Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-18
THE DANISH WEST INDIES
Reluctance of Authorities to Discuss Pro-
posed Purchase.
In Doubt as to the Popularity of the
step-CaPt. HolmfeId's Visit of
No Significance

Capt. Christmas Dircknich Holmfeld
formerly of the Danish navy has come to
this city for the purpose of interesting the
authorities, If possible in proposition for
the purchase Of the Danish West Indies bv
the United States, but so far without much
success 1t is an old business with him
ana his failure to impress the powers that
be with the supreme merits of his scheme
Is manly due, no doubt to the fact that
he appears SIMPLY as an individual and not
as the representative of Denmark or any
one else having power to negotiate in .he
matter The fact that he has just arrived
mere from visit to Denmark has led many
newspapers to the erroneous conclusion
that he speaks for the Danish government
and represents it in the revived scheme for
the sale of the Danish West Indies to the
United States for a large consideration.
Di>claims a Delegates Authority.
1t is to his credit. however. that he is not
attempting to sail under false colors in that
respect In order to correct the impression
that he is acting in a representative capac-
lty he has issued a card in which he dis
claims all such authority, remarking that
as all well-informed people understand Mr.
t"nStantln Brun. the Danish minister hero.
represents the Danish government OFF,
cially in all matters coming before the
State Department.
My visit, he says, lis largely personal
and wholly unofficial. Having thorough
knowledge of the Danish West Indies, by
reason of my position in navy, my serv-
ices are simply placed at the disposal of the
Danish minister, as well your State De-
partment, to furnish any expert informa-
ton regarding the islands that may be de-
sired
II disclaim all responsibility for inter-
views. or pretended interviews. putting me
a -,l-;,,
Danish government on the subject | have
given no such interviews at any time"
He called at the State Department yester-
day afternoon and endeavored to put him
self right with Secretary Hay. He ex-
planned that he did not have any creder-
ttals from the Danish government, and that
his interest in the matter of the proposed
transfer of the Danish West Indies was
due solely to his familiarity with the ques-
tfon and the conditions prevailing in the
Islands. He thought that the ACQUISITION
OF the islands by the United States would
De good thing for all the parties con-
cerned, and he was prepared in a private
capacity. however, to supply any fnforma-
tion or render any other service that might
lead to that result. Secretary Hay thanked
him for his voluntary services and said
that II he had any occasion to go outside
Of the regular channels for information in
regard to the Islands he would bear in mind
captain Holmfelds s offer to furnish it.
Reticence of the Officials.
secretary hay and the other officials of
the State Department decline to admit or
deny that the United States government is
in negotiation or contemplates reopening
negotiations for the acquisition of the Dan
ish West Indies. The visible reluctance of
the officials to discuss this subject has led
TO the impression that the government has
reasons of its own for Withholding from
the public for the present the actual status
OF the case. In fact, an intimation has
been given that a free discussion Of the
subject at this time might very seriously
prejudice any attempt the administration
may have in contemplation to secure the
assent of Congress-and big appropriation
for the acquisition of the islands. 1t is
not admitted that the matter has progress
ed to the point that determination has
been reached to adopt the project. 1t is
realized that such an admission might lead
to troublesome inquiries from other ma
ticns. and from citizens of the United
States opposed TO such acquisition. There
is no doubt that certain officers of the ad-
nlinistration have given serious thought to
the advisability of acquiring the islands
The fact that so much secrecy is thrown
around the proceedings is taken to indi-
cate, however, that the administration is
in serious doubt as to the popularity of
such q proposition.