The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-27
ONE MORE TRIAL.
Efforts to Close a Bargain With
Denmark
For Purchase of Her West In
dian Islands Renewed.
DIFFERENCE IN PRICE
Seems to Be the Real Thing in
the Way.
France Wants a Chance to Put
in Bid.

Chicago, March pa special to the
Record from Washington, says:
Reports received here from Copenha-
gen are to the effect that negotiations
for the purchase by this country of the
Danish West Indies have been renewed
there, with a fair prospect of compile
tlon. They were inaugurated recently
in this city unofficially and but slight
attention was given the advancerS. 1t
is understood that Henry White, secre-
tary of the embassy al London was re-
Gently a visitor to. Denmark to secure
an agreement for the sale of the islands
at So, 900, but that the government
there is asking about 81, 500, ,000 which
represents the deficit that has accumu-
lated in the revenues of the West In
dian possessions.
FRANCE WANTS THEM.
New York, March 27.-A dispatch to
the Herald from Paris says:
France takes more than ordinary in
terest in the question of the sale of the
Danish West Indies to the United
states; for the ChauvinistS declare that
this country has the right to bid first
in case the islands appear on the mar
ket. The reports that for some time
have been circulated to the effect that
the United States was soon to buy the
islands have always been fatty denied
as We'll by responsible officials of the
Danish government as by Danish diplo-
matte agents in Paris and elsewhere.
uS Z arts papers InlS morning now
ever, print dispatch from Belgium de-
claring that a bill providing for the sale
to the United States will be introduced
in the Danish parliament this week.
1t is not generally known that at the
moment of President Harrison's defeat
for reelection negotiations of this sort
were on the point of consummation
President Cleveland being opposed to
the extension of American territory the
matter was dropped considerably to the
irritation of Denmark
Col. Clark E. Carr. who is now in
Paris was United States minister to
Denmark at that time. He confirms this
view.
Il was unofficially concerned he said
today, in certain negotiations for the
sale of the Danish Antilles. Denmark
then was in the mood to sell them and
l have no hesitation in saying that at
that time there certainly existed no
treaty between Denmark and France
providing that the latter should have
prior rights in case of such a sale.
What has happened since my retire
ment I can not say, but it is reasonab BILE
to suppose that Denmark is still willing
to sell her West Indian possessions"
WASHINGTON IN THE DARK.
Washington, March 27.-The state de-
partment has not been advised that the
Danish government intends to Introduce
bill in the Danish parliament prOvid-
ing for the sale to the United States of
the islands of st. Thomas and ST Croix
The opinion prevails here that if any
such measure is introduced at this
stage, it will be through the indepen-
dent action of some persons not directly
connected with the government of Den
mark. The reason for this belief is
found in the fact that the negotiations
which have been pending in the two
governments in rather indefinite
fashion for some time past, have not
yet reached a stage where legislative
action would seem to be necessary.
DEAL ABOUT CLOSED
London, March 27.-4:30 q. ma dis
patch to the Exchange Telegraph COM
pany from Paris says the sale of the
Danish Antilles to the United States
has practically been completed