New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
February Violets
COlgate's
VIOLET WATER.
THE DANISH WEST INDIES.

CHANCES OF THEIR ACQUISITION BY THE
UNITED STATES.
TWO ATTEMPTS TO SECURE THEM DEFEATED BY
SENATOR suMNER-Now. WITH THE AID
MINIsTRATIoN AND THE SENATE BE-
1IEvED TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE
PROPOSITION. THE RESULT
MAY BE DIFFERENT
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Washington. Feb. 16-At this time. when It seems
be among the probabilities that the islands of St.
Thomas Santa Cruz and ST. John will soon be OBJ
tained by purchase by the United States facts
about past efforts to secure them may be of interest,
AS has been pointed out in these dispatches pro-
gramme looking to the acquisition Of St Thomas,
Santa Cruz and st. John was all but consummated
nearly thirty years The same craftsmanship
which prompted Secretary Seward to recommend
the purchase Of Russian America induced him heart
lily to favor the acquisition of the Danish West
Indies. Senator Sumner then the chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations not in favor
OF the project and his opposition resulted in its
porary abandonment and final defeat Again. in
1870, an effort was made by Secretary Fish. with
the knowledge OF President Grant TO the
islands. Then. as formerly. II proposed to OBJ
tain them by treaty with Denmark. The Danish
Minister to the United States General Bile and
Secretary Fish had drawn up a article TO the
pending treaty extending the time In which II could
be ratified President Grant transmitted this TO the
Senate with a message. The papers went to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of which Mr..
Sumner was still chairman. There in pgeonhole
they remain to-day, with. IT said. this indorse-
ment written by Mr.. Sumner himself Adversely:
suspension of action recommended
The fact Is not generally known. but II is. never
theless. the case, that Admiral Porter took promi-
nent part In bringing about the negotiation Of the
treaty drawn UP during Lincons Administration
Before the close OF the War OF the Rebellion Ad-
miral Porter called the attention Of President Lin
coin TO the Importance OF acquiring st. Thomas
Santa Cruz and ST. John. In communication on
the subject to the Navy Department; he said
St Thomas lies right in the track Of all vessels
the indie S
the United States 1t Is the point where all ships
above quarters 1t Is central point from which
any or all OF the West India islands could be as
parties. and can be fortified any extent. The bay
on which lies the town OF St Thomas is almost cir
cuar. the entrance being by neck guarded by two
heavy forts. which can be 20 strengthened and pro-
it ST. Thomas is sma Gbras ana could
be attacked by a naval force. There would be no
By reefs ana beak a. and point
which vessel or boat could approach is a natural
labor expended on fortified works There is no body
Of water in the west Indies better fitted than ST.
Thomas for naval station Its harbor and that ot
81. John and the harbor formed by the water island
would contain all the vessels Of the largest navy in
the arch of the West Indies 1t commands them
other nation.
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward were
prompt to recognize the Importance TO this Govern
ment Of owning the islands. and Mr.. Seward made
known the wishes Of the Administration 10 General
Raaslon the Danish Minister at Washington. Cen
irFor AL
to King Christian. but the Minister Of Foreign Al
fairs at Copenhagen refused TO negotiate for pur-
chase Mr. Seward. in the winter OF 1865 and 1856.
was travelling the West Indies to recuperate his
health rs result OF personal observation. Ills
conviction was strengthened the advisability
Of purchasing the islands. He brought the subject
to the attention of Presiden, Johnson. and, as a
result OF Cabinet deliberations second proposition
was made 10 Denmark through General Raaslon.
Offering to buy the three islands for 10000 Den
mark declined &c dispose Of tbs Islands at that
price. but agreed TO transf,- them 10 the United
States fo- $4,000 900. St Thomas and St John for
100000 Another condition imposed was that the
people Of the island should express by a popular
vote deIire for annexation 10 this country.
The proposition was acceptable 10 the Johnson
Administration This country and Denmark sen.
representatives to st. Thomas be present at the
voting Of the residents OF the islands. The people
OF ST. Thomas voted In favor Of the transfer. but
stipulated that the city OF ST. Thomas should re-
main free port for specified time. No such
promise could be given however. by the agents Of
the United States and Denmark. and the agents o!
the two Governments returned to Washington dis
appointed. but not discouraged The breach be-
tween President Johnson and the Senate grow
ing meanwhile. Many papers OF the country made
light OF the President and Secretary Seward for
proposing to purchase what they called "lcebergs
at the North Pole" meaning Alaska and Tor
nadoes at the Equator" referring TO ST. Thomas.
In January. 1868. Denmark's representative re-
turned 10 St. Thomas and the second time took d
vote of the people. after having informed them that
the United States could not grant their request for
free trade Only twenty-five votes were registered
against the proposition Of annexation. The treaty
| between this country and Denmark finally
drawn up and transmitted to the Senate. On one
pretext or another action on IL postponed
Shortly afterward President Johnson and Secretary
Seward left office and the Grant Administration
began. General Grant and General Raaslof were
warm personal friends. They talked together fire.
| quently about the treaty
annexation: Later he was won over to the project
and did all in his power TO carry 1t through The
was at hand. Had nothing been done the
negotiation of new treaty would have been neces-
this time held important conference at the Stat
Department. AS result IT was agreed that an
ratification to April IA. 1870 should be adopted
new article. Congress assembled In December
1869. AS stated the treaty went TO Senator Sum
ner's committee but was never reported to the Sen
ate. Mr. Sumner could not be won over TO annexa-
Not since that time has the idea OF purchasing the
| islands been seriously considered. Now however
Denmark and the residents Of St Thomas SANTA
| Cruz and ST. John favoraby disposed to PURCHASE
1t seems likely that the United States VII finally
secure the Islands.
DRIVEN OUT BY FIRE.