Evening star., 1902-03-12
DIR, THOMAS PASSPORTS
TEXT FOR ATTACK ON STATE DE-
PARTMENT.
Representative Hit Defends Secretary
Hays Course in Trying to Preserve
Attitude Of Neutrality.

Representative Burleson of Texas took
occasion late yesterday afternoon in the
House to address himself to the resolution
inquirfng into the conduct of Secretary Hay
regarding his refusal to issue passports to
Chicago clergyman and his wife, who
wished to distribute relief funds to the
Beers in South Africa. Mr.. Burleson had
introduced this resolution two days before
1t had been referred to the foreign affairs
committee, Of which Mr.. Burleson is
member, and, according to Chairman Hit
of that committee, who replied to Mr.. Bur
leson's attack on Secretary Hay, Mr.. Bur
Lesson had himself set the date for consid-
ering the resolution in the committee.
Mr.. Burleson admitted that he did not
personally know whether the report upon
which his resolution was based was true
and his purpose was solely to ascertain the
facts. He sent to the clerks desk and had
read a letter from John Q. knight, VINO
came to Washington to obtain the pass
ports for DR.. Thomas and wife. Mr.
Knight, in the letter stated that the funds
were collected in response to an appeal by
Governor Yates, and that the committee
having them in charge consisted of Mayor
Harrison. Judge E. F. Dunno and Peter
Van Elissengen. He had gone to Secretary
Hay, the letter said. with a letter from
Senator Cullom. and the Secretary of State,
according to the letter, had declined to
make the request of Lord Pauncefote on
the ground that such a request would be
considered "meddlesome" and ''remtssnes SIS
of neutrality and against the views Of
President Roosevelt.
II the facts stated in this letter were
true, said Mr.. Burleson, then the State De-
partment was SO Saturated with pro-Brit
ish spirit that it could no longer respond
to the common dictates of humanity when
made in behalf Of Boer women and chill
dren.' Mr.. Burleson said that under date
OF March another appeal had gone from
Mr.. knight to Secretary Hay without elicit
ing response. Mr.. Burleson said his pur-
pose in having these letters read was to
fasten the attention Of the American peo-
pie upon the course of the State Depart
ment.
Mr.. Hits Reply.
Mr.. Hit 0llD, the chairman of the for
efgn affairs committee, replied to Mr.. Burle-
son with some display of heat. He said it
was with singular surprise that he had
heard the gentleman from Texas bring for
ward a resolution which had already been
referred to a committee of which he
Burleson) was member and which COM
mittee was to meet on a day fixed by
the motion of Mr.. Bureson himself. 1t
was strange. he said, that Mr.. Burleson
should rush in before action was taken or
the reply of the Secretary of State was re-
celved. He declared it an effort to
PREJUDICE the case before the evidence was
lowed a committee that existed in London
in 1863 and which was in full sympathy
with the confederate cause TO go through
the Union lines for the purpose of distrio--
utlng relief international law must be
observed. he sail. The international ked
Cross was organized for the purpose of
carrying relief Funds could be distributed
through it or through our consuls but not
through those in sympathy with the enemy
Relief funds raised in this country had in
fact. been distributed through our consuls
But why should not the Secretary OF
State use his good offices to relieve tie
distress of the Boer women and children
confined in concentration camps?" asked
MI. Burcson.
Secretary Hays Offer.
Mr.. Hit replied that according to Mr.
knights letter the Secretary had offered
to help Rev. DR.. Thomas in every way in
his power but he manifestly could not do a
ridiculous thing. The rules of internation-
al law upon the question were well estab-
lished Every old soldier Of either alIny
who had been in prison during the civil war
understood the situation perfectly. Jeffer-
son Davis would not have allowed northern
ss mpathzers to perambuate through
southern camps to distribute relief. The
Secretary of State could not make d.
mand which. on its face, was contrary to
AL precedents. 1t would be a slap In the
face of a foreign government. 1t had OF
been done in our war or any other war
Our government. he said, in conclusion,
should not put itself in conflict with an
other for the take of making political cap.
ital.
Mr.. Sulzer asked if the British authori-
ties had not declined to allow the Red Cross
t. conduct their humane work In South
Africa
Mr.. Hit said such a statement lad been
made and had been denied; he did not
know the facts.
THE information l have" declared Mr..
Snlzer. comes from the Boer commission
ers in this country"
Il am not in communication with the
British or the Boer officials" responded
Mr. Hit.