The sun., 1900-05-09
KRUGER IS NOW FOR PEACE
Statement Made by the Trans
vaal President to the BOer
MI Congress.
BURGHERS' FINANCES GOOD
La Opening the Session of Congre SIS
the President Requests That
the Legislature Deals Only
.f With Matters of Im-
aM portance.
URGHERS' FINANCES GOOD

Pretoria, May delayed in trans
mission)-"We have proved by legisla-
tion and our dealings with Great Britain
last year that it was our desire to pre-
serve peace, and now that war has bro
ken out we will do everything to restore
peace"
Thus spoke President Kruger today at
the official opening of the volksraad, the
Boer congress. The volksraad broke
Nh unofiicially last September. Today
the hall was crowded, chiefly with ladies,
and the vacant seats of the late General
Joubert and General De Kocl and others
We're filled with flowers.
b In the prayer Of the chaplain an allu-
sion to General Jouhcrt moved many 70
Fears. After the prayer the raad adj
journed until this afternoon, when Inc
session af 1909 was inauguratcd. Ihe
ceremonies wore accompanied hy the Gus
tonlaly salute. President Kruger arrived
in the state carriage with the usual cs-
cort. All the diplomatstS ana foreign
attaches. includin" General Gourko the
u Russian attachp, We're present.
The raadzaal was crowded to its full
est cnnacitr, aud The scene was most inn
pressivc President Kruger III his speech
opcning the session alluded feelingly to
the vacancies Referring to General
Jouhert, he said
"Futuyp generations will he able to
iudge the work af the deceased, whose
demcanur inspired the enemy with re-
spect ana whose humane and brave con
duct gave fame and Importance to tho
state among civilized nations"
IIe was profoundly struck. he said. by
the proof Of sincere friendship given by
xr. Af In,
fulfilled their obligations to the Trans
vaal under the treaty
Coufidence In AfriIanders' Future.
They realized that united front wa'
reofNred as an attack upon the indie
pentlence Of the Transvaal meant !
Threat against the Free State. He ha'
Implicit confidence i'll the future OF IN
~ frikander nation.
ktAf1Ry deeds the Free State had shown
BE president declared, Il good exampl
to the people Of the Transvaal, which ha'
provtd of great neral value to thoS
ending the efforts of Il small state I
maintain its independence.
He was pleased to say that the ra
tions Of the TranSvaal with forcigi
states, with the exception of Great Brit
ain, were good After referring to tn
peace proposals of the presidents of hot
republics to Lord Salisbury, Prcsidcl
Kruger made the remark recorded above
After uludng to the deputation no.
on Il mission to Europe and the Unite
States and the presence of so man
attaches. proving the intense interest {
the powers in the republics and to the
methods of fighting, he said he was plea
ed to see that the sympathy Of the worl
was on their side in the war, that IL
the powers in the republics and i'll the
friends were unitfI in endeavoring
alleviate the distress caused by the stru
gle.
E8 After references to alleged violation
of the Red Cross convention and TO q
consequent protests of foreign power
president Kruger said:
Notwithstanding the difficult circul
Stances, am glad TO say that o
finances will enable us to hear the gre
expenses of the war and that the MN
are Hourishing."
The president concluded with a reft
ence to the Free State loan and suggest
p that the session he not prolonged a
that only matters of Importance be dei
with In moving peroration he invok
the blessing and help of the Almighty
The proceedings termnated with i
usually impressive speeches and praye
M Fifty out of IL total of go legislators We
present. several Of them still suffer-
ANAn wounds.