The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-08
MOVED TO TEARS.
Members of the VOlksraad, Scar
red and Wounded,
Listen to President Kruger's
Opening Address.
TWO VACANT SEATS.
Those of JOubert and DecOck
Filled With Flowers.
Dom Paul Says Money Supply
Will Hold Out.

Pretoria, Monday. May THE official
closing of the 1899 Volksraad, which
broke unofficially in September last,
took place today. The vacant seats of
General Joubert and Decock and others
were filled with flowers. The hall was
crowded. a large number of ladies being
present.
In the prayer Of the chaplain an allu-
sion to General Joubert moved many to
tears.
After the prayer the raad adjourned
to the afternoon. when the session of
1900 was inaugurated. The ceremonies
were accompanied by the customary
salute. President Kruger arrived in the
state carriage with the usual escort.
All the diplomatists and foreign at
taches, including General Gourko, the
Russian attache. were present.
The Raadzaal was crowded to its
fullest capacity. and the scene was most
impressive. President Kruger in his
speech opening the session alluded feel
ingly to the vacancies Referring to
General JOubert, he said:
Future generations will be able to
judge the work of the deceased, whose
demeanor inspired the enemy with re-
spect and whose humane and brave
conduct gave fame and Importance to
the state among civilized nations"
He was profoundly struck, he said
given by the people of the Free State
who had fulfilled their obligations to
the TranSVaal under the treaty. They
realized that a united front was re-
quired, as an attack upon the independ-
ence of the Transvaal made a threat
against the Free State. He had i'm
plicit confidence in the future of the
Afrikander nation. BY deeds the Free
State had shown, the president de
clared, good example to the people of
the TransVaal, which had proved of
great moral value to those guiding the
efforts Of a small state to maintain its
independence He was pleased to say
the relations of the TranSvaal with the
foreign states with the exception of
Great Britain We're good
After referring to the peace proposals
of the presidents of both republics to
Lord salisbury, President Kruger said:
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 anuding 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
deavOring to alleviate the distress
caused by the struggle.
After references to alleged violations
of the Red Cross convention and to the
consequent protests of foreign powers,
Pre- sidCut Kruger continued:
Notwithstanding the difficult cir
Cumstances, 1 am able to say our finan-
ces win enable us to bear the great ex-
pensees Of the war, and that the mines
are fOurishing."
The president concluded with a ref
erence to the Free State loan, and sug-
gested that the session be not pro-
longed, and that only matters Of i'm
portance be dealt with. In a moving
peroration he invoked the blessing and
the help of the Almighty.
The proceedings terminated with un-
usual impressive speeches and prayers
Fifty out Of total Of sixty Legislators
were present, several of them still suf-
fering from wounds
WHERE BOERS WILL STOP.
Smalldeel, Orange Free State. Mon
day, May Gen. Hutton's advanced
camp on the colonial regiment is settled
at Lodgelegen Siding
According to reports the Beers Intend
10 make big stand near the Sant
river.
The railroad has been repaired to tht
south side of the Vet river and the en-
gineers are busy making a deviation
across the bed
MORE MEN AT MAFEKING.
Lourenzo Marques. May GA dispatcl
received here from Col. Plumer's cam
bearing date April 26. states that tn
Beers around Mafeking have been grad
ually reinforced and their strength T.
estimated at 5000.
Col Plumer has succeeded in com
munlcauon with Mafeking by means o
carrier pigeons and is endeavorine t,
communicate with the southern relic
column.
HORSE DINNERS.
London. May S.-The latest news from
Mafeking saws:
The besieged are celebrating III
200th day of the siege with horse dinnar
and Col. Baden Powell sent a. messag
TO Lord Roberts saying:
AFTER zoo days of siege desire t
prlng 10 your lOrdship's notice the ex
ceptonally good spirit of LOYALTY whtc
perNades all classes of the garrison an
the patience Of everybody at MafeIin
In making the best of things under tn
long strain of anxiety, hardship an
privations, which is beyond all prais
ana revelation to me- The men. hal
OF Whom are not accustomed to the us
OF arms, have adapted themselves +
lhelI uulles with the greatest zeal an
readiness. The pluck and devotion e
the women have been remarkable. wit
Sufh spirits our organization runs ifk
CLOCK work have every hope it wi
3 pull US through
Mr.. Cecil Rhodes has arrived Of CO..
IoWn without any demonstration bein
made. He goes to Biera. Portuguel
East Africa and thence to Rhodesi;
Darlington.
It is announced that no more Roe
prisoners viii be sent to st. Helena.
A special dispatch from Loren5
marques says the colored America
citizen named Richards who was CON
mitted for trial by the special court q
the charge Of murder in connection Wit
the explosion at Begbie's works. is a
lessI 20 nave said he was offered IS, ,O
TO blow up the foundry
Ane same dispatch says that whe