New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-05

to the public until his remarkable series Of
cables to the State Department asking to be re-
ieVed. He has been his way here since
December Is. and though numerous attempts
have been made to learn his reasons for leaving
Pretoria he has remained silent and this in the
face of charges that he left the South African
Republic for fear of his personal safety. He is
rather a determined looking young man, and
some who have been associated with him say
that he has something to communicate which
will cause the State Department surprise and
show that he had good reasons for coming back
When the steamship ST. Paul he was
at the mail desk early asking for any mall
which had come aboard since the big liner
reached Quarantine He is of slight build,
about feet 5 inches in height with slight
red mustache and imperial. He long
light overcoat reaching to his boot tops. He
not inclined to talk even about the stua-
tion in Africa when he left there.
WON'T SAY A WORD
There is nothing that 1 care to say at pres
ent,' he said. Il have been asked time and time
again as to my reasons for leaving South Africa
and must answer now. 1 have done in the
past that 1 do not care to say anything.
shall go to Washington as as possible
to-day, if 1 can make connections and report to
the State Department. Then 1 will make
statement and not before. / know that many
things have been said about my leaving, but
have nothing to say"
do you know Canon Farmer, an English
clergyman, who on his return to London charged
that your chief care in leaving Pretoria was for
your personal safety?"
Yes" he said after a moment of thought
"He in charge of a church down there
not going to say anything about that how
ever"
Your sentiments were in favor of the Beers
they not?"
Now, am not going to say anything on any
subject"
Mr.. Macrum also refused either to confirm or
deny the story that while in Paris he held con-
ference with DR.. Leyds, President Krtger's
diplomatic representative in Europe. 1t was
pointed out to Mr.. Macrum that the State De-
partment had given out that he was no longer
connected with that branch of the service and
that for that reason he free to talk To this
he replied: Il can't help that L consider that
am connected with the Department until have
reported in Washington"
All sorts of questions were asked Mr. Macrum
relative to his leaving his post, but to all he
answered that he would not talk until he had
visited the State Department.
When the ST. Paul reached her pier Mr.. Ma
crum was one of the last passengers to go
ashore.
I've just managed to get away from the re-
porters," he said with sigh of relief as he
turned to the customs officials. His baggage
inspected quickly and, with his wife and
child, he driven to the Fifth Avenue Hotel
where he spent the remainder of the day.
Mr.. Macrum denied himself to newspaper men
throughout the day and received few visitors.
Among the latter a young man who is a
relative of the ex-Consul. bearing the same
name, who spent most of the evening with the
latter. Mr. Macrum's baggage remained in the
lobby of the hotel through the evening, and at
tracted considerable attention. IT consisted of
three trunks, ditty bag, a large canvas covered
box and two steamer chairs, between which
were bound Zulu shield made OF hide, several
Zulu spears assegai and other implements
of savage warfare in South Africa. The shield
was easily recognized by It's shape and consist
ency, and the assegai furnished their intro
duction to any who chanced to lean against
the baggage. Their sharp steel points protruded
several inches beyond the rest of the baggage
and the unfortunate individual who stood too
close TO them was invariably stuck in the back
Mr. Macrum through the agency Of his weapons
of savagery made more than one enemy last
night
Mr. Macrum left the hotel with his family late
last evening, and took the midnight train for
Washington. He will make his report to the
State Department to-day, and as his baggage
is checked straight through to his home in East
Liverpool. Ohio, Ii is likely that he will start for
that place from Washington as soon as his
business is finished.