The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-30
ATTACK ON MASON RESENTED
SENATOR'S DISCUSS nRITIsH VICE
CONSUL'S LETTER.

and Race Questions.
Washington Jan GA newspaper in
terview with the British vice consul at
New Orleans assailing Senator Mason,
Republican of Illinois, for his pro-Trans-
yaal attitude, was made the text to-day
in the Senate for a question Of privilege
by Mr.. Mason, who not only attacked the
consul but TIE British policy in levying
war upon an inferior nation. The con-
several speeches.
A feature of the days proceedings was
a forceful Filipino speech by Mr.. Till
man of South Carolina.
M. Pett grew of South Dakota present
cd a resolution calling upon the Presi-
dent If not incompatible with public in
terests to inform the Senate If the people
of Samoa had been consulted with refer
ence to the treaty regarding the Samoan
Islands The resolution went over.
Under a special order resolutions pre-
sented by Mr.. Allison of Iowa, for the
election of Charles c. Bennett Of New
Yo-k as secretary of the Senate, and Dan
el NJ. Ranslell of Indiana, sergeant-at-
arms were adopted without division.
They will qualify about Feb. 1.
Mason Raised "a Question.
Mr. Mason of Illinois roSe to a question
of personal privilege He had read II
newspaper clipping of an interview with
the British consul at New Orleans, who
was quoted as saying that the British
public was disgusted with the position
taken by the American people and some
of the senators in Congress on the subject
of the BritshTransvaal war. That posi-
ton was assumed, the consul was quoted
as saying, simply because the American
people We're mercenary. To-day they were
favorable to the Beers, because they had
achieved little success; tomorrow they
would be Just as favorable to the British
when they had achieved victory. The
consul considered as particularly bombas-
tic the utterances of certain senators Of
the United States, and declared. accord
ing to the interview, that when Senator
Mason adopted the role of a mountebank
and encouraged the "half-civiized" peo-
pie, he did so simply for "show and for
votes.'
Mr.. Mason said the consuls utterances
were scarcely worth attention except that
he was one of the accredited representa-
tlNeS OF a great 1NdllOn 10 ltlS county.
1T is not the first time" declared Mr.
Mason, chat a British diplomat has at
tempted to run this country. So far as his
personal attacks upon me are concerned,
| have no concern. They do me honor
The more yenomous attacks by the Br t
ish upon me and those who think like me;
the more we are made the subjects Of
British stupidity and assinity, the sooner
viii all the American people get on The
right side of the controversy.
Cheap men who come 10 this country
i'm diplomatic or consular capacity and mis-
quote the utterances of senators only &C.
centuate the arrogance and cowardice Of
those people"
Wants the Treaty Ratified.
Further along Mr. Mason said that ac-
cording to the best information obtaina-
ble the people of Scotland, those of Ire
land, and IS per cent. of the people of
America were in sympathy with the Beers
in their contest with Great Britain At
ter suggesting that ne needed no special
defense from the state department in this
matter. he wanted to know what has be-
come of the arbitration treaty that was
submit: ed to this Senate.
II am told" he said, that the United
States government cannot mediate in this
war until that treaty has been ratified. If
that is so / want that treaty discovered
and ratified so that that barrier against
mediation shall be removed"
Mr.. Mason then adverted TO the resoip-
ton of sympathy with the Beers which
had been offered early in the session. He
urged the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, to which the resolution had been re-
ferred TO make a report upon it, in order
that vote might be had upon il. IL it
was not fair he urged the committee to
make IL fair, but he did not want to be-
lieve that il was buried in the committee
as the London newspapers had announced
the morning after its Introduction.
Don't take that child TO the grave
yard" urged Mr. Mason. "for / give you
notice now that there will be a resurrec-
tion of it every day after this week. You'n
have "a chance TO think about it at least
once every day unless you go to the cloak
rooms while ] discuss it,"
Hoar Looks on IL as Serious.
Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts regarded the
utterance of the British consul as very
serious. "an attack, in fact, upon the
character of a United states senator and
upon the American people"
IL seemed to him that inasmuch as the
matter had been brought officially 20 the
attention of the Senate, it ought to be re-
ferred TO the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions. so that that committee might bring
It to the attention of the President He
thought IT might be a proper ground for
the revocation OF the British consuPs ex-
equntur and perhaps it might properly be
made a subject Of representations to the
government Of Great Britain.
Mr.. Hoar then moved that the matter
be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. Continuing Mr.. Hoar express
ed his regret that Mr.. Mason had made
his impassioned attack upon a friendly
nation The Senate was a part Of the
diplomatic power Of this government, and
II such utterances were made here he
doubted the efficacy Of any offers Of rnedi-
alton that might be made by the United
States.
1T does not seem to me-" said Mr.. Hoar
'to be "A logical position TO assume /
have hoped that the time would come
when either mediation between Great Bri-
tain and the Transvaal should be offer
ed by the government or that the posi-
tlon Of the American people would be
made so clear as TO bring about peace"
Mr.. Hoar said that II Great Britain We're
wrong in the. present contest she was re-
garded by patriotN Americans precisely
as they would regard their own govern
ment il it were wrong.
should Take COEniznnce of II.
In a brief speech. Mr. Lodge said thet
Gnauigh mi