great extent between Kroonstad and
Rhenoster The Transvaalers have Of
Tended the Free Staters by destroying
their splendid bridges when retiring to
Kroonstad. They refrained from doing
this on the retreat to Rhenoster. but
now they are destroying the railroad and
bridges almost completely north of the
Rhenoster.
The British troops are in the form of
crescent, with horns thirty miles apart,
with General Frenchs cavalry on the
left within twenty three miles of the
Vaal. and General Ian Hamiltons mount
ed men on the right, within thirty miles
of the Vaal The center of the crescent
is about forty miles from the Vaal.
Boer kilograms say 5000 British with
guns, are now near Vredefort which is
close to the Vaal and close to Parys. One
correspondent refers to the advance as
a promenade" Another describes it as a
"Boer hunt" The Free Staters are pic
tured as boiling like hares'' at the first
sight of the British. The latter. accord
ing TO one writer do not even find wo-
men and children as the fleeing farmers
take their families with them, in conse
quence of the reports current among the
Transvaalers that the British kidnap all
children over twelve years of age.
The Boer rear guard was of Russians
10 whom was committed the task of de-
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
PROCLAMATION BY KRUGER.

Cape Town, May 24.-President Kruger.
ii is announced here, has issued pro-
clamation saying he will defend Johannes
burg and calling upon all the Beers to
fight to the bitter end
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
About one-third vote viii be polled in the
RICHMOND'S EARLIER REPORTS.

county.
RICHMOND'S EARLIER REPORTS.
Richmond, Va, May 24-An election
was held today in this State on the
question of calling a convention to frame
a new constitution. At 10 o'clock tonight
returns were coming in slow and the
issue was very much in doubt. The vote
was light and the Republicans gener-
ally voted against the measure.
At midnight the returns are still coming
in slowly but the indications are more
favorable for the calling of a convention
At l a. N. it appears probable that the
convention proposition has been carried
by a small majority.
CAST A LARGE VOTE FOR 1T.
Newport News, Va, May 24.-This city
voted fer the constitutional convention by
a majority of over 1,400 out of total vote
Ct about 2300. Warwick and Elizabeth
Citv counties went against the conven-
ton by small majorities.
York county returns indicates ma
jority for the convention.
The entire Democratic city ticket was
elected Wards heretofore Republican.
went Democratic today.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
THEVOTE WAS VERY LIGHT
Returns Come in Slowly. Republicans
Vote Against Proposition,
AT 10 P. NJ. THE ISSUE WAS IN DOUBT
At2:3O Richmond Teegraphed Thatt Appear
ed Certain The Convention TO Frame the
New Constitution Had Been
Carried
Carried.
lBy the Associated Press.l

Richmond Va. May 24.-From a sum-
mary at 1:40 a. m. it appears that the
convention has carried in the Second,
Third, Fourth, Sixth and Tenth Congress
sional districts In these districts are
the cities of Norfolk Portsmouth, New
port News. Richmond, Lynchburg and
Staunton, which gave good convention
majorities. The result in these districts
with scattering majorities in counties in
the other districts, and the majorities
in their cities and some of their larger
towns indicate that the convention move
ment has succeeded. Figures, however,
are impossible at present.
MAJORITY FOR CONVENTION 1,124
Danviile, Va, May 24.-Danville, the
cradle of the movement for a new State
Constitution. gave majority of 1,124 for
convention out of 406 votes cast Indi-
cations are that Pittsylvania and Henry
counties have gone for convention by
small majorties. Harry Wooding was re-
elected to his fourth term as mayor with
little opposition.
Lynchburg Va, May 24.-In Lvnchburg
today there was a majority of 565 for the
Constitutional Amendment out of total
vote of 2,207
PETERSBURG Is FOR 1T.
Petersburg. Va. May 24.-Owing TO in
clement weather the vote here was small
today. Democratic municipal ticket had
no opposition. The vote in favor of
calling a constitutional convention res
921 to 239 against it.
NEGROES SOLIDLY OPPOSE 1T.
Lexington. Va. May 24-In Rockbridge
county twelve precincts out Of twenty
two give 623 votes for and 625 against
calling a constitutional convention. A rain
storm prevailed all day. There was a
general apathy among Democrats. Ne
groes voted soldly against a convention
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
BOXERS DRILLING AT PEKIN.
Threat That the Powers Will Land Troops in
China.
Am the Associated Press

