Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-04-08
DANISH ISLES INQUIRY
Secretary Hay Writes of His Dealings
With Captain Christmas.
KNOX TELLS OF A CONTRACT
Maryland Man Says He Agreed to
Assist In u Proper Manner In
Bringing About Transfer
of the Danish Isles.

Washington, April S.-Senator Depew
Of New York appeared during the day
before the special house committee IN
yestigating charges in connection Win
the Danish West Indies negotiations.
His statement was brief. He express
ed establishment at having seen his
name in the Christmas report. He did
not know Christmas and never hau
seen him, as far as he was aware, al
though he met thousands OF people ana
could not say just who he had seen'
but as to this Danish island question
he had never had discussion with
any one on the subject.
c, w, Knox Of Glenelgc, Md, whose
name was mentioned in the Christmas
report, told of meeting Christmas
whom he considered cultivated man
who had become entangled with sharp
ers. The witness said he consented to
assist Christmas, and contract was
submitted to the committee by the
terms of which Knox was to assist in
any proper manner in bringing about
the transfer, Knox to receive $4,000 in
case of sale and $3.50 per month.
AS to a S. transaction which had
been referred to. Knox said he gave
Christmas his check for S., which was
Endorsed by Hansen, and he produced
the check. This was the only finan-
cial fact in the entire affair. The wit
ness said he never bribed any one, and
nothing of the kind was ever contem-
plated. He never received any money
from Christmas.
Senator Bacon of Georgia told of
two casual conversations with Christ
mas. AS to the latter's statement that
Mr.. Bacon took great interest in the
purchase of the Danish islands, the
senator declared it was absolutely I'M
true, as he did not believe in the &C
uuisition of the islands and considered
it unfortunate that the United States
was in a position where it seemed nee
essary to take them.
Letter From Secretary Hay.
Chairman Dalzel presented the fol-
lowing letter from Secretary Hay on
the subject:
have received your letter of the 3lst OF
March and in reply beg leave to say:
In the early part of December. 1899, Cap
tain Christmas called upon me at this de-
partment and informed me that through
private and personal sources in Copen-
hagen he had become aware that there
was a disposition among some of the
leading members of the Danish govern
inent to regard favoraby an overture
from the government of the United States
looking to the acquisition of the Danish
islands. He said that he had been naval
officer and spoke at some length in regard
to the desirability of the island of St. John
as a naval station for the United states.
At my suggestion he conveyed what fur
Their technical information he had on this
subject to Admiral Bradford of the navy
department.
Although he presented no credentials
whatever and expressly declared he had
no official character, l thought his story
was of sufficient interest to be worth in
vestigation. / told him l would send a
confidential and trusted agent Of this gov
eminent to Copenha gen to ascertain unof-
fcially the true state of affairs and men
toned to him the name of Henry White.
first secretary Of embassy at London.
Captain Christmas said he would like tC
be in Copenhagen when Mr.. White ar
rived and bring him into communication
with the members Of the government
whom he had mentioned. I gave him 9
note of introduction to Mr.. White. and
they met in Copenhagen. where Captain
Christmas had arranged for an interview
between Mr.. White and member of the
Danish government. Christmas was not
present at this interview. and his con-
nection with the matter ceased entirely at
that time. He afterward returned to
Washington, and l saw him once or twice
but told him that there was no need of
the services of any private person in any
negotiation which might be taken up be-
tween the two governments in regard to
the acquisition of the islands
I inclose copy of a letter which I gave
to the Danish minister in Washington at
the time of the signing of the recent
treaty and also copy of a letter which J
have received from the Danish minister,
Mr.. Brun dated the 3lst CT March, 1902
Very sincerely yours, JOHN HAY
No Obligations. Says Hay.
In the letter to Mr.. Brun Of Den
mark, inclosed, Mr.. Hay refers to the
signing of the convention of cession
and adds:
The government Of the United States is
in no manner under obligation to the
SOOu OlllCeS VI plINdlc PdIticS III EeaCHITS
the agreement now happily brought about
between the United States and Denmark
and cannot admit for its own part or sup
port in any way any such claim against
Denmark for commission. compensation
or remuneration Of whatever nature which
might be made by private parties for al
legged services In connection with the ces-
sion Of the islands In question to the Unit
ed States.
The letter from Minister Brun states
that Captain Christmas had no au-