The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-21
Convention of 1854 Bsrs the Trans
vaai from Establishing Diplomatic
Relations with Any Power.
NEW BILLS BEFORE CONGRESS
MEASURES INTRODUCED yEsTER-
DAY IN BEHALF OF INDIANIANs.
Bill by n CoIored Representative
That Proposes 10 Make Lynching
Treason-Crop Acreage.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2o.-Montague
White. consul of the Transvaal Republic
at London, is in Washington as the ac-
credited diplomatic representative of the
South African Republic. His presence in
that capacity occasions much speculation
whether the State Department will receive
him in an official capacity. The weight OF
opinion among those conversant with dip
lomatic usages is that our government cam
not recognize a diplomatic representative
OF the Transvaal
According to the convention OF 1854 be-
tween Great Britain and the Transvaal the
former country was accorded the privi-
lege of passing on any treaties the Trans
vaal might make, except with its neigh
Dor. the Orange Free State. Our govern
ment is obliged to recognize this arrange
ment. Had the Transvaal established Dip
lomatic relations with this country after
1884 and before the outbreak of the present
war they would have been continued de-
spite war. But to receive diplomatic rep
resentative of the Transvaal now is a
very different proposition. 1t would be re-
garded as an unfriendy act towards a
friendly nation, it would be in effect
a notification by our government OF the
convention of 1884 between the warring
countries and an assumption Of the right
TO enter into treaty with the Transvaal
without regard TO Great Britain's right
of veto of such treaty under that conven-
ton. Besides there is grave doubt as TO
the constitutional power OF the executive
to take such action In the absence OF spe-
cifc authority by Congress. inasmuch as
such action might possibly be construed
by Great Britain as an act OF war.
1t Is true the United States has a con-
sui at Pretoria, but he is charged with
no diplomatic standing. Consus~>are COM
mercial, not diplomatic, agents of the
country employing them. The President or
the secretary of state can receive Mr..
White as private person, but not as
Diplomatic representative OF the Transvaal.
In receiving him in an unofficial capacity
no offense can be taken by Great Britain.
while quite as much can be effected in
that way as though he were form
ally received as the diplomatic rep
resentative of the government at Pretoria.
Mr.. Whites position is somewhat compi-
Gated by the fact that he is subject OF
Great Britain, and not citizen OF the
Transvaaf Republic. His reception in
private capacity by the President will sat
isfy the sentiment of the country while
it can give no just offense TO the British
government.
There is some talk I'm Congress OF that
body taking action toward recognizing the
two South African republics--the Trans
vaal and the Orange Free State. as inde-
pendent states and in no wise under the
suzerainty of Great Britain. Whether def
mite action In this direction be taken viii
probably depend on what happeiis in South
Africa in the near future.
The State Department has been informed
that Consul Adelbert Hay sailed to-day
from Cape Town for DeIagoa bay. He viii
take the railroad from Lourenzo Marques
for Pretoria. relieving Mr.. Hollis there.
An echo OF the war of the rebellion is
found in a bill to pay certain claims against
the government introduced in the House
by Representative Lamb. OF Virginia
Among the claims the bill proposes to pay
is that of Mary A Coulson, executrix and
sole legatee of Sewell Coulson. deceased.
late of Sullivan, Ind, for $3.50. beinc- the
amount due for professional services in the
defense OF a military officer and the men
of his command in Indiana State courts
during the civil war.
Representative Miers. to-day introduced
bills TO pension Louisa Meloy. widow OF
james A Meloy, Company D.. Eighty-see-
ond Indiana Volunteers. at $l2 monthly;
James a. Bell. father OF William Bell.
Company d, Seventh Indiana Cavalry. at
s2i monthly: Thomas a. Queen, Company
X, e-hundred-and-forty-t Indiana
Volunteers. at s2l monthly; John III. Hay
den, helpless and dependent child OF John
f. Hayden. Company Z. observation-disclosures
thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, at 81
monthly; Mary A Edmonson. widow OF
Crispen ellis OF the Indiana State Militia.
who died while in the service OF the United
States during the Morgan raid through In
diana in July, 1868. the same as the widow
OF a private soldier
Representative White, OF North Carolina.
the colored representative IN the House,
to-day introduced bill FOR the protection
of all citizens of the United States against
mob violence" IL provides that all persons
shall be protected from being murdered
tortured or burned 10 death by mobf
known as "lynching bees whether spon
taneous or premeditated. and all parties
participating. aiding or abetting in sucl
affairs arc made guilty OF treason against
the United States government and subject
10 prosecution In the United States courts.
Mr.. Cummings. OF New York. introduced
bill for the purchase OF twenty torpedo
boats OF the Holland type. OF which i've
are TO be assigned for the protection OF
New York city. Other House bills intro
dueed were by Mr.. Loud. OF California. for