The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-18
AMERICANS IN TRANsvAAL.
Their Letters of Complaint Trans
nitted to the House.


Washington, April 17.-The President to-
day transmitted to the House reply to
the House resolution of inquiry asking
copies of letters filed since Jan. /, 1899, at
the department of state from citizens Of
the United States resident In the South
African Republic ISecEetary Hay says in
his letter OF transmittal:
The only complaint, within the descrip-
ton of the resolution, which has been dl-
rectly filed in the department is that of
r. e. l.. Brown, who, July Is, 1899, pre-
ferred a claim against the South African
Republic in the sum of $1,Sl2,2& on ac-
count of alleged illegal refusal to renew
mining lease"
The first complaint in the correspond
ence consisted of letter of eX-Consul
Macrum under date of Jan. G. 1899, 60 AS
sistant Secretary Hill, transmitting the
complaint of DR.. H. A. Loesere, that he
was not permitted to practice medicine in
Johannesburg, in fact. was forced TO
abandon a. large and lucrative practice
because of the action of the medical au-
thorities. Assistant Secretary Cridler re-
piled under date of Feb. IS, 1899, that any
country had the right to prescribe the
qualifications of medical practitioners, and
if DIR. Loeser did not see fit to comply
with the requirements the department saw
no ground for action.
There was extended correspondence with
Secretary of State Reitz, but without APP
parent definite results.
Assistant Secretary Cridler wrote TO Con-
sui Macrum on March IS, 1899 approving
a demand made for the immediate re-
turn of property taken from Mr.. Nelson
Thompson, but directing that no further
decisive action be taken until the facts
were learned and reported. On April ],
Mr. Macrum wrote that certainly halt
should be called on such action, especially
to American citizens
A letter from Thompson, the claimant
to Mr.. Macrum, states that he will APP
peal to the South African League for as
sistance if no other redress is given.
On July last Mr. Macrum wrote of
spirited controversy with the acting for
eign secretary, in which the latter apollo
gized 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 Re
public or Great Britain in case of war
He declined and the field cornet attempt
ed to coerce him, finally putting Gezzam
down as unwilling to serve the republic
and notifying him that lin case of war all
neutrals would be driven out of the coun-
| try" Foreign Secretary Grobler later
wrote an apology and condemnation Of
I Field Cornet Fouries course. Mr. Macrum
writes that such an example will be
made of the erring field comets that in
! the future men in that office will be de-
| cidedly more careful in their actions, es-
! pecially toward Americans"
! A later letter from Foreign Secretary
| Grobler is given explaining the affair IN
| detail and expressing regret.
/ On Aug. q. last, Mr.. Macrum cabled
! Secretary Hay that over 1000 Americans,
! liable TO be impressed into service, in case
! of war which appears imminent, commu-
nlcation will be destroyed. Strong repre-
sensations should be made to his govern
ment Immediately to protect life, property
/ and dignity of American citizens"
on Aug. %, Acting Secretary Adee re,
Piled by cable as follows:
IF 1t becomes necessary protest against
/ impressment of American citizens found
| in Transvaal territory into military serv-
| ice defensive or offensive, against any
| civilized Power, unless such citizens have
exercised political privileges and assumed
political obligations toward the govern
! ment impressing them
| This appears to have borne good results,
| as a decree soon followed forbidding the
| communicating of aliens.