Shanghai, May 24-The members Of the
Chinese secret society, known as the
boxers" are now openly drilling at Pc
kin, and many high Manchns, including
members Of the Imperial Clan, are join
ing the movement, which is becoming
so threatening that diplomatic represen-
tatiyes are about to take action. B. J.
DeCologan, the Spanish Minister. ana
Doyen of the diplomatic corps, have made
a demand upon the Tsung Ii Yamen,
(Chinese Foreign Office couched in the
strongest terms, for the immediate sup
preston of the boxers threatening that
otherwise all the powers concerned would
land troops in China
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25

stroying the bridges. They also looted
freely.
What the Beers are doing is an abso-
lutte mystery. The embargo of news out
of Pretoria for the last a hours has
been complete. The movement toward
Lydenburg however. continues and
referendum on the question of continuing
the war is going on among the Boer
fighting men, 1t may be fortnight be-
fore the results Of this singular vote are
fully before the Transvaal Government. If
the English view of Boer discourage
ment is one half right the Beers will vote
to Quit.
In Natal General Dartnells volunteers
occupied Mount Prospect Monday. Lord
Dundonalds cavalry is at Firmstone near
IngogO. His infantry rests at Schoen-
shocgte. The names are all of fateful
memory in the first Boer war. The Brit
ish face Laing's Mex where the Beers
through the range glasses of the British
are occasionally visible. In the march
across the Biggarsberg all the farms eX-
cept one were found vacant. A tempor-
airy bridge has been finished at Wasch-
bank. Trains now go to Dundee. General
Butler said the best way to celebrate the
Queens birthday was to repair the rail
way to Newcastle and every man was
put to work.
BUBONIC PLAGUE APPEARED
South Africa has ar,ther infiicton. An
extraordinary issue of the gazette at
Durham Announces the death of an East
Indian from the bubonic plague. The
Government has put into force the most
stringent preventive measures, but fears
are expressed that the pestilence may get
among the troops.
FIGHT AT SLEEPERS NECK.
Pretoria Wednesday, May 23.-An
official bulletin issued here today
says:
sixty British cavalry came into
collision on May Goth with eighty of
the Swaziland commando at Scheep-
er's Mex The fighting lasted an
hour. The British lost - killed. -
wounded and II were taken prison
ers. twenty-five horses. two Max
inns and quantity of ammunition
were also captured. The Federals
lost one killed and one injured. They
assisted to remove the wounded and
bury the dead.
THE advance guard at Heilbron re-
tired on the main body at the north
ern border.
according to Free State advice. the
British yesterday were at Greyling's
Drift on the Naal River. % miles from
Womaranstad. with a large force.
ION Sunday kalbe engaged the
British between Heilbron and Lind
lev. The Federals had TO retire before
an overwhelming force. losing one
killed and seven wounded.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25

Richmond. Va, May 24.-The Penin-
sula Bank at Williamsburg was entered
by robbers last night. the safe blown open
and about $40, 900 of money taken There
is no clue to the robbers.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-25
Stephen Baptist to Hang July 10th.
(By the Associated Press. J

Richmond, Va. May 24.-At Boydton
today the jury in the case of Stephen
Baptist for the murder of Mr.. Peter Jones
brought in a verdict of guilty and Baptist
was sentenced TO be hanged on July 10th
next.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
HEAVY STABLES.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS per key 81 00G
AS; blasting powder 81 SO per keg: drob
shot per sack 81 SO; buck 81 80.
bACON--Extra short clear. n sacks. slSc
resulats SAaS5so boxed nc higher; bellies
9Mmlec.
BACGING AND TIES Rasglng 2-lb. s9.c.
2A III 9hc. Arrow ties less than carload lots
rom Houston. 81 80.
CANDY stick. wrapped basis "a, 7iG87%c
FER 10. No l. full we ght basis a. TkGSc
per 10: special sizes isc higher
CANDLES-StAr full we ght. llihc; Gran
tie full weight 1l&e; Electric lights Ne
CEMENT Portland s2.75qS. 25 Rosondalo
l.75@2 90.
coFFEE~Rlo fair 10aiOKc: primo mo
llIAe; choice ll&Gi2hc pesberrv lie: Cor
dova lsc Roasted cofiees: Arbuokles Arlosa
basis 100-b cases. IL soc delivered; S6-lh
basis lO0-th cases 4.00c delivered; SSH
zoe delivered Apex 13.40c.
cRACKERSA B g soda bulk. boxes $40
i-lh cartons e%c' singer snsps Sc: creams
Sc. stage llanks Sac: cakes and iuinbles IL.
FLOCR-tTeXas star Mills: Tidal Wave
81 2i sea Fairy s29s' Sea Nymph 50 So; Ser
level s3.5J; rye -FOUR SO So: puInpernicke 4
q .& Special rates for shipments to interior
points, Quarter sacks are i0c higher than
half sacks and who'd iSc higher than eah
eacks.
FARINAcEoUs GOoDs-Grits hominy and
cream meal, in barrels s. Is. pearl rasa
IN to-ih racks. a.ooD2.io per barrel Of fcui
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
ST. Louis Grain and Provisions.

