Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-22
ACT DISAVOWED
BY ENGLAND
If H,acrum's Mall Was Opened 1t Was
Contrary to Instructions.
Hays Statement.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Tke pref
the secretary Of state in answer to the
Macrum resolution Of The house Of rep
resentatives gave a categorical answer
to the questions embodied in the resolu-
tion. and did not refer to the action Of
the department in relation to the mat.
ter. 1t has since been given ont at the
state department. that inquiries set on
foot Immediately after the publication
of Macrum's' first statement, developed
the fact that the British government
had no knowledge Of any interference
with the correspondence of the United
States consulate at Pretoria, and the adj
ditional fact that if any such interfer-
ence had taken place 1t was contrary to
Instructions. : 'Tf
The statement Of Secretary Hay, and
conveyed to the house through Presi.
dent Mckinley, contained the follow
ing:
Answering the first part of tho resolution
communication by mail and telegraph with
Charles E. M6SsaSSin, late consul Of the United
States at Pretoria, South African republic
since his entrance upon the duties OF tho office
Communications made by him have been an'
swerod and tho execution Of instructions sent
has been reported by him. His dispatches to
the department, forwarded through the con
sulnte at Lourehzo MARQUES, have, during that
time, been regularly received. The only in.
stance OF complaint in respect to tho transit OF
tho mails from Lourenzo Marques and Pretoria
WAS in November last, when temporary stop
page of tho mails occurred at Cape Town
against which Mr.. iacrum and the consul ut
Ma.nt Gt.1 A,.,., -
were made for the prompt delivery Of the con
sular mails to tho United States consul general
at Cape Town, by whom tho mail for Mr.. Hol
Lis and Mr. Maclum was forwarded TO Lourenze
Marques.
The aelay lasted but n few days and has moi
required so far us the department is advised
After that time the departments mail foi
Lourcnzo MARQUES and Pretoria was sent by O
neutral route. which II appears was lsnowr
and open to Mr.. Macr,im and Mr.. Hollis Il,
early as Nov. IN last. No obstacle, therefore
Ia here known to have existed ell CO then Il
Mr.. Macrum's unhnmpered correspondence,
with tho department of state. At no tim,
while at his post did Mr.. Macrum report TO th,
department any instance Vt violation by open
ing or otherwise Of his official mail by thu
British censor at Durham or by any person ol
persons whatsoever, there or elsewhere
Neither has he SO reported since he left Pre-
toria, although having tho ampleat opportunit,
to do SO by mailwhile ON tho way homo and il
person, when he reported to the department OF
his return.
Answering the second part Of the aforesaid
resolution the undersigned, secretary OF state
has the honor to say that there Is no truth IL
tho charge that secret alliance exists betwecI
the republic of the United States and the EN-
pirc Of Great Britain; that no form of secre
alliance is possible under the constitution O
the United States, inaomuch as treaties requir,
| The advice and consent OF the senate; and
finally, that no secret alliance, convention, ar
rangment or understanding exists betweei
the United States and any other nation,
tSigned) john HAY,
| nennrtrnent OF Statn. Eeh 20 ION