The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-04
RAASLOFF.

The Danish War Minister'S Statement to the
RiRsdas-His Reasons for Resigning-The
Failure of the United States TO Keep Faith
with him la the 81. Thomas NegOtiatIOns-
His Confidence and dCOurageUUterlyS Swamped
Thereby.
Dispatches by cable recently alluded to o
speech made by General Raaslof late Minister
of War and of the Navy, in the Folkething-the
House of Commons of the Danish Rigsdag-eX-
planning his resignation, and the negotiations
with this Government relative to the transfer of
st. Thomas to the United States. This interest
ing address has reached us in full by mail from
Europe, and we take from IT the following in
genuous eXtracts:-
This honorable body viii bear in mind that have
spent number OF years in the United States, both
in private and IN official capacities. have during
that time become intimately acquainted with that
country, and have formed very high opinion of the
character of the American people. have learned
TO appreciate them, and believe them to be honest
and hgh-minded. | was imbued with these sent-
ments 1or the people, n the midst of whom l had
lived so many years. when on my return to Europe
in the summer Of 1866 called to seat in the
Cabinet and under these circumstances it was quite
natural that should be requested by the Govern
ment to assist in the negotiations for the transfer OF
| the Danish West India Islands, which had then
already been carried on for upwards OF two years.
1t is the consequences Of my participation in these
| negotiations which have now compelled to
! tender my resignation. 1t was my friendly feelings
| for the United States which caused me, not only
! warmly to recommend the conclusion of the con-
vention, so strongly and persistenty urged 10y the
| american Government but also, on all and every
OCCASION to Youch for the United States confidently
| asserting that they would, if Denmark consented to
negotiate with them, ON their part faithfully and
conscientiously fuldl every obligation which they
| might have incurred.
Ii is not for me to Judge whether that conviction,
! so often expressed by me 70 his Majesty, to my
colleagues, to members OF tue "Rigsdagn and to a
number Of Others, has exercised any influence upon
| the negotiations; do not know what scrupes our
GoveTement may have had at various times, nor in
! how far may have contributed TO overcome them,
quently to take the steps required Dy the conYen-
ton; but while not knowing-and not at liberty to
say, evenif knew-how much if any, influence in
| that respect may nave exercised, 4 am ready TO
| acknowledge that have spared no pains TO make
such an influence felt j am conscious OF having
| done my utmost TO persuade our Government into
the making Of this convention, and as already men.
| toned OF having invariably offered to guarantee
that the United States would as conscientiously as
ourselves, fuldl every obligation. 1t is well known
| TO the House that no sooner was the treaty made
ratified, and carried out by Denmark, than dinlcul
of its ratification, arose on the part of the United
States, and it being evident that misconceptions N
regard to the origin OF the negotiations and the
manner in which they have been conducted were
prevalent in that country, could not but consider
it my duty to comply with the request OF our Gov
eminent, TO 20 to Washington with view Of en-
tightening the leading aud the people Nth TCgar-
10 the true state Of the case.
II was during that stay in Washington that be.
came fully aware how much l had exposed myself
on behalf OF the United States. could no longer
remain blind to the fact that, having ayaled myself
Of the opportunities which my position as member
OF the Cabinet, and as a former envoy, afforded me
TO satisfy our Government that it risk in en-
tering with that great republic upon negotiations fol
the cessOn OF territOry-negOt.atio which arC
| ALWAYS OF q most delicate nature-I had gone so IN
! that II the people for whom had vouched should
leave in The urch the blow would for me be Verl
severe and Weuld be one OF those events which
| take away-at least for a time-a mans yigO
and courage. his confidence in himself as vel
as faith in those things which We ought to Oe ab
confidently TO rely upon. became trmly cOnYinceI
that in case should by such an event, be depriye
Of these qualities, / could no longer occupy tn
responsible positions held by me at. that time an
for some time subsequently. Having arrived a
this conviction, ! at The time communicated It Z
then nothing has occurred that could make me vieN
this matter in a different light or shake the deter
minaton that had arrived at while in Washing
ton. hone and trust that my participation in thi
negotiation will not have deprived OF the esteeI
and confidence OF my fellOW-cltiZens but what fe,
at this moment Is that the issue Of this unfOrtunat
afair has-at least for the present-depriVed me
the courage and confidence IN myself without Whc
could not, aud ought not 10 continue TO III Tn
responsible QIsees aiEleItQ entrusted 70 pe,