st. Louis August S.--Wheat--No. . rel
cash 12i4 August Y; September 729s Octo-
Der 723s, December 75i4; No. hard 7Oas'Ot4.
Corn-No. . cash 81. August 81; Sept mbar
cash 20la, August 2Jlk; September Il Decem-
Der 22]a; NO white 2i1a. Pork steady;
lobblng 2.75. Lard lower; choice go G9
60. Flour unchanged. Tlnothy seed Arm
ordinary 2i5d3.00; prime new to arrive
AUGUST 3.3Od3 30 bid. Corn meal steady 2 20
:. .. Bran firm; sacked. east track "a, Hay
- Timothy steady .00Wl3 90; pra RE 4,75D
500. Whisky steady, l.23. Co,ton ties 30.
Begging S.lOaS.S5 Hemp Irvine &c. Dry
salt meats boxed steady; extra shorts
,.431a clear ribs 1874; clear sid 5 5, l2ls.
Bacon, boxed, steady extra shorts %; clear
ribs s.37ia; clear sides s.S2Ms. Receipts-Flour
7C00; wheat 204 000. corn 81 900; oats 81 900
Shipments-Elour 5000; wheat 7l.OO0; corn
30 N0l. nnts 12.O00
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
Grain and Provisions Elsewhere.

New Orleans, August S-Hog nroducts
steady Pork, standard mess 1880. Lard
salt shoulders 6MGD7; sides 714d79s Bacon
Rib sides (clearl sl20S%. Hams-Choico
sugar cured l0dl2 Colfeo auiet-Rio. ordi-
mary 10 fair 9Ss1tNss. Rice-Ordnary to
good 30ph F1our--Extrn fancy 3.6dd8 IS.
patents 3a5Sfi0o. Cornmeal 20, Bran
Is. Hay-Prime 14.OO6l5 90; choice l60)@
IA, vello,v H. Oats--No. sackCd 81,
New York August g. Wheat Receipts "a +.
SIC: exports none; spot weak: No, rel
7aSS elevator and s2M 70 D. aHoat: No
Northern Duluth siSs fob, afloat No |
hard Duluth $3.50 TO b. anoat Options weak
itdNc not decline; September 500, December
S2Hs Hides 49, Leather steady Wool
quiet. Cotton seed oil duh; prime yellow
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

ia Rhode Island have resumed work after
having periods Of inactivity OF from tour
70 hye weekr. Generally conditions among
the spirners in that section has improved
and the distress that has been caused in the
na,i con munties iE allevated. Indeed the
latter result Is believed To Aave some small
weight in causing the rsopeniugs Whetne.
the Improvement Is permanent or not can
not b. known.
on the other hand the mills In Maine have
decided 20 close August is Tor at least three
weeks aud the situation IN the Northern New
England spinning sections are. il anything.
worse than before
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
ST. LOUIS.

81 Louis, August S.--Ca Itle-Recelpts 900,
including 400 Texans; market steady to
strong, native shipping and export steers
5.oOa5.75; dressed beef and butchers steers
4.500o.SO; steers under 1905 pounds 4 100000:
stockers and feeders 3 SOFA IS: cows and
heifers 2.0O62 80; Gamers l.5O62 So; bulls
2.sVu5.35; Texas and Indian steers 1850
4.Sj cows and hoifers . 40q3.70 Hogs-Re-
ceirts 1900; market sc higher. closing at an
advance les' IS and lights 5.10G5. Is; pack
ers $50, butchers 5.i0Q5.10. Sheep
Rec ipts 20uu market steady; native muttons
4.Wdi.l5 lambs iOOd550; culls and bucks
2.C0U4.oO; stockers l.50a3.60.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

There are some lines on the NAN
they sell all the way from 50 cents y
box. These coming in are from asi'
Florida. Many prefer them % l'~a
favoriug iced tea and other beverages
the demand is only moderate
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

Spots closed quiet, prices unchanged: sales
none.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS.

Quininc l7@pe per ounce. Ia bottle; NOR
phine So 1j6D23o ner ounce. cocaine s. 90 per
ounce. boray !ac per pound IN j-pounI
packages; copperas $l.40 in barrels,
castor oil SLID per gallon in 5-gallon
PACKAGES EPSON salts sl,75 per hundred in
barrels. alcohol 81 70 per gallon sulphur So b.
per hundred IN barrels; alam 2iac per pound
in barrels salJpetrc e per pound IN barrels
$3.75; powdered opium S4.55: oarboic acld
2SSfioo ner pound bottles; calcium carbide
$3.50 per cwt,. delivered Texas common rail-
way Iclnt1.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
nIpEs AND WOOL.
BurTEn AND EGGS

Chicago August 7s-Buttsr hrmi creamery
lE12O; dairy i46i7 Cheese DUH 9h0i0A,
Eggs drm; fresh lie
gii packages steady, western al N * i21
1855 for average lots; Mcsfsrn iCss of 1873.
Kancas City, Augus S,--egEs hrm; fresh
Missouri md Kansas stocN TIES loss on
cases returned
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
KANSAS CITY.

