The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-22
MACRUM's CHARGES FALSE.
Secretary of State Hays Reply to the
House Resolution.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The answer of
the State Department to the House resolu-
tion calling for information regarding GER
tain charges made by late Consul Macrum
was transmitted to the House to-day by
the President. 1t is signed by Secretary
Hay, and. after reciting the resolution,
says:
Answering the first part of the resolu-
ton: The Department of State has been in
regular communication by mail and tele-
graph with Charles E. Macrum, late con-
sui of the United States at Pretoria, South
African Republic since his entrance on the
duties of the Office. Communications made
TO him have been answered and the execu-
tion of instructions sent has been reported
by him. His dispatches to the department,
forwarded through ..ie consulate at Lou
renzo Marques, have during that time been
regularly received. The only instance of
complaint in respect to the transit of the
mails for Lourenzo Marques and Pretoria
was in November last, when temporary
stoppage of the malls occurred at Cape
Town, against which Mr.. Macrum and the
consul at Lourenzo Marques protested. Ar
rangements were made for the prompt de-
livery of the consular mails to the United
States consul general at Cape Town, by
whom the mail for Mr.. Hollis and Mr.. Ma
crum was forwarded to Lourenzo Marques.
The delay lasted but few days and has
not required so far as the department is
advised. After that time the departments
mail for Lourenzo Marques and Pretoria
was sent by a neutral route which it ap-
pears, was known and open to Mr.. Macrum
and Mr.. Hollis as early as Nov 16 last No
obstacle, therefore, is here known to have
existed since then to Mr.. Macrums un-
hampered correspondence with the Depart
ment of State. AT time while at his
post did Mr.. Macrum report to the depart
ment any instance of violation by opening
or otherwise of his official mail by the Brit
ish censor at Durham or by any person or
persons whatsoever, there or elsewhere.
Neither has he reported since he left
Pretoria. although having the amplest op-
portunity to do so by mail while on the
way home and in person when he reported
to the department upon his return.
Answering the second part Of the afore-
said resolution, the undersigned. the secre-
tary of state, has the honor to say that
there is no truth In the charge that a Sc
cret alliance exists between the Republic of
the United States and the Empire of Great
Britain; that no form of secret alliance is
possible under Constitution of the
United States, inasmuch as treaties require
the advice and consent of the Senate, and,
finally. that no secret alliance. convention.
arrangement or understanding exists be-
tween the United States and any other ma
tion."
The Presidents message, conveying the
report of the secretary of state in answer
TO the Macrum resolution, gave categor-
ical answer TO the questions embodied in
the resolution, and did not refer to Ine ac-
ton of the department in relation to the
matter. 1t has since been given out at the
State Department that inquiries set on foot
Immediately after the publication of Ma
crums first statement developed the fact
that the British government had no knowl-
edge of any interference with the corre-
spondence of the United States consulate
at Pretoria, and the additional fact that il
any such interference had taken place il
was contrary to instructions.