New-York tribune., 1900-05-21
PRICE THREE CENTS.
A BROKER FOR ISLANDS.
CAPTAIN CHRISTMAS'S SCHEME TO SELL
DANISH WEST INDIES
A CONTRACT FOR INFLUENCE" IN CON-
GRESS-REPULSED BY THE STATE
DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT.
Washington. May 20 (speciaD.-The State
Department is at loss TO understand how Sd
many persons apparently could be deceived by
the representations of Captain ". V Christmas
Dirkinck- Holmfeld formerly an officer OF the
Danish navy. and more recently the alleged
agent of Denmark to procure the purchase OF
the West Indian Islands belonging 10 that king
dom by the United States. This Government
had been officially aware for many years OF the
Willingness of Denmark to sell the islands and
OF the exact price that must be paid for them.
the only difficulty being 70 secure the necessary
appropriation from Congress. From the
ment Of the Names destruction the desire to
close the bargain had been acute, but Congress
continued TO show no concern in the matter.
secure in the belief that the possession of other
West Indian islands was unnecessary in view OF
the eventual and actual acquisition OF Porto
Rico.
A MYSTERY TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
1t mystery TO the State Department,
therefore. that with much heralding and noisy
advance notices Captain Christmas should come
TO Washington several months ago. with the
announced determination of conducting dip
lomatic negotiations for transferring the
sovereignty of the islands. When he visited
the State Department it found, as antici-
pated, that he had no credentials. and beyond
brief conversations which he had with Secre-
tary Hay and Admiral Bradford further at
tention paid TO him by Government off,
cials. In view of the rebuff given by the Sem
ate 10 the advances made by Denmark to con-
vey the islands to the United States many years
ago. it was not deemed advisable TO ask the
Danish Minister. Mr.. Brun. IN Washington. or
to have the American Minister. Mr. Swenson. IN
Copenhagen, ask officially the status of Captain
Christmas; but Henry White. the Secretary OF
Embassy at London. managed to visit Denmark
in personal capacity and ascertain that the
Danish Governments position in the matter was
absolutely unchanged by any recent occur
rences-
Captain Christmas was made distinctly to un.
derstand during his visit to the State Depart
ment that when the United States got ready to
| buy the islands the dealing with Denmark would
be direct. and middlemen would be recog-
nized Notwithstanding this disbursement
| the reputed agent went about spreading the be-
| lief in the Third HOUSE. and other legislative
/ precincts that millions O. doI'ers would be
venientIy put in circulation II the sale could be
| Consummated during the present session OF Con-
| gress According to his representations Den
mark would be glad to get S1.U0OOOo for the
| islands, and all above that figure would be
divided among the faithful contributed
| their influence 70 the speedy sale
| He entered into formal contracts for about
| 81. 100000 worth Of influence in the aggregate.
| including one. according to the story told
here with jefferson selgman. banker. OF
| New-York which in effect intended
| 10 float Christmas himself limited
| liability corporation. Under its terms Selig-
man was to receive 10 per cent of the net profits
| of the sale. and in consideration of advancing
| what ready cash was needed TO further the en-
terprise he was entitled to another 212 per cent
WHAT EVANS WAS TO DO
| One of the agreements. which was with Rich
] ard P Evans a Washington attorney. was as
| follows:
This memorandum of agreement made at the
| CITY of New York the 18th day OF March, ~
! D. 1900 by and between Captain w V. Christ
| mac Dirkinck- -Holmfeld of Copenhagen. Den
| mark and Richard 2. Evans, attorney anu
counsellor at law. of Washington D. Z
Witnesseth: That the said Captain W. v.
| Christmas Observation-Disclosures. as the represent
tative of Denmark in the matter of the proposed
| sale of the Danish West Indian Islands 10 the
United States of America during this session OF
the present Congress- has retained the legal
services of the said Richard P. Evans. attorney
and counsellor at law. in matters pertaining TO
the purchase by the United States from the
Kingdom of Denmark of the West Indian ISL
ands and has agreed 10 pay TO the said Richard
P Evans for his said legal services hereinafter
described, rendered and to be rendered in the
matter of said purchase the fee and comPensa-
ton of fifty thousand dollars (SoOOOo in United
States money, contingent upon the consumma-
ton OF the said purchase far as the United
States concerned
by the Congress- approved by the President OF
the United States. of treaty or bill carrying
an appropriation OF money acceptable in amount
to the Government of Denmark. exceeding three
million five hundred thousand dollars (S3,5oo.-
OOO) for the purchase OF said Danish West
Indian Islands. and in event OF the said pur-
chase being consunmated by payment OF an
amount acceptable TO the Government of Den
mark of three million five hundred thousand
dollars (S3, 5IOO00 or less. then said Captain
Christmas Dirkinck- -Holmfeld agrees TO pay to
the said Richard p Evans the sum OF forty
thousand dollars (S40.00O) as his full fee and
compensation for his said services
Provided That said law shall be enacted be-
fore the adjournment OF the present United
States Congress; otherwise this agreement is
void and Of no effect
And he agrees that the laid payment and
compensation shall be made through Carl
Fischer Hansen. attorney and counsellor at law.
of No 90 Liberty-st., Borough of Manhattan.
the city and county OF New-York as the attorney
to the Danish Government in the matter OF the
said negotiation for the sale of the Danish West
Indian Islands TO the Government Of the United
States of America. and that he personally Will
become surety for the payment.
And further witnesseth That said Richard p.
Evans. attorney and counsellor az law. has en-
tered upon the said service and has agreed 10
perform such legal services faithfully and with
dispatch for the prompt accomplishment OF said
purchase, and that ne will prepare and present
facts, briefs. arguments and accessory dOcu-
ments and data TO the committee OF Congress
and others. in the furtherance Of said purchase
for the said fee and compensation OF fifty thou
sand dollars $3.50 OO0) said alternative fee OF
forty thousand dollars (S4O0oO) as hereinbefore
stipulated. contingent upon the contamination
OF the said purchase Of the said Danish West
Indian Islands by the United States under a
treaty or laws enacted by the present session
OF the present Congress of the United States.
and TO do any and all other acts as an at
torney at law necessary TO the accomplishment
OF said purchase before Congress. the executive
departments and the courts without any other
or further compensation fee. or any dis
bursement whatsoever for any OF said services
than as hereinoefere stipulated and set forth