Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-08
DEPEW BEFORE COMMITTEE
Senator Does Not Know Christmas and Has
No Connection with the Affair.
HAY WRITES EXPLANATORY LETTER
Secretary Of state tia n Letter 20
Chairman DnIzen Tells of
His Negotiations with
Christmas.

charges in connection with the Danish West
Indies negotiations. His statement was
brief. He expressed establishment at hav-
ing seen his name In the Christmas report.
He did not know Christmas and never had
seen him, as far as he was aware, although
he met thousands Of people and could not
say just who he had seen, But as to this
Danish island question he never had had
a discussion with anyone on the subject.
c. w. Knox of Maryland, whose name
was mentioned in the Christmas report, told
Of meeting Christmas, whon1 he considered
a cultivated man who had become en-
tangled with sharpers. The witness said
he consented to assist Christmas and a
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 SIS, 900 in case
Of a sale and $3.50 per month. AS TO a IS
transaction which had been referred to,
Knox said he gave Christmas his check for
s., which was indorsed by Hansen. and
he produced the check. This was the only
financial fact in the entire affair. The wit
ness said he never bribed anyone. and
nothing Of the kind was ever contemplated;
he never received any money from Christ
mas.
In response to questions from members
Of the committee Mr.. Knox specifically
denied that he had introduced Christmas
to w. ]. Bryan or that he had claimed
to Christmas that he was an intimate
friend Of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon of Georgia told Of two
casual conversations with Christmas. 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 untrue and he did not believe
in the acquisition of the islands, and con-
sidered it unfortunate that the United
States was in a position where 1t seemed
necessary to take them.
Hay writes n Letter.
Chairman Dalzell presented the following
letter from Secretary Hay on the subject:
T. Hon. John Dalzell. Chairman, Select
Committee, etc: i have received your
letter of the S1st of March and in reply
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 lead
ing members of the Danish government to
regard favorably an overture from the gov
eminent of the United States looking to the
that he had been a naval officer and spoke
at some length I'm regard to the d~esirability
Of S6r the The lSl nnfte Of 81 Staten 59hn At af a nv gay sass sestiion
he conveyed what further technical in
formation he had on this subject TO Ad-
Although he presented no credentials what
ever, and expressly declared that he had
Was Of SUFFICIENT Interest to be worth in.
vestigation. l told him l would send a
confidential, and trusted agent of this gov
rnmen to Copenhagen to ascertain un-
officially the true state of affairs and men,
toned 10 him the name of Henry White,
tain Christmas said he would like to be
IN Copenhagen when Mr.. White. arrived
and bring him into communication witt
members of the government whom he hao
ton to Mr.. white and they met in copen.
ranged for an interview between Mr.. White
and a member of the Danish government
i MT dnals and his w Connection eeStdi pr with the lattei
ceased entirely at that time. He after
ward returned to Washington. and l saw
no need for services of any private person
in any negotiation that might be taken VI
the ACQUISITION OF the Islands. I enclost
a copy of a letter which / gave to the
Danish minister in Washington at the tim,
also a copy OF a letter which have re,
ceived from the Danish minister, Mr.. Brun
cerely yours, JOHN HAY.
Signing OF the Convention.
IN a letter 10 Minister bIuu Oh denmark
enclosed. Mr.. Hay refers to the signing Of
the convention Of cesslon and adds;
The government of the United States II
in no manner under obligation to the gooC
Offices of private parties in reaching thu
agreement now happily brought about be
cannot admit for It's own part or supper
IN any way any such claim against Den
Enumeration of whatever nature whicl
might be made by private parties 70
alleged services IN eonneeUon with n
4 United States.
A letter from Minister Brun states tina
Captain Christmas had no authorization
whateyer; to enter into negotiations in thu
name of the Danish government, nor Il
make any promises in the name OF the
government in connection herewith" Mr.
Brun also says he gave Captain Christmas
no letter OF introduction. but refused hi
request in this connection.
Representative Richardson said h,
thought Mr.. Hay should come before tn,
committee and should produce any letter.
he had in connection with Christmas goin,
to Copenhagen.
Hay Ready 10 appear.
Chairman Dalzell stated that Seeretary
Hay was ready to appear at any time hi
presence was desired. The chairman ratheI
emphatically diSsented from Mr.. Richard
sons suggestion that as the secretary "ha
used this man, there should be a more de,
tailed explanation OF any communication
sent to him. No arrangement was made al
to Mr.. Hays appearing, but IL was under
stood he would be heard later.
Isaac N. Seligman OF the firm Of ]. ant
w Seligman, bankers at New York, told o
Christmas asking the firm to take charge o
money transfers in case OF a cession Of tn,
islands. The firm wrote to the private
banker at Copenhagen mentioned by Christ
mas and the answer from that institution
was unsatisfactory, giving no confirmation
Of Christmas authority. After that M
seligman said the firm dismissed the mat
ter.
when MIR. Cousins asked as to Christmas
statement that the Seligmans had guaran
teed certain contracts Mr.. Seligman laugh
ingly declared such statements were mad,
ons 81 wrhnla cIoth