The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-22
ANSWER TO MACRUM
GES MADE BY Pretoria
CONSUL
HE MADE NO COMPLAINTS
So Asserts Secretary of State Hay
in His Reply to the Queries Pro-
pounded In House Resolution
British Government Denied All
Knowledge of Tampering with
Mr.. Macrum's Mail.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The presi-
dents message today, conveying a report
of the secretary of state in answer to thu
Macrum resolution of the house of rep
resentatives, gave categorical answer
to the questions embodied in the resolu-
ton, and did not refer to the action Of
the department In relation to the mat
ter
1t has since been given out at the state
department that inquiries set on foot i'm
mediately after the publication of Ma
crum's first statement developed the fact
that the British government had no
knowledge of any interference with the
correspondence of the United States con-
sulate at Pretoria, and the additional fact
that if any such interference had takon
place 1t was contrary TO instructions.
The answer Of the state department
transmitted to the house by the president
is signed by Secretary Hay and after re-
citing the resolution says.
Answering the first part of the resolu.
ton: The department of state has been
in regular communication by mail and
consul of the United States at Pretoria,
South African republic, since his en-
trance upon the duties of the office.
Communications made to him have been
answered and the execution of instruc-
tons sent has been reported by him. His
dispatches to the department, forwarded
ques. have during that time been reg
ularly received The only instance of
complaint in respect to the transit Of
the mails for Lourenzo Marques and Pre-
porary stoppage Of the mails occurred a
Cape Town, against which Mr. Macrum
and the consul at Lourenzo Marques pro-
tested. Arrangements were made for the
nrnnoDt n
the United States consul general at Cape
Town, by whom the mail for Mr.. Hollis
and Mr.. Macrum was forwarded to LOU
reno 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
trail route, which 1t appears was known
and open to Mr.. Macrum and Mr.. Hollis
as early as November 16 last. No obsta-
Gle, therefore. Is here known to have eX-
hampered correspondence with the de-
partment of state. AT no time while at
his post did Mr. Macrum report to the
department any instance of violation by
opening or otherwise Of his official mail
by the British censor at Durham, or by
any person or persons, whatsoever, there
or elsewhere. Nither has he so report
ed since he left Pretoria, although hav
ing the amplest opportunity to do SO by
mail while on the way home. and in per-
son when he reported to the department
Answering the second part of the
aforesaid resolution, the undersigned. Sec
rotary Of state, has the honor to say that
there is no truth In the charge that
secret alliance exists between the repub-r
lie of the United States and the empire
of Great Britain: that no form of secret
alliance Is possible under the constitu-
ton of the United States. inasmuch as
treaties require the advice and consent of
the senate; and, finally, that no secret
alliance convention. arrangement, or un-
Outstanding exists between the United
States or any other nation.
John Hay,
Department of State"
Feb 20, 1900