The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-18
REPLY TO HOUSE INQUIRY
LETTERS FROM AMERICANS RESID-
ING IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Mr.. Browns Claim for S1,S12,Z54-
Mr.. Macrum's Correspondence
with Secretary Hay.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE President
to-day transmitted to the House a reply to
the House resolution of inquiry asking for
copies of letters on file at the State Depart
ment from citizens of the United States
resident in the South African Republic. The
letters called for date from Jan. /, 1899.
Secretary Hay, in his letter to the Presi-
dent inclosing the correspondence, says:
1.-The only complaint, within the description
of the resolution, which has been directly
filed in the department is that Of E. f. l..
Brown, who July Is, 1899. preferred claim
against the South African Republic in the
sum of sl,S12.2S4 on account of alleged
illegal refusal to renew a mining lease.
The other complaints of the described char
acter have been transmitted to the depart
ment of state by the United States consul
at Pretoria, with whom they were lodged.
The first complaint in this correspond
ence consisted of letter of ex-Consul
Macrum under date of Jan. 6, 1899. to As
sistant Secretary Hill, transmitting the
complaint of DR.. H. A. Loeser that he was
not permitted to practice medicine in
Johannesburg. in fact was forced to aban-
don large and lucrative practice because
of the action of the medical authorities.
Assistant Secretary Cridler replied under
date of Feb. IS 1899, that any country had
the right to prescribe the qualifications of
medical practitioners, and if DR.. Loeser did
not see fit to comply with the requirements
the department saw no ground for action.
Sept. II, $780, Mar. Cridler forwarded the
attestation by the State of New York
license to DR.. Loeser to practice, hoping 1T
would be of service in securing his regis
tration as a physician. Extended corre-
spondence with State Secretary Reitz, but
without apparent definite results, followed.
Assistant Secretary Cridler wrote to Con-
sui Macrum on March 49, 1899, approving a
demand made for the immediate return of
property taken from Mr.. Nelson Thomp-
son, but directing that no further action be
taken until the facts were learned and re-
ported. On April / Mr.. Macrum wrote that
certainly halt should be called on such
action, especially to American citizens. y
A letter from Thompson, the claimant, to
Mr.. Macrum states that he Will appeal to
the South African League for assistance II
no other redress is given.
On July last Mr.. Macrum wrote of a
spirited controversy with the acting for
eign secretary, in which the latter apollo
gized for the action of field cornet
against an American citizen, Joseph F.
Gezzam. The latter, on seeking to regis
ter was told that he must state his choice
DelWeen serving the SOuln African fIepuD-
lie or Great Britain in case of war He
declined, and the field cornet attempted to
coerce him, finally putting Gezzam down
unwilling to serve the republic and
notifying him that lin case Of war all neu-
trails would be driven out of the country"
Foreign Secretary Grobeler wrote an apol-
ogy and condemnation of Field Cornet
Fouries's course. Mr.. Macrum writes that
such an example will be made of the err
ing field cornet that in the future men in
that Office will be decidedly more careful in
their actions, especially toward Amer
leans" later letter from Foreign Secre-
tary Grobeler Is given explaining the affair
in detail and expressing regret.
On Aug. Il last Mr.. Macrum cabled Sec
rotary Hay that lover one thousand Amer
leans liable to be impressed into service,
in case of war, which appears imminent.
Communication will be destroyed. Strong
representations should be made this gov
eminent Immediately to protect life prop
erty and dignity of American citizens"
On Aug. % acting Secretary Adee re-
piled by cable as follows: IF it become
necessary protest against impressment of
American citizens found in Transvaal ter
ritory into military service, defensive or
offensive, against any civilized power, un-
less such citizens have exercised political
privileges and assumed pilitical obligations
toward the government impressing them
This appears to have borne good results,
as a decree soon followed forbidding the
communicating of aliens.