New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.

Washington, Dec. 2s.-The negotiations between
the Government of the United States and the Gov
ernment of Denmark have been in progress. al
though intermittenty, for the last two years. In
the earlier stages something was attempted here
through the resident Minister of Denmark, Con-
stantin Brun and Captain Christmas Dirk
feldt, but while these efforts laid the foundation
for what followed in Europe, they could not be re-
garded successful. and after mature considera-
ton the State Department decided that Mr.. Sven
son, the United States Minister to Denmark, was
the best person TO deal with the in the inter
ests of this country Therefore. full instructions
and measure of authority given to him.
He had nearly succeeded in his object last spring
when, through an internal change in Denmark. the
Minister of Foreign Affairs displaced. The
Minister was opposed the transfer of the
islands to the United States, and a of
patriotic feeling swept over the country before
which the Government obliged to yield, and
thcs Iegotia tlsns were suspended Tor time. Now.
however change has taken place in public
opinion in Denmark, and the present Minister Of
Foreign Affairs has it is believed here reluct-
antly the conclusion that for financial
reasons it is scarcely possible to hold the islands
Their export trade normally done in large part
with the United States, has been greatly depressed
and though the commerce might yield sufficient
revenue under unrestrained intercourse with the
United States to make the islands self-sustaining
at present they drag on Denmark, and the
Danish Government is Obliged to make good
considerable deficit on their account.
The sum named in the Copenhagen dispatch as
the price to be paid for the islands is equivalent
about So 900 1t is impossible to learn whether
this is the maximum price to be offered Purely
business reasons would account for the official
Mnson on had hs snde in Geag With
the matter, but 1t is intimated here that he has
OF course acceptance of his proposition by the
Danish Government would not complete the trans
action. The transfer can be accomplished only
under treaty, which must be accepted by the
United States Senate And Also owing TO the
necessity for providing the money to be paid for
the islands, the House of Representatives must
sary appropria tion. The treaty would undoubtedly
consume much time in consideration, basing the
belief the course assumed by the Senate in
passing treaties, and scarcely more than two
months remain of the present session of Congress,
speedy action would be required the mart of the
nesotiators at Copenhagen in order to allow
reasonable chance for action on the treaty before
adjournment
The Danish West Indies consist of the islands of
ST. Croix St Thomas and st. John. St. Croix, the
largest, lies sixtyve miles east-souheas of Porto
Rico and is about twenty miles long and five miles
wide. with of 10 square miles. 1t is gen.
orally fat well watered and fertile The climate is
are of frequent occurrence. Two-hfths of the
surface in sugar plantations. the principal
The capital is Christiansted and there is another
town called Fredericksted The population is about
1900.
St Thomas lies thlrty-eight miles east of Porto
miles wide. 1t has a rugged and elevated surface
attaining its greatest height toward the The
The population of the island is about 14OOO Char
lotte Amalie, the chief town and the seat of Gov
ernment of the Danish West Indies, has excel
lent harbor and an extensive trade
st. John has an area of forty-tWo square miles
The chief exports are cattle and bayrum. The capi-
tai is CruX Bay, and the population about 1000.