Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-03-29

occurred 10 WAS contrary to tho instructions OF
that government.
received no further information In regard
TO this matter until the 2lst Of this month,
when this government was informed by dis
patch from Mr.. J. q. Stowe, consul general OF
the United States at Cape Town that: Two
letters from this consulate, one to Pretoria
and one to Lourenzo Marques, were opened by
the censor at Durham. Upon notice Of this
called upon the high commissioner, who wired
Durham, and very satisfactory apology was
returned"
This is all the information possessed by this
department in regard to the incident.
In reference to certain allegations as to our
fonsuls in South Africa. having been APP
preached with suggestions Of mediation, have
the honor TO reply that in dispatch of the 3D.
OF October, received at this department on the
9Th Of November, and the only one on our file
relating to this matter, Mr.. Stowe reported as
follows:
Under the date of September 26 Ireceived
from the United States consular agent at
Bloemfontein, Orange Free State letter
which read a. follows
I saw President steyn this afternoon by his
request, and he would like to have you find out
at once If your my government viii consent
Tor you to act as arbitrator, and if you can also
find out If the high commissioner would also
consent. The president appears to think what
ever Is done should be done at once. and wishes
to know If you can give him this informa-
ton
II replied by wire as follows i will reply
by wire to your letter of the 26th this after
noon.'
After giving the above request car eul con-
sideration, called upon the high coinT; issioner
same date and in the course of conversation
said: When | dined with you the other day
you stated your government would never con
sent to arbitration by outside powers or repre-
sentatives, and your published dispatches so
state. Are you of the same opinion p And he
replied: What might like to do cannot do
now, as my hands are tied Then | told him
in substance what | had been asked by the
president Of the Orange Free State and the
high commissioner said; Please state the fol
lowing as your reply, which he dictated and
which appears in the following copy of my tel
egraphic dispatch to the United States consular
agent at Bloemfontein, in the words under
lined, to which | added the first five words not
underlined
"sCannot ask government myself. Seen
party requested. Though personally favorable
to further negotiations, thinks he cannot move
ON the line proposed
Believing it courtesy to the United States
Consul Maerum, at Pretoria, sent the follow
ing dispatch, same date: Was asked by the
Free State to ask if our government would
consent fer me to arbitrate and to SEQ the high
commissioner and replied. Here follows the
above dispatch. Dispatches sent in code
u also deemed It right to post Consul Ma
crum as above, not only for the reason that
the Orange Free State is in his jurisdiction but
for the further reason that he had said in a
communication to me of the same date Moth
ing can be done here for peace unless matters
settled your end. Oyer 600 men sent to Dor
der last night; if anything done, must be
quickly done the high commissioner should
do something for peace
1T was a question in my mind if I ought to
take any action at all on the request of the
Orange Free State president but the high com
missioner afterward said to me that had
acted right and that he was grateful at nv
action
As you also inquired what there was ON file
in regard to the departure of Mr. Macrum
from his post at Pretoria, have the honor to
inform you that ON the 18th of November Mr.
Macrum telegraphed requesting leave sPer-
mission visit America. Absolutely imperative /;
private and official business. Amerigen fight
ing; Attlebury, American, takes charge. Cable
quickly
utmost importance to public interest"
He then, on the 11th of November cabled :
mo reply. Department will approve leave on
explanation. Imperative. Cable immedi-
ately."
The next day he cahled again: Gable re-
celVeu. everything quiet. AttieDury capa-
BILE, experienced. My presence home absolute
ly necessary"
On the 18th he cabled once more: "Three
cables requesting leave unanswered Substi-
tute sufficient here, but not at home Please
cable acquiesence quick. Ship sailing soon"
In reply to this, ON the goth of Novemner, l
answered: Your presence Pretoria impor.
tant to public interests"
On the LIST of December Mr.. Maerum once
more cabled me:
mo reply. Department will approve leave
on explanation imperative. Gable immedi.
ately."
And again, same date: Cant leave with
out permission Will forfeit post if depart
ment don't approve explanation. Please re-
ply"
Upon this. inferring from these dispatches
that Mr.. Maerum was in state of mind which
would make his services in Pretoria useless l
answered on Dec q You may come home.
Put Attlebury temporarily in charge Depart
ment will send a man from here"
Soon after this received several newspaper
articles and letters from responsible persons
asserting that Attlebury, whom Macrum
wished to place temporarily in charge of the
consulate, was person of disreputable char
acter and fugitive from justice. therefore
directed Mr. Hollis, consul at Lourenzo Mar
aues, to proceed at once to Pretoria and take
temporary charge Of the consulate until the ar.
rival of Mr.. A. s. Hay, who had been appointed
consul