Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-18

Quiry asking for copies of letters on file at
the State Department from citizens of the
United States resident in the South African
republic was transmitted by the President
yesterday.
DIR. Loeser's Complaint.
The first complaint IN the correspondence
consisted of letter of ex-Consul Macrum.
under date of January 6. 1892 to Assistant
Secretary Hill transmitting the complaint
of DIR. II. A Loeser that he was not per-
nlitted to practice medicine in Johannes
burg. IN fact was forced to abandon
large and lucrative practice because of the
action of the medical authorities. Assist
ant Secretary Cridler replied under date of
February IS, 1880, that any country had the
right to prescribe the qualifications of med
3cal practitioners, and II DIR. Loeser did
not see fit to comply with the requirements
ae ne 1s saw MT No 1r FOR acton
the attestation of the state of New York
license to DR.. IOeSer to practice hoping Il
would be Of service In securing his regis
tration as a physician. Extended CORE
spondence with State Secretary Reitz, but
without apparent definite results, followed.
Property Taken From Nelson Thomp-
son.
Assistant Secretary Cr!dler wrote to Con-
sui Macrum on March IS 1899, approving
a demand made for the immediate return
Of property taken from. Mr.. Nelson Thomp-
son, but directing that no further decisive
action be taken until the facts were learned
and reported April l. Mr.. Macrum wrote
that certainly halt should be called on
such action, especially to American citi-
zens." letter from Thompson the claim
ant, to Mr.. Macrum states that he will APP
peal to the South African League for as
sIstance II no other redress Is given.
The Transvanl Apologized.
July @, last Mr.. Macrum wrote of a
Gr0.ri tnd
secretary. in which the latter apologized for
the action Of a field cornet against an
American citizen, Joseph F. Gezzam. The
latter on seeking to register. was told that
he must state his choice between serving
the South African republic or Great Brit
ain In case of war. He declined and the
held eornet attempted to coerce him. final
Iy putting Gezzam down unwilling TO
serve the republic and notifying him that
in case of war all neutrals would be driven
out Of the country"
Foreign Secretary Grobler later wrote an
apology and condemnation of Field Cornet
Fouries course Mr. Macrum writes that
such an example will be made of the err
ing field cornet that in the future men in
that office will be decidedly more careful
In their actions especially toward Ameri-
cans A late letter from Foreign Secre-
iary Grooler is given. explaining the affair
IN detail and expressing regret
Americans Liable to Impressment
August II last Mr.. Macrum cabled Sec
rotary Hay: over 1000 Americans liable
to be impressed into service, in case of
war, which appears imminent Commu-
nication will be destroyed. Strong repre-
sentaucns. should be made this govern
ment Immediately to protect life, property
and dignity of American citizens
August % Acting. Secretary Adee replied |
by cable as follows:
If 1t becomes necessary. protest against |
impressment of American citizens found in |
Transvaal territory inso military service. |
defensive or offensive. against any civilized |
power, unless such citizens have exercised |
political privileges and assumed political
obligations toward the government i'm
PRESSING them
as a decree soon followed forbidding the
Communicating of aliens"
II. e. l.. Browns Claim.
The letters called for date from January |
i, 1889. Secretary Hay In his letter to the |
President inclosing the correspondence |
says: The only complaint, within the de- |
scriptiOn of the resolution. which has been |
directly filed in the department Is that of |
X E. l.. Brown. who, July 10. 1899 pre-
ferred a claim against the South African
republic in the sum of 81 SO 2S4 on account |
of alleged Illegal refus al to renew a mining
lease The other complaints of the de-
scriPed character have been transmitted to
the Department of State by the United
States consul at Pretoria, with whom they
lodged ~