Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-29


letters He produced the envelope
which he said contained these letters
enc was from private citizen ad-
dressed to the United States consul al
Pretoria and the other was from Con-
sui stowe at Cape Town.
William Alden Smith Of Michigan
Intercepted the witness sharply OF
the reasons for stating his belief that
the British authorities had possession
If the state department cipher.
Nj. Macrum said he could not affirm
that fact from actual knowledge, but
there were certain facts which con
WINGED him that such was the case
He explained thlt, Nov. 6, he had ca
Sled the state department in cipher
asking for 4 leave Of absence. That
message had gone through Durham
The next day. Nov 7. he said, he had
been informed newspaper ut Durham
printed the fact that he had asked
for leave 81 absence.
Mr.. Smith interrogatcd Mr.. Macrum
as to tn" character of the code used by
him in his dispatch. especially as Ia
whether he had used what was known
as the Slater code, a common code pur-
chasablc anywhere.
The message" said Mr.. Macrum.
was sent in the state department
cipher of the Slater code
And You claim the substance of that
dispatch was made public" asked Mr..
Smith.
Il do"
In Natal was it an accurate publ
cation
II do not know"
Mr.. Macrum said he had never seen
the publication. He had only been in
formed that the fact that he had asked
leave of absence had been printed. He
affirmed that no one knew of this fact
save himself Mr.. Macrum stated that
he had been granted leave of absence
of Sec. Hay, Nov. -. He read to the
committee a message from the cable
company saying a cipher cable sent by
him 10 the sccretay Of state. Dec /.
had been held UP by the military cen
sor until Dec >. Asked if other con
suls had suffered any Inconvenience in
the matter of communicating with
their home governments, Mr.. Macrum
said they had.
Did you report to the state depart
mcnt that your mail had been
opcncd?" asked Mr.. Berry of Ken
lucky.
II did not"
did sou mention it upon your ar
rival in Washington?
Il did not"
Why"
Il would prefer not to answer that
question
This reply raised Il general laugh in
the room.
Mr.. Adams Of Pennsylvania. then
proceeded to cross-qucstion Mr. Ma
crum rather severely upon the duty Of
a consul 10 remain at his post during
complications.
Mr.. Macrum proceeded to describe
an alleged meeting between President
Stcyn of the Orange Free State and
Consul stowe of cape Town, at which
he was present in which he said Stcyn
was very anxious that Stowe should
do something 10 settle the difficulty
which was brewing. lie said that
President Stcyn suggested an appeal to
the President Of tho United States ana
that Mr.. Stowe had replied that he
would be glad if some such thing could
be done.
And | have reason to believe that
the question was submitted to the
President Of the United States" added
Mr. Macrum. "and that he returned an
unfavorable reply"
What makes you say that?" in
quircd Mr.. Hit.
Il was told 50 by Mr.. Stowe"
WAS that statement in writing?"
at was"
Have you the letter."
NO. it is in the files of the Pretoria
consulate"
After further questioning. Mr.. Ma
crum said he might have 4 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
relative to his leave. but as these Were
in the cipher OF the department. the COM
mittee did not call for them. He stated
that his reason for not making Il 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. I'LL responded that this
was true. Under such circumstances. Mr.
Mlcrum said, he had no report to make
to the department. lie endeavored. how
ever. t. SEQ the secretary Of state, but
was told that Mr.. Hay was out. After
hearing Mr.. MJcrum. the committee went
into executive session. Chairman Hit
presented a letter from See. Hay giving
in detail the departments views on the
subject. The committee took no action
as to making a report. and it was stated
by members that there was nothing to be
done beyond taking the testimony.
Secretary Hays letter giving the officia
view of the case is as follows:
Washington. March q. 1900
Hon. r. r. Hit, Chairman Committee or
Foreign Affairs, House of Representa-
tiVeS:
Sir-fn response 10 your inquiries Of
this morning. | have the honor to report
that up to this date. Mr. Macrum. late
consul Of the United States at Pretoria
plrtment in regard to the opening of hi.
mail by the British authorities.
Although without any Information cX-
ccpt the allegations Of Mr.. MaCrum. t
wlich a reference was made IN reSOlu.
ton Of the House of Representatives.
making certain inquiries of This depart
rHent. | mentioned tn. matter to the
british ambassador. who made inquiry ii
regard To IL OF the British government
ana WAS inrurmeI IN return that tn,
British government was not aware Of any
such incident having taken place but i