The Van Buren press., 1900-05-05
Roots Speech Explained.

ST. Louis Republic Special.
NEW YORK, April 30. The "Times
says this morning that an explanation Is
now forthcoming, backed by an official
report and copies Of original documents,
for the sentiments expressed by Secretary
Root at the Grant dinner last Friday
night, at the Waldorf. Astoria Hotel.
This explanation shows that the Secre, q,
tary of War had In view the future OF
the Danish West India Islands, concern
ing which an intrigue, not yet COM
pleted has been in progress. The parties
interested includes Henry H. Rogers, a
director of the Standard Oil company,
certain officers of the Danish Govern
ment and some high German func-
tionaries.
What led up to Secretary Roots ont
burst Is told In an official report just
submitted TO the Danish Government by
Captain W. Won Christmas Dirckinck.
Holmfeld. The Captain was the special
envoy of his Government TO negotiate
the sale of the islands to the United
States, and his report, which has been
put in the hands of Mr.. Hoerring, the
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance,
states that the failure of the negotiations
is due to the interference of Mr.. Rogers.
The facts stated in the Captain report
are in the hands of the State Department
at Washington. 1t is now stated that
unless Congress acts on the Danish West
India matter before June q scheme will
be carried out to exchange the islands
with Germany for the whole ora part OF
North Schleswig, which, with Holstein,
was taken from Denmark by Germany
in 1857, and which country 1t has al
ways been the fondest hopes of all Danes
to recover,
The sudden appearance In this country
Of Secretary White Of the American
Embassy In London, has also to do with
this matter of the sale of the Danish
West Indies, although, like u good
diplomatist, Mr.. White denies that he
is here on official business. Mr.. White
was, however, the agent of the United
States to Denmark during the negotia-
tions, and to him the Danish Govern
ment named the price 1t wanted for the
islands between SO, 900, 900 and 81 OO0,-
900.
Mr.. Rogers and the Standard Oh
company first appeared In the Danish
West India islands matter about three
years ago, just prior to the breaking
ont of the war with Spain. Mr.. Rogers,
by letter and through the agents of the
Standard Oil company In Denmark,
among them Niels Gron, made a propo.
sition to the Danish Government that
for n commission of 10 per cent. on the
purchase price, he would undertake the
sale of the Danish West Indies to the
United States. Mr.. Rogers stated that
he was In position to do what he pro,
posed on account of his influence and
the influence of his company with United
States Senators,
Mr.. Gron went to the Danish Minister
of Finance and Mr.. Rogers proposition
was accepted.
Some time later II leaked out that
Rogers was attempting to make capital
out of the influence he controlled, and
Captain Christmas says that he was so
indignant that he refused to continue
negotiations with him and, after calling
on Secretary Hay, related to him the
interviews he had had with Rogers and
aron, bearing on the Danish Islands,
Captain Christmas says that Secretary
Hay was equally indignant when he
heard what the Danish agent had to say,
and promised to look into the matter.
1.-THE Standard Oil company does not
yet own the United States Govern
ment, Secretary Hay told Captain
Christmas,
While the negotiations were ruptured
by the interference Of Rogers, Germany
at once became active, Between Its
Ambassador In Denmark and the Danish
Ambassador at the German court there
were frequent negotiations, while Am l.
bassador Holleben In Washington kept
his Government fully informed OF the
state of the negotiations between
Denmark and the United States.
II has been said by those who are close
to the Danish Government that King
Christian will not allow the United
States to plead the Monroe Doctrine MS a
bar to negotiations with Germany for
the ceding or lease Of the islands TO that
country. He will maintain that he has
already given the Monroe Doctrine
sufficient consideration IN that he offered
n number of times to sell the islands to
the United States and every time the
negotiations have fallen through on
account Of the failure Of Congress to
rntifv the agreement,