The evening times., 1900-01-02
TEE DANISH WEST indies
Details Of Negotiations Concerning
the Proposed Sale.
4 Friend of Captain Christmas Tells
of That Officers Part in Arrang-
ing for the Expected Transfer.
Ihc Islanders Said TO BE in Favor
of annexation TO the United states.

NEW YORK. Jan. 2.-Interest has beer
aroused by the announcement contained
in the cable message from Copenhagen
Denmark that negotiations for the sal,
of the Dutch West Indies TO the United
States may soon be completed, Captain
Christmas. of the Danish royal navy, hav-
ing obtained the support OF several cabinet
officers i'm the undertaking.
Carl Fischer Hansen. Danish lawyer
who lives in West Forty-seventh Street,
this city. and is a friend of Captain
Christmas. is taking part in the arrange
ments. He said in an interview:
AS is generally known, the first nego-
tiations tor the sale Of the islands 10 the
United States began in 1867. They were
not consummated. and nothing more wss
done in that direction until the last year
OF President Clevelands Administration. |
saw the President and Senator Lodge upon
the subject at Jhat time At the diIection
cf interested persons in Denmark, but the
Venezuelan trouble nteryened.
About a year and half after President
Mckinley assumed Office | called upon him
and Secretary sherman. II was believed
that the United States would at that time
have paid IS. COO, coo for the islands, and
this was the price fixed. The war with
Spain interviewed. and again consideration
of the subject ceased.
AT the conclusion of the war the United
States had gained Porto Rico. There was,
therefore. less need than before for thls
country TO acquire the Danish West lndleS
Denmark. however, had no desire TO retain
the islands. as the annual expense of the
colony to the home government amounts 10
about Sll5.U00. while there is no CORE
snrnding revenue. owing TO the iact that
there is no longer as much importation Ci
sugar from st. CroiN as existed before pee
sugar was manufactured In Europe
Capt. W Won Christmas Dirdinck-Hoim-
field uhis is Captain Christmas full namel
WAS ordered 10 visit the islands 10 ascer-
tain the views OF the Danish residents up
on the subject of a sale for they have no
right 10 vote upon the question He made
three visits during the year just passed and
found complete willingness that the ISL
ands should pass under the American flag.
Then Captain Christmas went TO Wash
ington for the purpose OF explaining 10
President Mckinley the course taken by
the Danish Government and informing him
that the islands could be acquired for
>. coo eco. explaining that Denmark could
moi FOR various reasons. take the initiative
in offering the islands 10 this country Off
Cially at this time.
Captain Christmas was requested by
Secretary Hay 10 return to Copenhagen and
obtain from his government more definite
instructions. He was asked 10 stop IN
oudon and call upon Secretary White. OF
the United States Legation who would be
directed to accompany him TO Copenhagen
for the purpose of conferring with officials
Of the Danish Government. Owing 10 ill
ness in Mr. Whites family. however, the
Secretary was unable TO go.
Captain Christmas proceeded alone TO
Copenhagen and reported TO his govern
ment the result OF his visit. Last week he
was ordered to return to Washington. and
expects 10 sail from Hamburg for New
York within day or two.
Mr.. Hansen denied report that Admiral
Dewey was acting as an Intermediary in
the proposed purchase.