The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-22
MAGRUMs CHARGES ANSWERED.
Secretary Hays Reply Transmitted
to the HOuae.

secretary Hays Reply Trnnsmfttcu
TO the House.
The President yesterday transmitted to
the House, in response to the resolution
of Representative Wheeler of Kentucky.
message accompanied by Secretary Hays
reply to the charges made by Charles E.
Macrum. former Consul to Pretoria.
The Secretary denies that there is a Sc
cret or other alliance between the United
States and Great Britain, and says that
Mr.. Macrum never reported to the State
Department that his mail had been tam
pered with by the British authorities in
South Africa. The message was present
ed to the House Just before adjournment.
The Secretarys communication is as
follows:
To the President:
The undersigned, Secretary OF State. TO whom
was addressed resolution adopted in TIE House
OF Representative on the 18th instant. reading
follows: Whereas Charles L. Mscrum. late a
Consul Of the Government o. the United States 1t
Pretoria, in the Transyaal Republic, over his own
signature, charges when this (his) mail was
fnall" forwarded 10 me, after Colonel S.owe, the
Amer lean Consul General at Cape Tessn. had Sc
cured its release, had the humiliation, as the
representative Of the American Government, Of
sitting IN my Office IN Pretoria and lOOEing upon
envelopes bearing ther official seal Of the American
Government. opened and officially sealed with
sticker, notifying me that the contents had been
read by the censor at Durham; and whereas ne
further states in the article, when accepted
my post ss Consul knew nothing Of any secret
alliance between America and Great Britain;
Therefore be IT resolved by the House of Repre-
sehtatives Of America, that the Secretary OF state
is directed to inform the House Of Representatives
II the said Charles T. Mscrum. Consul of tie
American GoTrrnmsrt. informed the state Depart
meat that this official mail bad been opened and
read By the British censor at Durham; and, II 30,
whss steps, il any. have been taken IN relation
Thereto. Sc. = That be IS further directed to-ih-
form the House Of Representatives what truth
there Is in the charge that secret alliance exists
between the Republic Of the United States and the
Empire Of Great Bfitain," mas the honor 70 lay
before ne President the following statement with
view % its being communicated 20 the House OF
Representatives in answer to the said resolution.
should the President decm Il not Incompatible
With the public interests TO do.
Answering the first part Of the resolution: The
Department OF Ssate has been in regular conmuni-
cation " mail and telegraph with Charles +.
Macrum, late Consul OF the United States at
Pretoria, South African Republic, since his en-
trance upon the duties OF the Office. Communi-
GATORS made to him have been answered and the
eXecut on of instructions sent has been reported
by him. His Dispatches to the Department. for-
Ngdel through the consulate at Loureneo
MaIgl~s, have, curing that time been regularly
receiN ed. The only instance Of complaint In re-
sps.t 10 The transit II the mails for Lourenco
whe. 1 temporary stoppJge Of tic mails occurred
at rsle Town, against which Mr. Macrum and
the C.nS at Lou.cnco Marques protested Ar.
rangcruen.s .ere made i0r the prompt delivery Of
the consular rails a. the United States Consul
General at C,pe Town. by whom the mail Tor
Mr.. Hollis and Mir. MacTum forwarded to
Loureaco Marques. The delay lasted but few
dave nd ha. not reCufred SO far as the Depart
ment Is advised. After that time the Depart
mert's mail for Lsurenco Marques and Pretoria
WAS sent by a neutral route. which, it appelE
was known and open to Nr. Macrlm and 'ir.
Hollis as early as November 10 last No obstacle,
Therefore Is here known to have existed since
then to MT. Macrum's unLampcFed correspondence
with t., Department Of state. At no time while
at his rlst did Mr Macrum report TO the Depart
ment any instance 4 violation by opening OF 9th
crvise OF his official mail 10y the British censor
a. Durham OF by any person persons whatsoever
there or elsewhere; neither has he reported
since he left Petofis. although having the 1upicst
! opportunity 10 DO 50 by nail while on tn" way
! home and in person when lie reported to the
| Department upon his return.
Answering the second part OF the Aforesaid
| resolution, the Undersigned Secretary Of state
has the honor to say that there Is no truth in the
charge that a secret alliance exists between the
| Republic Of the United States and tho Empire O.!
! Great Britain that no form Of secret alliance is
! possible under the Constitution 0f the United
States ipasmuch treaties require the advice and
consent OF the Senate; and. finally Ilat secret
alliance. convention, arrangement, or understand
| ing exists between the United states and any
| other nation John HAY.
| Department, Of State, February 20, 1890
The message was referred by the Speak
er to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.