Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-27
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER q, 1899.
prNMARK,s PROBABLE GAME.

The report that Germany has cast a
covetous eye upon ST. Thomas. one Of the
Danish West Indies. continues 10 be a
leading topic Of discussion with the north
crn papers. And as we noticed the other
Gay, the papers that appear TO be most
clustered" over the matter are. as
rule. supporters OF the administrations
imperiallstic policy. We DO not think
there Is much danger Of Germany's strik-
ing a bargain with Denmark. Doubtless
when the truth is known it viii be dis
covered that the report was inspired
from Copenhagen. The Danish West
Indies are not q gold mine. commercially
speaking, for their owner, and consider
ing that Denmark. practically and COM
parativoly speaking, is a cipher as a
naval power, they are OF little value 20
ner as a strategic possession. For years
She has been willing TO unload them, and
as far back as 1861, agreed 10 sell as two
Of the group-St. Thomas and 81. John
for s750OO0e. Mr. Seward. who was then
Secretary Of State. concluded "A treaty
with the King Of Denmark for the ces-
SION Of the islands 20 us at that price,
but Charles SumDer. chairman Of the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
and who was at daggers' points with
President Andrew Johnson. bitterly an
tagonized the agreement. and the Senate
most unceremoniously turned IL down.
Now. however. it is just possible that
Denmark encouraged by the fact that
we have recently entered the market FOR
the purchase of bits Of nsnlar property
and job lots Of polyglotic. polytechnic.
and vari-colorcd peoples. and approclat-
ing, what our lmperdalistic contemporaries
are urging that we cannot afford to have
as so near a neighbor one of the great and
virile Powers. IS playing Germany against
us. In order TO force US into deal. Ii is
distinctly 20 Germany's interest not TO
incur the ill-wall OF this country by pant
ing herself upon any one OF the group
Under oil the circumstances, an attempt
10 do 40 would be out OF harmony with
the Kaisers efforts to further stimulate
German commercial Development But
there is nothing 10 prevent Germanys
doing Denmark a friendly service by be-
coming the innocent instrument OF our
being squeezed. Germany could not be
held responsible should Denmark choose
20 use her as a figure OF straw. TO trade
upon orr apprehension, bull the island
market and make money out OF our
dream OF expansion. As diplomacy goes
that would be legitimate business. 1t
would even be in accord with Bismarck's
idea Of honest brokerage"
But whether Denmark succeeds or not
in making us a customer for her West
Indian group, the CHEZ argument on
which our imperialisuc contemporaries
rely In exposing" the gravity of the
question bends 70 place this country in
very absurd and inconsistent position
The New York Times, for instance, after
dwelling OF the fact that "our policy Of
discourasing fresh European acquisitions
OF territory near our coast Is an ancient
one" contends that "the objections which
we have repeatedly urged 10 the transfer
OF Cuba TO strong power were pre-
cisely the same In kind as those which
now lie against the transfer OF st.
n
Our contemporary then points out that
Denmark would never give us the least
trouble. whereas Germany might give as
a great deal, and adds:
when John Quincy Adams was
Secretary OF state. in 1923. he
wrote that the transfer Of Cuba
10 Great Britain would be an event
unpropitous TO the interests of this
Union. JEFFERSON IN the same year,
said such a transfer would be "a great
calamity 10 us.' TWO years later Clay.
then Secretary OF State. wrote that We
could not consent TO the occupation OF
Cuba and Puerto Rico by any other conn
try than Spain under any contingency
whatever. Secretary Forsyth wrote lu
1919 that the United states would employ
the military and naval forces OF the
Union 70 resist any attempt by Euro
pean power 20 wrest Cuba from Spain.
Secretary Marcy said the same thing i'm
1853"
Precisely, and before Adams and JEFF
ferson. Washington, IN a broader ard
more general way. laid down the great
principle involved In the declarations the
Times has cited. And. IN all Tne declara-
Hons under consideration. we find the as.
keflon OF our side. 30 to speak OF The
Monroe doctrine. and consequently