The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-22
THE DANISH VEST INDIES.
Will the United states Buy the Islands
NovY-ours They Should BE.

Will the limited stntes Buy the Islands
Noy?-ours They Should BE.
To exchange island possessions. to sell or to
buy, seems to be present-day iashioh among
nations Porto Rico. 10 Is true. came TO tho
United States through tho fortunes oil war
But the amiable settlement OF the samoan ulI-
Hculty was not brought about without suita-
bic compensation to the power that Whhnre"
from the triumvirate. Barter pays no in-
consequential tart In the insuiar trahsac''ohs
OF the Pacific and the Atlantic.
Very rccently the ruGlor gained currency
TINT Denmark would be willing to dispose OF
its islands In tho West Indies II was said that
the Danish Government had ohered the three
islands for $4,000. 900. an that the prorosltion
had been laid before the authorities Mt wash
ineton. The American Embassy IN London. u
was said In addition. was assisting IN the ne
gotiations Bnt the reply of the United states
| is still held In allegiance.
That Denmark wants TO dispose Of islands
40 far away from the soat of government there
can be no doubt What adds interest to this
matter Ia the attitude OF France. For France
IL anxious to secure q coaling station north OF
Martinique and nothing would suit the French
Government better than to obtain Possession
OF st. Thomas for that purpose But Will the
Danish Government sell to France? And will
| the United States allow European nation to
invade the Western Hemisphere Those are
| questions largely for the Cnted States to
answer II by buying the islands this Govern
| ment prevents a foreign power Ia gain entrance
| to the archipelago such course might seem tho
| best OF all For II Denmark says she has no
further use for the islands. and II her Offer to
| this country Ia refused. would not the littlo
nation be somewhat justified In finding n
| purchaser who stands ready with an offer?
| Denmark knows better than any other nation
the peculiar predicament in which the present
situation leaves her. A well-to-do nation. but
| with no more means than needed. II stands TO
reason that her efforts to sell now have some
| economic base. Patriotic as are the Danes.
their patriotism allows them to dispense with
possessions which. instead OF being benefit.
seem a burden. The same difficulties that be-
set Spain IN the Antilles In somewhat less
degree make the Danish West Indies undeslr-
price. 81 S3.O0OO00. II correctly stated should
which. upon one OF her occasion, offered 81 500
900 FOR, st. Thomas and 81 John. Tina. tho
islands have not decreased in value since then
might seem reasonable supposition.
The several pcRntinti91s which h1ye taken
as regards the transfer Of the Danish West
Inhles make not embarrassing reading. Tho
frst ATTEMPT to gain possession o. the Islands
II was due to tho farsirhtedncss OF Secretary
Seward that the subject was brought NJ. II
was not due To any lack OF interest on his part
that the scheme oi purchase was defeated.
1t lisa somewhat curious fac, that the fret
suggestion that this country gain the islands
came up during a dinner given at the. French
Embassy at Washington. i was in January:
Ut the dinner in question. turned to. thc. Danish
Charge d'A fairs, Gen. Ilaaslof: and asked the
Latter whether Denmark would ne willing e, t.,
Denmark porting. with its West India posses
sIons; but he told Secretary Seward that he
which he did.
The reply which Denmark finally gave
Islands. Secretary seward kept insisting,
Then came President Lincoln's assassination.
and no further thought was given to the
Mr., Seward recovered from the attempt on
preached Gen. Raaslof to hear what the Danish
isiands. Il seems that a. new Ministry had
come into power at Copenhagen: one lesa op-
posed 90 the transfer OF the Danish possessions
The result Of the inquiry Of Mr.. Seward came
United States was willing 70 pay. Mr.. seward.
who 10 the meantime had naid visit 70 the
St TG re e 4@G
$5o0o.oG4 for 81 Thomas: s.. Croix and 81.
might Go had Tor SiS. 900 900 Or. Il, only. two
eoSd so NOR for sioooo0S Beside All hs DANISH
| Government eXacted that vote ~ the Is
landers should show the consent OF the people
| to the transfer. or not
Mr, Seward now answered that his Gov
ernment would nay $1,000. 900 IN gold for the
three islands but the vote he objected 20.
| Denmark rejected the terms, however and
made n new proposition. 81. Thomas and st
| John could he hHh for 81, 500. 900. or nll three
islands for Sl1 25O.OOO After considerable
pickering Secretary Seward finally con sen ed
10 pay $1,000. OO0 FOR s.. Thomas and - John
| And IA the Danish Government held to the vote
matter this point was also agreed to. On Oct
"a. 1867. the treaty was signed nv Mr.. Icaman
the United States Minister nj Copenhagen. md
Count Frijs. the Danish Minister for Foreign
Affair." But the United States did not get the
| isands.
The battle between President johnson and
Congress was then being wnGcd with ali that
relentless energy which caused the great no.
| litical upheavnl Of III" time The limit Of time
named IN the treaty for It's ratification nv Con,
grcss was Feb -. 1898. The Danish Rigsdar
and the Danish King had already placed
their signatures to the document Whcr
II was seen that rho political turbulence woult
make II i'm possible for Congress to take nc
tion tho time for the ratification of thu
treaty was extended to the following October
Then. without any further action. the Senate
OF that session dropped the whole affair 1t I,
said that Charles summer. who was then tn,
chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Eela
lions ~ the Senate. was responsible for III,
upsattinG of arranged plans. summer VIII,
had a sonal quarrel with the Administration
simrlv refused to report back the treaty to tn,
Senate.