The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-23

Washington, February 2l.-The an
swer by the state department to the
house resolution calling for information
regarding certain charges by late Con-
sui Macrum was transmitted to the
house today by the president IL Is
signed by Secretary Hay. and after
reciting the resolution. says:
Answering the first part OF the res
olution: The department OF state has
been in regular communication by mail
and telegram with Charles Z Maerum.
late consul Of the United States at
Pretoria, South African Republic.
since his entrance upon the duties OF
the office. Communications made to
him have been answered and the exc
cution OF instructions sent has been
reported by him. His dispatches to
the department forwarded through the
consulate at Lourenzo Marques have
during that time been regularly re-
ceived.
The only instance OF complaint In
respect To the transit OF the mails for
LourenZo Marques and Pretoria was
in November last. when a temporary
stoppage OF the mails occurred at Cane
Town. against which Mr.. Macrum and
the consul at Lourenzo Marques pro-
tested. Arrangements were made for
prompt delivery OF the consular mails
to the United States consul general ct
Cape Town, by whom the mail for Mr.
Hollis and Mr.. Macrum was forwarded
to I-ourenzo Marques. The delay last
ed but Few days. and has not recur-
red. 50 far as the department is ad-
vised.
After that time the departments
mail for Lourenzo Marques and Preto-
| ria was sent by neutral route. which
was known and open TO Mr. Macruu
and Mr.. Hollis as early as November
10Th last. No obstacle, therefore. Is
| here known to have existed since then
1 to Mr.. hacrum's unhampered corre-
| spondence with the department OF
state.
| AT no time while at his post did
| Mr.. Macrum report TO the department
| any instance of violation by opening
or otherwise OF his official mail by the
| British censor at Durham or by any
person or persons whatsoever. there or
| elsewhere. Neither has he so reported
| since he left Pretoria, although having
| the amplest opportunity to do so by
mail while on the way home and in
person when he reported TO the depart
ment upon his return.
| Answering the second part of the
| aforesaid resolution, the undersigned.
| secretary OF state, has the honor to say
| that there is no truth in the charge
| that a secret alliance exists between
the republic OF the United States and
the empire Of Great Britain; that no
form of secret alliance is possible un-
der the constitution OF the United
States, inasmuch as treaties require
the advice and consent OF the senate.
or understanding exists between the
United States and any other nation.
JOHN HAY.
"Departmenta Of State. Feb. 20, 1900-
The presidents message conveying
this report gave a categorical answe,
to the questions embodied in the reso-
luton, and did not refer TO the action
Of the department in relation to the
matter. 1t has since been given out a,
the state department that inquiries
set on foot Immediately after the pub
lication OF Macrurl's first statement
developed the fact that the British
government had no knowledge OF any
interference with the correspondence o.
the United States consulate at Preto
ria, and the additional fact that
any interference had taken place II
was contrary to Instructions