The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-29

Says United States Refused.
Mr.. Macrum proceeded to describe an
alleged meeting between President Steyn
VI the Orange Free State and Consul
Stowe of Cape Town, at which he was
present and he, Steyn, was very anxious
that Stowe should do something to settle
the difficulty which was brewing He said
that President Steyn suggested an APP
peal to the President of the United States
and that Mr.. Stowe had replied that he
would be glad if some such thing could be
done.
And 1 have reason to believe that the
| question was submitted to the President
| iof the United States" added Mr. Macrum,
land that he returned an unfavorable
reply"
what makes you say that?" inquired
Mr.. Hit.
II was told so by Col. Stowe"
"Was that statement in writing?"
at was
"Have you the letter."
mo, it is in the files of the Pretoria
| consulate"
After further questioning Mr.. Macrum
said he might have a copy of the letter;
| he could not say positively. Subsequently
he said he thought he could produce it in
| short time.
| Mr.. Macrum went over the exchange of
| kilograms with the state department rel
alive to his leave. But as these We're in
the cipher of the department, the commit
tee did not call for them.
| He stated that his reason for not MAX
| ing a report to the state department on
the conditions in South Africa was that
when he called on Assistant Secretary Hill
he said to Mr.. Hill that he understood he
had been relieved MIR. Hill responded that
| this was true. Under such circumstances,
Mr.. Macrum said, ne had no report to
! make to the department. He endeavored,
| however Secretary nj State
but was told that Mr.. Hay was out
| Secretary Hays Statement.
After hearing Mr.. Macrum, the commit
| tee went into executive session. Chair
man Hit presented a letter from Secre-
! tary Hay giving in detail the depart
ment's view of the subject and this was
! subsequently made public. The committee
took no action as to making a report, and
| II was stated by members that there was
nothing to be done beyond taking the tes-
! timony. Secretary Hays letter giving the
| official view of the case is as follows:
! washington, March "a. 190O.-Hon. r.
r. Hit, chairman. Committee on Foreign
Affairs. House of Representatives.: Sir
! In response to your inquiries of this
morning I have the honor to report that
up to this date Mr.. Macrum, late consul
of the United States at Pretoria, has
made no representations to this depart
ment in regard to the opening of his mail
| by the BRUSH authorities.
Although without any information ex-
cept the allegations of Mr.. Macrum TO
| which a reference was made in a resolu-
ton OF the House of Representatives,
making certain inquiries of this depart
ment. / mentioned the matter TO the Brit
ish ambassador, who made inquiry in re-
gard 90 1t of the British government and
was informed in return that the British
government were not aware of such in
cident having taken place, but If any
thing of the sort had occurred It was con-
trary to the instructions of that govern
ment.
Il received no further information in
regard to the matter until the 21st of
this month. when this government was
informed by a dispatch from Mr.. J. G.
Stowe, consul general OF the United
States at Cape Town. that two letters
from this consulate, one to Pretoria and
one to Lorenzo Marquee, were opened by
the censor at Durham. Upon notice OF
this l called upon the high commissioner,
who wired Durham and a very satisfac-
tory apology was returned. This is all
the information possessed by this depart
ment In regard to the incident.
suggestions of Mediation.
'In reference to certain allegations as
| to our consus in South Africa having
| been approached with suggestions of me-
diation, / have the honor TO reply that in
a dispatch Of the 80 Of October received
| at this department on the 9th Of Novem-
Der and the only one on our file relating
to this matter, Mr.. Stowe reported as
follows:
Under the date Of Sept. 26. I received
| from the United States consular agent
at Bloemfontein Orange Free State,
| letter which reads as follows; I saw
President Steyn this afternoon by his re-
quest, and he would like to have you
find out az once II your tmy) govern
ment Will consent for you TO act as arbi-
traitor, and II you can also find out II
the high commissioner would also con
sent. The President appears to think
whatever Is done should be done ~ once.