Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-03-13
HE IS AFTER MIR. HAY
Mr.. BurlesOn Arraigns Him for His
PrO-Brilish Sentiment.
HIT DEFENDS HIM.
The Texas Congressman Charges the
Secretary Turning a Deaf Ear
10 an Appeal Tor Dlsiribu.
ton Of Funds for Beers.

Washington. March is.--The feature
in the house Tuesday. was n speech
by Mr.. Burleson OF Texas attacking
Secretary Hay for declining TO request
the British authorities to furnish pass
ports 20 go through the British lines
TO Rev. Hiram w. Thomas and wife.
who desire to go 70 South Africa TO dis
tribute Boer relief funds collected 10
Illinois.
Mr. Hit Of Illinois. chairman OF the
foreign affairs committee made a splr
tied reply TO Mr.. Burleson. charging
the Texas member with attempting to
prejudice the case before the evidence
was In. Mfr. HIT pointed out that re-
lief funds could be distributed through
the Red Cross and the American con
suls and declare that II was contrary TO
International law and usuage 20 allow
those in sympathy with the enemy to
go through the lines in time Of war.
Mr. Burleson then called attention
10 the resolutions introduced by him
calling on the secretary OF state for
information AZ 20 whether he had de.
cllned 20 request the British ambassa-
dor 20 furnish passports for Rev. HI
ram w. Thomas and wife Of Chicago.
who were sent 10 distribute funds col
lected In Illinois for the relief OF non
combatant prisoners in South Africa.
Mr.. Burleson sent 10 the clerks and
had read n letter from John A. knight,
who came to Washington TO secure the
passports. Mr.. Knight stated the
funds we're collected In response to
Gov. Yates appeal. He had gone TO
Secretary Hay. the latter said. with a
letter from Senator Cullom and the
secretary OF state according 20 the let
ter. had declined TO make the request
OF Lord Pauncefote on the ground that
such n request would be considered
meddlesome and a remission OF neu-
tralIty and against the views Of Presi.
dent Roosevelt.
II the facts stated In this letter were
true. said Mr.. Burleson. then the state
department was so saturated with
pro. British sentiment that II no longer
responded 10 the common dictates OF
humanity when made in behalf OF Boer
women and children"
Mr.. Burleson said that under date OF
March another appeal had gone from
Mr.. Knight TO Secretary Hay without
oliciting a response.
Mr.. Burleson said HIS purpose In
having the letters read was TO fasten
the attention OF the American people
on the course Of the state department.
Mr.. Hit replied TO Mr.. Burleson
with some display OF heat. He said II
was with some surprise that he heard
the gentleman from Texas bring for
ward a resolution which already had
been referred 10 a committee OF which
he (Mr. Burleson) was a member and
which committee 10 meet on a day
fixed by the motion Of Mr.. Burleson
himself. He declared Il was an effort
to prejudice the case before the evil
dence was In. international law must
be observed. no said The Red Cross
was organized for the purpose Of carry
Ing relief. Funds could be distributed
though Il or through our consuls. but
not through those In sympathy with
the enemy.
But why should not the secretary
Of state use his good Offices 10 relieve
the distress OF the Boer women and
children confined in concentration
camps?" asked Mr.. Burleson,
Mr.. Hit replied that according TO
Mr.. Knights letter the secretary had
offered TO help the Rev. Thomas In
every way in his way. but he manifest
" could not do n ridiculous thing. The
rules OF information law on the ques'
ton we're well established. Jefferson
Davis would not have allowed northern
sympathizers 10 perambulate through
southern camps 10 distribute RELIEF.
The secretary OF state could not make
a demand on the face OF which II was
contrary 10 all precendents.