The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-20
THE CLAIMS OF MACRUM.
He Awaits the Action of the state
Department

| Chalres E. Macrum. one time Consul at
Pretoria, South Africa, returned to Wash
ington yesterday from visit to his home
at East Liverpool, OHIO. and had long
conference with Representative Wheeler.
who introduced the resolution into the
House asking for an investigation into the
charges made by Mr.. Macrum that the
Secretary Of State had formed n secre
alliance with Great Britain and that Mr.
Macrum's mail had been opened by Brit
ish censors in South Africa.
When seen by a Times reporter last
night Mr.. Macrum said: Il have made the
charles that a secret alliance has been
formed between this country and Great
Britain, through the medium of Secretary
Hay, and I am in a position TO substan-
tiate my charges, but until the Secretary
of State sends his answer to the resolu-
tion Of Representative Wheeler | will not
state what action propose to take
Mr.. Mscrum was asked II ii was true
that he still had the envelopes on which
he claims the British censor broke the
seals. He said:
Yes. | have those envelopes, but l will
not say what | will do with them until
Secretary Hays reply to my charges has
been made public. I came back to Wash
ington to see what action the S ate De-
partmeEt would take regarding my charges.
and when | find that out 1t will be time
enough for me to make another statement.
Il hated to leave Washington so socn
after making public the conditions existing
in Pretoria and why left there. but 1 was
suffering from an attack of malarial fever.
and thought that the best place for me was
at home. As soon as | was well enough |
returned to Washington and will remain
here eight or ten days. l think in that
time the whole question OF why left South
Africa will be made clear to the public.
and that my course will be vindieated.
You ask me If expect 10 return to
South Africa? / am not sure yet what
viii do. | will finish what work / have in
Washington first. and then | will deter
mine upon what will do in the future. I
nave not called upon the President nor the
Secretary Of State yet, and am not sure
that | will. but | may be able to tel YOU
more about my actions when 1 see the an
swer OF the State Department.
called on Representative Wheeler to !
talk over the matter with him. but we
reached no understanding as to what we (;
would DO in the future
Representative Wheeler said that Mr.. |
Nacrum had called upon him at his hotel. |
and that they had talked over the charges !
made by Mr.. Macrum against the State
Department. but that he was not able to
state at present the result OF their con-
terence.
The resolution introduced by myself 1
,alling for an explanation from the Sec-e-
ary OF State of Mr.. Macrum's charges" !
:aid Mr.. Wheeler. was reported by the
Committee on Foreign Affairs today, and
vas agreed to. 1t row rests with the Sec
-etary of State to take what action he
links best but until his reply is for
Sarded to the House there is nothing more
or me to do. When the Secretary's reply
received | will be In a position to take
urther action. If necessary. | have no
eason to doubt Mr.. Maerum's statements.
nd tie question is now up to the Secre-
airy Of State to answer