Show MACRTJM JETEAHD FROM Explains Situation In Pretoria at the Breaking Out of War Washington Jan tiMail advices are Just coming to hand from United States Consul MacTiim explaining the situation situa-tion ut Pretoria at the outbreak of the war and his own conduct respecting the representation of British interests on the Transvaal It appears from these that Mr Maerum like his successor suc-cessor at Pretoria Mr Hollls was placed under a technical limitation In the exercise of his functions by the Boer Government and while he was permitted to disburse the funds sent him by the British Government for the comfort of the British prisoners In Pretoria Pre-toria he did no on the distinct stipulation stipula-tion that he wan acting unofficIally Possibly the motive of the Boer Government Gov-ernment In refusing to allow the American I Amer-ican Consul lo act officially was a desire de-sire on Its part tojfoice the British Government Gov-ernment Into some official recognition of the status of South African republics repub-lics If so the effort failed and Mr Macrunl and his successor Mr IIollls have gone on in their work of mercy without molestation from the Boer Government Gov-ernment This object being secured and there j being little else ut present In tIme nature of business touching British Inlerests In Pretoria that requires the attention of a representative of that Government the State department hero Is disposed to allow the situation to drift along without change or protest because the Boer Government has not seen fit to allow the American Consul to act In an j i official manner There is nothing in Mr Macrtims report to throw the faintest light upon his inexplicable action In leaving his post in the middle of the war |