Especial 70 The Post)
STOCK Yards, Kansas City, Mo, August S.
The following sales of Texas cattle were
made hero today:
o. J. Young, Anadarke, o. T. 1853 pound
steers, i25; 977 pound steers, 3.S5: j. Meyers
Anoc@rke r., 500 pound steers, S6J: 1000
Ioqnd steers, 395 o2t pound steers, $40; Joe
Cobb, WaEoner, s9S pound steers, $50. Col
ms 4 wallace Ramona. III pound cows
2'So; w II. King, Fort Worth Texas, 743
pound COWS, $50, 797 pound COWS, 2S5: Gus
Whiting Caddo Texas, l0l7 pound cows. $50
So pound cows $50
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
Financial Gable.

New York. August S.Thc Commercial Ad-
vertisers London financial cablegram says;
business was not increased In the markets
here today, but the tone was more cheerful
on the expectation of cheaper money in the
immediate future. Later prices went )m.
tioual
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

At the sale of lemons in New Yorir q
day the price advanced 30 cents ~
stocks are moderate and prices ar
quotations.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

New York Fnturcs.


0HNVW, o UTu' FHINV' HVIIVIs II HV1I'4"I'
SAncII nj limited Sintcs PORTE.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

Reports from the country a'
rain is falling and as q e0n''s. &
interior merchants are euylps y Y
scrNatlNn lines.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS.

APPLEsFa ucy eyaporatod 5O-lb boxes.
Haci lib cartons. Sc choice evaporated, &C.
~ kISOIS-fer h. loose l25ac.
ClTRON--ln l0-lb boxes l3c.
CURRANTS In bbls, &c: 25-lb boxes, clean
ca, bulk 7AG: 1-,b cartons SdSdc.
dates lib packages l0c. 5o-ib boxes &c.
tiGs- California 123sc; imported l5qlSc.
CBES-Cholce new stock &c
RAlSINS-California 3-crown. 4. l.. boxes.
!2,25: Il box l.. l.. raisins 65aI5c: 2-crowu
I. sasirs. 5olh boxes. Tlac 3-crown
l. NJ. Taisins 50-lb boxes. Sc
PRI NEs-California 50.6Us Inc. 60-70s &c.
i0-sQs &c S0-a0s $40: 90-l00s 3c
MUTE Brazil I0c per 10; llbcrts, Sicily lie:
Naples l2Ac. walnuts 1i@tjc; peanuta fancy
hand picked 5hQ5lac; No. AAc. almonds
Taragona ice ID IN sacks. italian ehestnuts
Ice. DeCans selected i0c
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09
LiverpooI unexncctealy strong

Especial TO The Pust.1
New York August SIS Muun Son &
Co. say: Cotton was regular but ia the
main higher. closing very steady at net
rise of TO Il points, with estimated sales
of 225.00O bales Liverpool was Unexpectedly
strong the rise there bei1g attr buted to
covering by shorts on fears OF poor gov
ornmeut report on FRIDAY. Liverpool. more
ever was a good buyer and FOCAL aud South
orn shorts covered freely.
TeXarkana. Teas says: Worms are re-
ported nom every quarter with rank growth
and dense foliage. Think they are here to
stay. Rust is doing great damage, uultage
very light and the outlook very unpromislug.
With such conditions winter months loo,S
cheap 10 us. and some or tue best posted
people are predicting 10 cents for January
before the middle OF september,
Troy, Ala. reports: On stim land, red
land and fresh land where 1t has been prop
erly worked and freed from grass, the crop
is In excellent condition. and promises
good crop.
feet. II nothing happens from nov on we
will make bale to the acre IN this part
OF Texas usually this section makes about
one-haN bale TO acre. with iatu frost and
no worms we expect Texas to make more
cotton than 1t ever did.
Admission, Ala: This section Is better than
/ have ever seen. Recent Improvement more
than expected. Alabama will make the best
crop in years. Cotton improving rapidly and
fruting fast Has improved 10 per cent In
IN the four counties is very promising. and
all farmers say they expect to move good
crop.
Receipts continue light and spot markets
firm while supplies are now down to very
low stnge. Fear OF bullish bureau report
however. was the dominating factor. Tho
market has been oyersold and on reactions
nc favor purchases
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

New York. August s.-Demand for heavy
brown cottons light and market easy
Bleached cottons quiet and stcady; wide
sheeungs sell moderately Coarse eolored
cottons Inactive and irregular. Prints snow
a steady improvement m demand chiefly on
staple lines Gnghams qu,et aud unchanged.
Print cloths inactive but prices maintained
Market for serges easy, dress goods dull aud
unchanged Silks inactive and easy