The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-27
Secretary of State Did Know
About Macrum's Letters
Notwithstanding Repeated De-
malls of Such knowledge.
TOOK PROMPT ACTION.
Called England's Attention to
the Matter.
An Apology Followed Through
Lord PauncefOte.

New York, March PA special to
the Journal from Washington says:
The statement that England had
apologized for the opening of Consul
Macrum's mail at Pretoria was made
by Secretary Hay to Representative
Berry of Kentucky, one of the Demo-
cratic members of the foreign affairs
committee. Mr.. Berry called at the
state department today to talk over
the charges made by Mr. Macrum, and
it was during this interview that Secre-
tary Hay made the confession.
I saw Secretary Hay today" said
Mr.. Berry, in talking of the proposed
hearing, land he said that the whole
ground work of Mr.. Macrum's charges
rested upon the fact that three letters
had been opened by English officials in
south Africa
Secretary Hay said that England's
attention had been called to this viola
ton of international law and tina. Lord
salisbury had made an investigation
and had sent an apology to this coun-
try The apology was delivered at the
state department by Lord Pauncefote."
Mr.. Macrum called upon Chairman
HIT and consulted with him as to when
nc would be ready to appear before the
committee As a result of the confer
ence the committee will meet in day
oI two. The whole committee will hear
ne testimony and the proceedings VIII
be public instead of the charges being
heard privately.
DIDN'T WAIT TO BE ASKEL
Washington, March 27.-It is said at
the state department. regarding the
story that Great Britain has apolOgiZed
to this government for the action OF
the censor in opening letters addressed
to the consul at Pretoria. that the Uni
ted States government has made no de-
mand upon the British government for
an apology as the officials say that Mr.
Macrum, who was consul at Pretoria,
ject, and thus the state department has
nothing official before it to serve as a
basis for demand for an apology
AS stated before, however. the British
government itself voluntarily took no.
tice of Macrum's complaint. ana finding
that, as an incident to the transfer of a
large quantity of mail from Durham
(Which was the place where our consul
lar mail was usually landed) to Cape
Town, resulting in great congestion,
and the handling of mail by new agents
there had been an indiScriminate open
ing of letters which probably had af-
fected the consular mail with others.
Lord Pauncefote, speaking for his gov
ernment, disavowed the action of the
censor, and declared that it was un-
authorized in respect to Mr.. Macrum' )
mail. This assurance was given long
ago. and some of the members of the
house committee on foreign affairs were
made acquainted with it at the time.
LONDON DENIES IT.
London, March 27-6:I p. M.-The
report, published in the United States.
that Lord Salisbury has apologized for
| the opening of American consular mail
in South Africa is untrue. Nothing
whatever has passed between the two
| governments on this matter, and the
| British premier has taken no action to
| investigate the allegations.
| A printed fac simile of letter to Mr.
| Macrum alleged to have been opened,
was given to Lord Salisbury by a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press. but
he made no comment. nor did he direct
that anything be done.