The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-17

Capt. Christmas Dircknich Holmfeld
the authorized agent OF the Danish Gov
eminent, is expected in Washington today.
He comes TO hold conference with the
President and the Secretary of State over
| the sale of the Danish West Indies, conf
prising the islands OF st. Thomas. st.
Croix and st. John.
The Danish Government wants $1,000. 900
for the islands, and while they are not
considered particularly valuable to this
country, it is said that they will probably
be bought to keep Germany or some other
foreign power from getting control of
them. For several years the islands have
proven losing investment for Denmark,
and 1t is said that government is deter
not buy them, then they will be offered
for sale to Germany or any other country
which will buy them, Germany is said to
have an option on the islands. but this is
denied by Captain Christmas.
a State Department officia' said yester
day; ut is not yet certain that this Gov
eminent will purchase the Danish West
Indies. A good deal will depend upon the
result of the conference between Captain
Christmas, the President, and the Secretary
of State. 1t is self evident that we would
prefer to hold the islands ourselves than to
have any Continental power get control OF
them. The President, of course. could not
purchase the Islands, nor could he or the
Secretary of State enter into any contract
with Captain Christmas that would be
binding upon this country. To get control
Of the islands it would be necessary for
Congress 10 pass a resolution authorizing
the President to enter into negotiations
with the Danish Government for the pur-
chase of them. With this resolution
passed, the President and Secretary of
State could come to some agreement with
Captain Christmas about the price to be
paid for the islands, and Congress would
then have TO pass bill appropriating
whatever sum was necessary TO pay for the
islands. After their purchase the sale
would have to be ratified by the Senate,
which undoubtedly would be done if the
bill appropriating the money for the pur-
chase had been passed by Congress.
II is argued by those In favor OF the pur-
chase Of the islands that the reason that
they have proven Improbable TO Dsnmark
Is tnelT great distance from tne fuOtneT
country, and because OF their proximity TO
Porto Rico and Ile fact that they are only
a short distance from our southern coast
they could be made a paying investment to
this country.
1t is generally believed that the confer
ence between Captain Christmas. The Pres
ident, and Secretary Hay. will result In the
President having the question Of purchas-
ing the islands brought before Congress,
and whether the resolution authorizing the |
purchase is introduced into this Congress /
or not, Captain Christmas, IL is said, will !
be given such assurances will enable |
him to notify his government that tie |
United States viii buy the islands within |
the next year or two.
II is said in department circles that the !
only doubt in the premises arises from the |
vast disbursements necessary 10 be made |
by the Government In the next few yeIs |
by reason Of the condition of affairs In the I
the construction OF the 18TH |
nian Canal. and the projected Pacific cable.
md that the actual purchase Of the islands
nay be deferred until the Fifty-seyenth
Congress meets, although no doubt is ex-
pressed that they will ultimately fall into
he hands OF the United States.