The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-11
ASsUR RANCES CIV E n.
land BY Force Of Arms
AGAINST ANY Coal ON
WASHINGTON

ssWAsHINGroN. D., c.. Jan. 1o.
special.-1f a renort, based as is believed
on absolutely reliable information, is con-
,tfirrned, the much-talked-of agreement be-
tween the British government and the
Mckinney administration, amounting
practically to "a defensive and offensive
alliance, is an accomplished fact.
The admission that the United States
will support England in any position re-
sultins from her with the South At.
rican republics, in order to maintain her
prestige and attitude as world power,
has been made, according to this report,
by Secretary Hay, Of the State Depart
nnent, to at least one, IL not number
OF foreign representatives here.
It is learned that Great Britain hats
become thoroughly alarmed over the turn
which her campaign in South Africa
has 50 unexpectedly taken. and IS now
apprehensiye that coalition will be
formed among certain of the European
powers to take advantage OF her debili-
tated position.
$50 ASSURANCES GIVEN.
In this state of heart the Salisbury
government has appealed to the President
to stand by England. under the existing
agreement, against Russia, France, and
possibly Germany. and assurances have
been given that. the United States will not
see England embarrassed.
r. To give the necessary emphasis to this
position, it's said, Secretary Hay has in
formed the European Ambassadors that
this country will support Great Britain
be force of arms, if need be, to main
tain her power. on the plea that this
government regards the integrity Of Great
Britain necessary to the peace OF the
world.
While lis .pEebable that the admins
tration will deny the accuracy OF this
sta tement, the information comes with
exceptionally credible assurances of its
entire truthfulness, and is further offered
as an explanation why this government is
almost supine in the matter Of the seizure
of American flour and the sudden as-
gressiveness of British cruisers upon Ger
man merchant ships.
EyENTFUL CONSEQUENCES
In this connection the appointment of
Secretary Hays son as consul to Pretoria
is brought Up as question likely to be
fraught with eventfu1 consequences It is
well known to active Boer sympathisers
here that young Hay was for three hours
in consultaticnTwith John Hay Hammond,
the American engineer arrested In the
Transvaaf OH a charge OF treason, and
that on his arrival III London he kept in
close touch with the British foreign Office
and it is said, received much attention
there prior to setting sail for Cape Town
All this is we'll known to the friends Of
the South African republics. and has. no
doubt been communicated to the Trans
avaal and Free State governments. It IS
predicted that young Hay viii not be
granted his eSequator- and will not be
allowed to act as consul.
PERSONA NON GRATA-
In diplomatic circles it is regarded as an
sunlleard of proceedings to appoint the
son of a former ambassador to. England
to diplomatic position in q country
which is at wars5with England. This Of
Itself, unless the Transvaal government
were firmly persuaded of The friendly spirit
of the American Secretary Of state, would
warrant it in refusing to receive him.
sRut tkS fact that young Hay is known
to have been in conference With Ham
mon.t, convicted of high treason against
the Transvaal after his appo.r\S \Sment and
prior to his departure and that he spent
days in London in close communication
with the foreign officials of Great Britain,
removes al doubt that he will be persona
non i,rata and that tlle-republic Will ~
permit him to discharge the duties of con-
s;si. especially as the consulate there has
now assumed a iplomatic charac-
ter.
ANOTHER POINT
Still another point in the relations nov
$suhsisting between this government and
s tie fighting republics is cited az of special
imEortance-the. announcement that Act
! ing Consul Hollis at Pretoria IS not pei
nitted to act as the diplomatic agent Of
e tho United States III looking after British
interests, in such instances as the dis
bllrsement of money to tae- British prs
orers, except in his private capacity
is POINTED out that this government refus-s
ed to recognize the diplomatic agent of
the Transvaal when an attempt5was made
BY President: Kruger to secure the medt-55
alton Of this country in behalf of peace.
I:nder this condition the United States, 1t
IS contended. has no right TO expect the
Transvsai republic to recognize the acts
OF an American diplouIatic agent. there
being no diplomatic relations pecially
Z IL it .int7rseress and is aimed to prevent
che republic from dealing direct with It's
enemy at q critical stage OF the war fun
OF ADVANTAGES to itself.