The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-02-02
AFTER THE ..
BRITISH CONSUL.
masons Guns Turned on New
Orleans Official.
MAY BE GIVEN HIS XrQUATOR.
us Attacked the Illinois SEN tor For His
Pro-Bocr Expressions --Hoar aud Lodge
Protested Against the Bri ish omciars
Action-PIatt Reproved Mason.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.--Senator Ma.
son. of Illinois, rose to question of
personal privilege, in the senate, and
had newspaper clipping of an inter.
view with the British consul at New Or
leans, saying that the British public
was disgusted with the position taken
by the American people an some of the
senators III congress on the subject of
the British -Transvaal war. That posi-
tion was ass ume1, the consul was
quoted as saying, because the American
people were mercenary. Today they
were favorable to the Beers because
they had achieved little success: to-
morrow they would be just as favorable
to the British when they had achieved
victory. The consul also attacked Sena-
tor Mason specifically.
/ want TO say i ASA for no special defense
from the state department in this matter for
with the help of God, I'll try to take care of
myself. But there is one thing that should
like TO inquire about. What has become of
the arbitration treaty that was submitted to
this senate ? am told that the United States
government can not 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 urged the committee
on foreign relations, TO whicn his reso-
luton OF sympathy with the Beers mad
been referred, to make "a report upon 1t,
in order that vote might be had upon it,
Mr.. Mason said the consul's utterance
was scarcely worth attention, except
tnat he was one OF the accredited repre-
sentatives OF great natlou to this
country.
Mr.. Mason further said:
1t is not the first time tnat British diplo-
maj has attempted to run this country; SO far
as his personal attacks upon me are con.
cerned have no concern. They do me honor.
The more venomous the attacks by the Brit
ish upon me and those who think like me, the
more we are made the subjects of British
stupidity and aSsini liUy, the sooner will the
American people get on the right side of the
controversy. He declared that % per cent vi
the people of America were IN sympathy with
the Doers IN tuelr contest with Great B.ftain
Don't take that chlId to the graveyard, for
give you notice now that there Will be "a resur
rection Of it every day after this week. You'll
have IA chance tO tnlnK about IL at least once
every day unless you 20 TO the cloak rooms
white l discuss 1t.
Mr.. Hoar, of Massachusetts, regarded
the utUeranCe of the British consul as
very serious, IAN attack, i'll fact, upon
the character OF United States senator
and upon the American people," 1t
seemed to hun, lnaSmuCh as the matter
had been brought officially TO the atten.
tlon of the senate, it ought to be referred
to the committee on foreign relations so
that that committee might bring 1T to
the attention OF the president. lie
Thought IL might be IL proper ground
for the revocation of the British con.
sui's eXequaror and, perhaps, 1t might
properly DC made Il subject OF represenG-
atlons to the government of Great BrIG.
ain.
Continuing, Mr.. Hoar expressed his
regret that Mr.. Mason had made his
impassioned attack upon friendly ma
ton. IJ was quite natural that Mr.
MasoD's kindly sympatnles should be
strongly stirred, he SAID, by the brave
Beers struggling against great EN-
plre, but the senate was part Of the
diplomatic power of this government
ana, If such utterances were made here
he doubted the efficacy or any offers OF
mediation that might be made by the
Unit ed States. He further said III part
IL does not seem TO me 10 be d logical posi-
tion to assume. l have hoped that the time
would come when either mediation between
Great Britain and the Transvaal should be of
fered by the government or that the posit on
OF the American people would be made so cleai
as to bring about peace. l suppose the aJtl
tude Of the people OF the United States fol
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 Americans
precisely as they would regard their
own government If it were wrong. He
did not believe, he said, in the doctrines
"My country, right or wrong" and did
not think the people believed IN it.
Mr.. Lodge (Mass.) in brief speech
also criticised the British consuls re.
marks as highly improper.
Mr.. Mason replied briefly but so ve-
hemeutly to the points made by Mr..
Hoar, that Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut
said:
l do not want to let this occasion pass with
out entering my protest against the abuse OF
free speech in the United States senate.
The matter was then referred to the
committee on foreign relations.