Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-03-01
HAY MAKES FLAT DENIAL.
Secretary of State Knows of No De-
lay or Opening Of Ex-Consul
Macrum's Mail.
THE ALLIANCE STORY IS ALSO DENIED.
Declares That the United States Has
No Secret Agreement with Great
Britain or Any other Country
Statement Is Made in Response to
q House Resolution.

Washington, Feb. .2.-The answer
of the state department to the house
resolution calling for information re-
sarding certain charges made by Late
Consul Macrum was transmitted o the
house Wednesday by the president.
1t is signed by Secretary Hay, and after
reciting the resolution says:
Answering the first part of the resolu-
ton: The department OF state has been in
regular communication by mail and tele-
graph with Charles T. A1acrum. late consul
of the United States at Pretoria, South At
rican republic, since his entrance upon
the duties of the office. Communications
made to him have been answered ana the
execution of instructions sent has been re-
ported by him. His dispatches TO the de-
partmeEt, forwarded through the consulate
at Lorenzo Marques, have during that
time been regularly received. The only in
stance OF complaint in respect 10 the
transit of the mails for Lorenzo Marques
and Pretoria was in November last when
a temporary stoppase OF the mails occurred
at Cape Town, against which Mr.. Macrum
and the consul at Lorenzo Marques pro-
tested. Arrangements were made for the
prompt delivery of the consular mails TO
the United States consul genera. a, Cape
Town, by whom the mail for Mr.. Hollis and
Mr.. Macrum was forwarded TO Lorenzo
Marques.
Delay Only Temporary.
THE delay lasted but few days, and
has not REQUIRED, sc far as the department
is advised. After that time the depart
ment's mail for Lorenzo Marques; and Pre-
toria was Sent by neutral route, which. it
appears, was known and open TO Mr.
Macrum anG Mr.. fIcitis as carly AS Novem-
Der IL last. No obstacle, therefore. is here
known 10 have existed since then to Mr.
Macrum's unhampered correspondence
With the department OF state. ~ no time
While at his post did Mr.. Macrum report
to the department, any i@siarce OF Violation
by opening or otherwise of his official mail
by the British censor at Durham or by
any person or persons whatsoever there
or elsewhere. Neither has he SO reported
since he left Pretoria, although having the
amplest opportunity 10 do SO by mail while
on the way home ard in person when he
reported to the department upon his re-
turn.
No Secret Alliance.
Answering the second part of the afore-
said resolution. the undersigned secretary
Of state. has the honor to say that there is
no truth in the charge that secret alli-
ance exists between the republic of the
United States and the empire of Great
Britain: that no form of secret alliance is
possible under the constitution Of the
United States, inasmuch treaties require
the advice and consent OF the senate. and
finally, that no secret alliance, convention,
arrangement or understanding exists be-
tween the United States and any other ma
ton. JOHN HAY.
department of State. February 20. 1900. "
No Knowledge of interference.
The presidents message Wednesday
conveying a report of the secretary OF
state in answer to the Macrum reso-
lution of the house of representatives
gave a categorical answer to the ques
tons embodied in the resolution and
did not refer to the action of the de-
part ment in relation to the matter
IL has since been given out at the state
department that inquiries set on foot
Immediately after the publication of
Macrum's first statement developed
the fact that the British government
had no knowledge of any interference
with the correspondence of the United
States consulate at Pretoria, and the
additional fact that if any such inter
ference had taken place it was con
trary to Instructions