The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-12
WILL ACT FOR ENGLAND.
OUR TRhNsVAAL CoNsULs TO CARE
FOR BRITISH INTERESTS.
An InformaI Understanding Reached In
waahinotun NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. nf

An InformaI Understanding Reached In
Washington Observation-Disclosures of
the Rsquest-EnEinud's Service to tho
United states In tho War with Spain.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 11-Reginald Tower.
British Charge d'AfYnlres in Washington. called
on DR.. Hill. the acting Secretary OF State. to-
day and had an interview. in which the rela-
tons OF Great Britain and the Transvnal
were discussed. While 1t was denied positively
that Mr.. Tower requested in behalf OF his
Government that the State Department in
struct the United States Consul at Pretoria
and the Consular Agent at Johannes
burg to represent British interests In
the TrnnBvaal In the event OF war. there
Is reason to believe that an informal
understanding exists that Immediately
upon the receipt OF news that hostilities have
commenced the request will be made and
promptly granted. From what was said to-
day by officials after the interview between DIR.
Hill and Mr.. Tower. 1t Ia evident that a clash
on the Transvaal border 10 expected to occur
within twsnty-four hours.
The fact that Great Britain has selected the
United 6tntes to act for British subjects In the
Transvaal is n clear mark Of desire on the
part Of Great Britain to show confidence in this
country and to assert to the world that she re-
CARDS the United States Government as her
best friend The acceptance OF the trust by
the United States does not mean as
much as that. as n refusal would be
distinctly discourteous and unfriendly
act FOR which good reason would
be required However. the British diplo-
matte and consular representative in Spanish
territory represented American interests dur
ing the war with Spain at the request OF tho
United States, so that Great Britain did not
take the initiative in acknowledging to other
nations the extreme cordially existing be-
tween herself and this country The action OF
the United States In asking Great Britain to
act for American citizens In Spain during the
recent war was due more than anything else to
desire to oxpross the gratefulness OF this
Government for the attitude OF Great Britain
toward the powers OF Europe unfriendly to the
American cause in the conflict OF 1898.
When Mr.. Macrum. the Consul at Pretoria,
and Mr.. Manning. the Consular Agent at
Johannesburg, receive their instruction from
the state Department to look out for British
interests. Mr.. Nacrum will inform the Trans
vaal Government Should the Transvaal object
to permitting these American officials to act
for Great Britain. the United States Govern
ment caR do nothing except to gracefully sub
NIT. but the action OF the Beers would be con =
sidered ms u distinct slap at the honesty Of tho
United States In declaring absolute neutrality
in the South African trouble.
1t is stated positively at the Department OF
state that no official representation whatever
has been made by Great Britain to secure the
mediation OF the United States Acting Secre-
tary of State Hill snid 20 The Sun reporter this
morning:
The British Government has not requested
the United States Government to use its good
offices In Pretoria"
He refused to discuss the probability OF such
course by Great Britain. and Emphasized the
statement made last week that unless both
governments asked for mediation tho United
States would remain absolutely neutral In the
controversy.
LONDON. Oct. 1.-THE Foreign Office pri-
vately informs THE SUNS correspondent that
1t has applied to the United States Governme nt
to have the American Consul at Pretoria repre-
sent British interests during the war. A favor
able reply Is expected