The evening times., 1899-12-06
THE SEARCH FOR MACRUM
The State Department Trying to
Locate the Missing Consul.
CableErams Sent to south Africa and
Observation-Disclosures His Post and
Atterbary-Had Been Trying to
Get Permission TO Return Homo.

The State Department Is using its ut
most endeavors and sending dispatches TO
all parts Of South Africa to discover the
whereabouts OF Consul Macrum, who SO
suddenly and mysteriously disappeared
from his post of duty as American Consul
at Pretoria. AS Mr.. Macrum was the only
American consul in the Boer Republic and
was authorized to also look after British
interests while hostilities lasted. his con-
duct is perplexing to the State Depart
ment. which accounts for its activity in
trying to locate him.
The Importance of the post to which Mr..
Macrum was appointed last year on the
recommendation of Senator Hanna was
raised to one of unusual dignity by the
was regarded as extremely fortunate that
the United States should possess such a
capable man on the spot.
Ever since he has become charged with
British interests, however, Mr.. Macrum
has been assiduous in his efforts to be
freed from his responsibilities and permit
ted to return home. his only explanation
being to the mysterious effect that the au-
thorities Of the State Department would
certainly be satisfied with his reasons,
which he could only impart after he reach
ed Washington. 1t was strange that he
declined stubbornly to give any mixing of
their import by cable, especially as his
cipher messages received at the State De-
partment showed that he was allowed to
send anything OF private nature over the
wires that he chose.
Secretary Hay refused for a while to
permit Macrum TO come home just when
his services were most needed, and er-
deavored to induce the consul to remain
at Pretoria until some one could be sent
to relieve him. This did not meet Ma
crum's views. He insisted that a young
American named Atterbury in Pretoria was
easily competent to take charge OF the
consulate and transact its business for the
present. He did not tell who Atterbury
was, or even give his initials 1t is the
understanding that Macrum has finally
turned over his affairs to the unknown At
terbury and started for home, where his
future official status will be determined.
In the meantime the President has di-
rected Adelhert S. Hay. Secretary Hays
son. to go to Pretoria and take charge of
the consulate. Mr.. Hay is expected to leave
New York tomorrow, but can hardly reach
his destination. by way Of Delagoa Bay. in
less than six weeks. In the meantime un-
der ordinary circumstances American and
British representation at the seat of the
Boer Government is concentrated in a
young man whose initials, antecedents,
ability, or other attributes are absolutely
unknown quantities at the State Depart
ment.
This condition was already causing much
official perturbation which was deemed i'm
possible to remedy. and 1t was augmented
today by reports from the West intimating
that Atterbury might be identical with one
Of the same name. who was said to have
left the United States and sought the
Transvaal as the only secure place from
extradition proceedings. The officials
heard that Macrum's successor was prob
ably one Il G. Atterbury, Of Chicago, who
left 500, 900 in bad debts when he hurried
out of the jurisdiction Of the United States.
and it was represented that he was just
the man to hoodwink Macrum, especially
when the consul was SO anxious to find Q
The only plausible explanation Of Ma
orum's actions is that he is frightened out
of his wits. His conduct is in sharp con-
trast to that of the British consuls who
the United States In Spain last
year, and particularly to that Of the heroic
aamsden, whose instrumentality in secur-
ing the surrender of Santiago was incal-
,ulable, and whose death was due to his
devotion to duty.