The Washington times., 1902-03-15
SECRETARY HAY is
ASKED TO EXPLAIN
Mr.. Burleson's Boer Resolu-
ton Approved bysHouse.
Refusal to Assist in Securing Military
Pass to Admit to Concentration Camps
Must Be Accounted For.

Representative Burleson Dem.,- Tex)
succeeded yesterday in having the House
adopt his resolution calling upon Secre-
tary Hay to explain why he refused to
assist DR.. and Mrs. Hiram Thomas, of
Chicago, in securing military pass from
the British Government to distribute sup
plies to the Boer womer and children in
the concentration camps in South Africa
Mr.. Burleson brought up the matter
yesterday. His resolution had not then
been reported from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, TO which it was referred
several days ago, but the Texas member
nevertheless took occasion to make an
other speech upon the subject.
Not Question of Comfy.
He controverted the defence of Secre-
tary Hays action made by Hit, in which
the latter referred TO the comfy between
nations which prevented the Secretary of
State from requesting the desired permis-
sion from Lord Pauncefote for mill
tary pass to be issued to DR.. and Mrs.
Thomas.
The department, in denying the request.
he said, had not interposed this shadowy,
mythical international regulation; ii had
said nothing about the comfy of nations.
There was no question, Mr.. Burleson said.
of passing through fortified lines. as the
concentration camps were located in ter
ritory that was long since reported to
have been pacifed. The rule of comfy
of nations" did not apply. he asserted,
In the case of Germany, whose foreign
secretary asked a similar permission of
Great Britain.
Mr.. Hays Reply.
Mr.. Hit replied briefly, saying that Mr..
Burleson had seen fit to make two
speeches upon the subject before the reso-
luton had been brought before the House.
He read the reply which the committee
had received from Mr.. Hay when. follow
ing the regular course. the committee had
referred the resolution to him.
Secretary Hays letter said:
"A few days ago a young gentleman
called and asked whether this department
would issue passports to the Rey. Mr.
Thomas and Mrs. Thomas. who were in
tending to go to South Africa for the pur-
pose of distributing funds which had been
collected in Illinois for the benefit of the
sufferers by the war.
Il said at once that the department
would issue the passports desired, and
that would also give Mr. Thomas let
ter commencing him to everyone whom /
could influence. and esking their assist
snce in his errand.
Enquiry was then made whether this
Government would ask Of the British Gov
ernment permission for Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas TO 90 at will through the British
military lines and camps, suggestion
which thought impracticable.
This department is ready at any time
TO consult with a representative of Gov
ernor Yates as to the best means of get
ting into the proper hands the sums con-
tributed by charitable people in Illinois
for the relief OF the sufferers by the war
in South Africa"
Resolution Reported and Passed.
This ended the matter temporarily, but
a little later Mr.. Hit submitted the re-
port of his committee on Mr. Burleson's
resolution. 1t had, he said, been favorably
acted upon by the committee with GER
tain amendments proposed by MIR. Burle-
son.
There was no further discussion of the
matter, and the resolution was adopted