The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-29
.HE MADE No COMPLAINT
CONSUL MACRUM is INTERROGAT-
ED BY HOUSE FOREIGN AT
FAIRS COMMITTEE
TELLS OF HIS TROUBLES
Did Not Report to the State Depart
ment That His Mail Was Being
Tempered Wtth-AppeaI to
the President.

WASHINGTON, March 28.-CharleS f.
Macrum, of East Liverpool, O., the Amer
lean ex-consul at Pretoria, appeared be-
fore the house foreign affairs committee
TO-DAY and told of the alleged indlgnities
ne suffered at the hands Of the British
during his incumbency. When he gave
out his statements here some weeks ago
declaring that his official mail had been
opened by British officials, Representa-
tive Wheeler, of Kentucky, introduced a
resolution for an investigation 1t was
subsequently arranged that the foreign
affairs committee should take the matter
up of its own motion without any direc-
ton from the house, and Mr.. Macrum was
summoned to Washington to testify
Chairman Hit called the committee to
order. Mr.. Macrum was asked by Chair
man Hit to make such statement as he
saw fit regarding, the opening Of his mall
by the British censor.
In opening, Mr.. MaCrum recalled the
statement he had made some time ago, to
the Associated Press. That statement,
he said, practically embodied all he had
to say.
TAMPERING WITH MAIL.
Asked as to when he was first satisfied
that his mail was being tampercd with,
he said that war was declared Oct. II.
He did not receive any mail beteen that
date and, the second week in November.
Ordinarily he had a box Of mail every
week
Did other people receive mail during
that period?" asked Mr. Williams, of Mis-
sissippi
Not that I know Of" replied Mr.. Ma
crum.
Pressed for specific information as to
how he got the intimation that the Brit
ish were opening and delaying his mail.
he replied that when his mail did not ar
rive, he telegraphed our consul at Lou
renZo Marques, requesting him to inquire
of Cape Town why it was being de,ayed.
The consul at Lourenzo Marques replied
that he also had received no mail. Mr..
Macrum said that the delay of his mail
created conviction in his mind that the
British authorities We're responsible. The
first actual evidence he had was the re-
ceipt of two opened letters. He produced
the envelopes which, he said, contained
those letters. One was from a private
citizen, addressed to the United States
consul at Pretoria, and the other was to
him by name, from Consul Stowe, at Cape
Town.
NO COMPLAINT MADE.
After hearing Mr.. Macrum, the commit
tee went into executive session. Chair
man Hay presented a letter from Secre-
tary Hay, giving in detail the depart
ment's view of the subject, and this was
subsequently made pubic. The commit
tee took no action towards making re-
port, and it was stated by the members
that there was nothing TO be done beyond
taking the testimony.
Secretary Hays letter giving the ottclal
view of the case is as follows:
washington, March 26. 1S00.-Hun. R.
r. Hit, Chairman COMMITTEES on Foreign
Affairs House of Representatives-Sir:
In response to your inquiries of this morn
ing, I have the honor to report that, up
to this date, Mr.. MaCrum, late consul of
the United States at Pretoria, has made
no representations to this department in
regard to the opening Of his mail by The
British authorities
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT.
did YOU report to the state depart
ment that your mail had been openedE'
asked Mr.. Berry, of Kentucky.
II did not"
Did YOU mention it upon your arrival
in Washington"
II did not
"Why?"
II would prefer not to answer that
question"
This reply raised a general laugh IN
the committee room. Mr.. Adams, OF
PENNSYLVANIA, then proceeded to cross
upon the duty of a consul to remain at
his post during complications.
Mr. Macrum proceeded to describe an
alleged meeting between President Steyn,
of the Orange Free State, and Consul
Stowe, of Cape Town, at which he was
present. in which he said Steyn was very
anxious that Stowe should do something
to settle the difficulty which was brew
ing. He said that President Steyn sug-
to tha president of the
United States and that Mr. Stowe had re-
piled that he would be glad II some such
thing could be done
And / have reason to believe that the
question was submitted to the president
of the United States" added Mr.. Macrum,
land that he returned an unfavorable
reply"
what makes you say that?" inquired
Mr. Hit.
'I was told so by Col. Stowe"
"Was that statement in writing?"
"It was"
Have you the letter.
mo, 1t is In the files of the Pretoria
consulate
After further questioning Mr.. Macrum
said he might have a copy of the letter;
he could not say positively. Subsequently
he said he thought he could produce it in
a short time.
Pensions Increased.
WASHINGTON, March 2S-The house
committee on pensions tOdaV reCOmmend-