New-York tribune., 1900-01-30
BOER WAR IN THE SENATE.
ALLEGED UTTERANCES OF A BRITISH
CONSUL CAUSE LIVELY DEBATE
rBr rrLpeRArH TO THE rR1BuNr.l

alleged
sui at New Orleans in which that functionary
was apparently betrayed into some uncompli-
mentary and uncalled for illusions to certain of
Mr. Mason's recent utterances of sympathy with
the Boer cause. The most interesting point made
by the speaker had, however, nothing to do with
the original cause of his displeasure. Mr.. Mason
declared that in his opinion the ratification of
The Hague Treaty of Arbitration would put the
United States in a good position to offer mecia-
ton in South Africa. and announced that he
would do his utmost to force the speedy ap-
proval of that convention.
THE CoNsUEs ALLEGED CRITICISM.
Mr. Mason, at the close of routine business.
rose 10 question OF personal privilege. He had
read a newspaper clipping Of an interview with
the British Consul at New Orleans In the
course Of the interview the Consul 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 the
war In South Africa. That position was as
sumed. the Consul was quoted saying, simply
because the American people were mercenary
To-day they favorable to the Beers be-
cause they had achieved a little success; to-
morrow they would be just as favorable to the
British when they had achieved victory. The
Consul considered particularly bombastic the
utterances of certain Senators of the United
States. and declared, according to the interview
that when Senator Mason adopted the role of
mountebank and encouraged the half civilized"
people he did simply for show and for
votes"
Mr.. Mason said the Consuls utterance was
scarcely worth attention, except that he was
Of the accredited representatives Of a great
nation to this country. "It is not the first
time' he declared, that a British diplomat
has attempted to this country. So far
me led
have no concern. They do honor. The
venomous attacks by the British upon me and
those who think like me, the more made
the subjects Of British stupidity and asininity
the sooner will all the American people get on
the right side of the controversy. Cheap men
VINO come to this country in diplomatic or con-
sular capacity and misquote the utterances of
Senators only accentuate the arrogance and
cowardice Of those people"
SYMPATHY FOR THE BoERs
Further along. Mr.. Mason said that according
TO the best information obtanable the people Of
Scotland, those of Ireland and 95 per cent of the
people of America were in sympathy with the
Beers in their contest with Great Britain. 81
want to say" said Mr.. Mason, 81 ask for no
special defence from the State Department in
this matter. for with the help of God Til try to
take care Of myself. There is one thing that
should like to inquire about. What has become
of the Arbitration Treaty that was submitted to
this Senate? I am toldsthat the United States
Government cannot mediate in this war until
that treaty has been ratified. If that is so, I
want that treaty discovered and ratified, SO that
that barrier against mediation shall be re-
moved"
Mr.. Mason then adverted to the resolution of
sympathy with the Beers which he had offered
early in the session. He urged the Committee
on Foreign Relations. to which the resolution
had been referred, to make report upon it, in
order that vote might be had upon it. If it
was not fair, he urged the committee to make it
fair, but he did not want to believe that it was
buried in the committee, the London news
papers had announced the morning after its in
PRODUCTION.
Don't take that child to the graveyard"
urged Mr. Mason, "for 1 give you notice now
that there will be a resurrection of it every day
after this week. You'll have chance to think
about it at least once every day unless you go
to the cloakrooms while discuss it."
SERIOUS MATTER, SAYS MR. HOAR.
Mr.. Hoar regarded the utterance of the Brit
ish Consul as very serious, IAN attack in fact
upon the character of a United States Senator
and upon the American people" 1t seemed to
him that, inasmuch the matter had been
brought officially to the attention of the Senate.
ii ought to be referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations so that the committee might
bring ii to the attention Of the President He
thought IT might be a proper ground for the
revocation of the British ConsuIs exeouatur
and perhaps 1t might properly be made a sub
joct 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 expressed his regret
that Mr.. Mason had made his impassioned at
tack on a friendly nation. It was natural that
Mr.. Mason's kindly sympathies should be
strongly stirred, he said, by the brave Beers
struggling against a great empire but the Sen
ate was part Of the diplomatic power of this
Government, and IL such utterances were made
here he doubted the efficacy of any offers Of
mediation that might be made by the United
States.
1T does seem to me- said Mr.. Hoar ito be a
logical position TO assume. 1 have hoped thai
the time would come when either mediation be-
tween Great Britain and the Transvaal Should
be offered by the Government or the posi-
tion OF the American people would be made SO
clear as to bring about peace. suppose the at
titude Of the people Of the United States toward
those Of Great Britain is one almost Of attach
ment and love-"
Mr.. Hoar said that If Great Britain were
wrong In the present contest she was regarded
by patriotic people precisely as they would re-
gard their own Government If they were wrong
he did not believe he said, in the doctrine NY
country, right or wrong" and did not think the
people believed in IL.
In a brief speech Mr.. Lodge said that about
three years ago the Spanish Minister I'm Wash
ington had made attack on Senator's ''I re-
garoed that attack" said Mr.. Lodge ''as highly
improper. and called the attention of the Sen
ate 70 IL Spain was then engaged in pressing
The life out OF Cuba, but that was not the reason
spoke. I thought the attention OF the Senate
ought 70 be called to the subject because did
not believe diplomatic or consular officials had
right TO attack Senators in such a. manner /
have not changed my opinion. This is a matter
of which ought TO take cognizance IT is no
better q hon