The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-29

Charles f. Macrum. former Consul Of
die United States at Pretoria South Al
rican Republic. appeared before the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday
to tell Of the alleged interference with
his mail by the British censor.
When Mr. Macrum issued his statement
several weeks age declaring that his Off
cisl mail had been opened by Bri ish
officials, Representative Wheeler Of Ken
lucky introduced a resolution for an iu-
vestigaticn It was arranged that the
Foreign Affairs Committee should lake the
matter up. Of its own motion without any
direction from the House. and Mr.. Ma
urum was summoned to Washington to
testify
Nj Macrum was asked by Chairman
Hit to make such statement as he saw
I'll regarding the opening OF his mail.
Before beginning his remarks he presented
TO the committee two letters which he
said had been opened by the British CEN
sor. In reply to question by
Representative W. A. Smith be ad-
mitted he had returned TO the United
States largely on account Of private bust
ness He had made no report 10 the state
Department IN regard to the letters nor
had he attempted to make such a report
10 the Department. He declined to say
why he had moi made a report but stated
that be had gone TO Assistant Secretary
Hill and said: Il understand ! have been
dismissed.
DR.. Hin said his understanding was cor
rect and Mr Macrum said he had therefore
DO report to make. He had attempted to
see Secretary Hay. but was informed that
he was out" He declined TO say why he .
had not pursued the matter further and I
had not made any more attempts TO see I
Secretary Hay.
Chairman Hit presented a letter which Z
had been sent TO the committee yester- 4
day by the Secretary Of state with /
communication from Consul General stowe /
in which the latter stated that when he 4
heard Of the opening Of the letters 10 Nj. /
Macrum be had informed the British Com .
missioner who in turn had communicated /
with the British officials at Port Durham.
The explanation of those officials that the
letters had been opened uuntentionaliy
was satisfactory.
Did you report TO the State Department
that your mail had been opened 2" asked
Mr. Berry OF Kentucky.
Il did not. replied Mr. MaCrum.
Did you mention it upon your arrival
in Washington
u did not
Why
'Twould prefer not 10 answer that ques-
ton
Secretar, Hays Letter.
After hearing Mr.. Macrum the commit
tee went into executive session and Chair
man Hit presented the following letter
addressed to him by the Secretary Of
State
..,r-.-. % ,oao
The Hon. R R. Hit, Chairman Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs. House Of Rep
reseDtatives:
Sir: In response TO your enquiries this
morning ! have the honor 10 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. Although without |
any Information except the allegations Of !
Mr. Macrum. to which reference was made
in resolution OF the House Of Repre-
sentatives making certain enquiries Of !
this Department / mentioned the matter
to the British Ambassador who made en-
quiry in regard TO il OF the British Gov
eminent and was informed in return that
the British Government was not aware Of
any such incident having taken place,
but if anything Of the sort had occurred
it was contrary to the instructions Of that
Government.
Il received no further information in
regard TO the matter until the 2lst of this
month. when this Government was inform
ed by a despatch from Mr.. j. G Stowe.
Consul General OF the United States at
Cape Town. that two letters from this con
sulate one to Pretoria and one 10 Lou
renco Marques. were opened by the censor
al 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
Consuls in South Africa having been ap-
preached with suggestions OF mediation. /
have the honor to reply that in a despatch !
OF the Sd Of october, received at this de
partment 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 % ] re-
ceived from the United States consular
agent at Bloemfonteiu Orange Free State.
q letter which reads as follows:
81 saw President Steyn this after
noon by his request and he would like 10 | Z
have YOU find out at once if your my | {
Government viii consent for you 70 act as
arbitrator. and IL you can also find out if ,
the High Commissioner would also consent !
The President appears TO think whatever |
is done should be done al once. and wishes
10 know If you can give him this iuforma- {
ton
81 replied by wire as follows
VIII reply by wire 10 your letter Of |
the 26ih this afternoon.
after giving the above request careful | 4
consideration ! called upon the High Com
missioner same date and In the course of
our conversation said
-" When ] diued with you the other day
you stated your Government would never /
consent 10 arbitration by outside powers
or Representatives, or published dispatches /
50 state. Are you Of the same opinion
and he replied
What ] might like 10 Go ] cannot do |
now. as my hands are tied Then toia
him in substance what had been asked by
the President Of the Orange Free state,
and the High Commissioner then said:
Please state The following as your re-
ply, which he dictated and which appears q
in the following copy Of my 1elegraphie
despatch TO the United States Consular
Agent Al Bloemfontein: {
Cannot ask Government myself Seen \
parry requested; though personally favor {
able 10 further negotiations. thinks be can y
net move ca the line proposed
Believing !; courtesy due TO the !