The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-07
All Differences Growing out OF the
Transaction to he Arbitrat-
ed at The Hague.
DECISION BY MR.. TRACEWELL
REFUND OF DUTIES ON
IMPORTS FROM PORTO RICO.
War Revenue Reduction Bill Pro-
gramme-Action Of Committees OF
Both Houses OF Congress.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.-Following is the
full text of the treaty between the United
States and Denmark for the cessiOn OF the
Danish West Indian islands St Thomas.
St. John and ST. Croix. which was recently
negotiated between Secretary Gage on the
part of the United States and Minister Brun
for Denmark
Article l.
His Majesty, the King Of Denmark.
agrees 10 cede 10 the United States i'm
uOns Of this convention the islands OF ST.
Thomas. St John and ST. Croix. in the
West Indies, with the adjacent islands and
rocks. comprising in said cession ali title
and claims of title 10 the territories in and
about said islands over which the crown of
Denmark now exercises asserts. or claims
jurisdiction.
This session conveys 10 the United States
the said islands and appurtenances in full
sovereignty, entire and unencumbered ex-
cept as stipulated In the present convention.
with all the dominion, rights and powers
which Denmark now possesses. exercises
and claims therein; Il having however un-
derstood and agreed that the consummation
of said cession does not import the trans
ference 10 the United States OF the financial
claims now held by Denmark against the
colonial treasures of the islands. IL being
agreed that these claims are altogether ex-
ungulshed in consequence Of the cession.
And ii is moreover understood and agreed
continue TO discharge from the time OF the
cession the obligations heretofore incuDl-
bent upon the Danish government towards
the ST. Thomas Floating Dock Company
and the West India and Panama Telegraph
NO responsibility OF any kind wHafever
is incumbent upon the Danish government.
nor on the United States government. as
TO the guarantee, which cOmformably TO
the ordinance Of June Is. lS76. the colonial
treasury of St. CroiX has assumed with
regard to the payment OF an interest OF
per cent. per annum 10 the holders Of the
shares OF The Saint Croix Fsllessukkerko-
gerier' Company limited.
Article IL
1.-The aforesaid title conveys TO the United
States the absolute fee and ownership Of
all public, government or crown lands. pub
lie buildings, ports, harbors. fortifications.
barracks and all other public property OF
every kind and description belonging TO the
government of Denmark. together with
every right and appurtenance thereunto ap-
pertaining. Ii being however. agreed that
the arms and military stores existing I'm
the islands at the time OF the cesson and
belonging 10 the government Of Denmark
shall remain the property OF the governs
ment and shall, as soon as circumstances
shall permit, be removed by IL. unless they,
parts thereof. may before have been
bought by the government OF the United
States upon a special agreement made with
the government of Denmark; IL being. how
ever, agreed, that flags and colors, uni
forms ana such arms or military objects as
are marked as being the property OF the
Danish government shall not be included
in such purchase.
'It is moreover agreed and understood:
First that the congregations belonging TO
the Danish National Church shall remain
in possession Of the churches which are
now used by them, together with the par
sonages appertaining thereunto; and, sec
ondly, that sums due 10 the Danish treas
ury by individuals are reserved and do not
pass by this cession; and where the Danish
government shall al the time OF the cession
hold property taken over by the Danish
treasury for sums due by individuals. such
property shall not pass by this cession. but
the Danish government shall sell or dis
pose of such property and remove it's pro-
ceeds within two years from the date or
the exchange OF Publications OF this con-
vention. the United States government be-
ing entitled 10 sell by public auction TO the
credit of the Danish government what may
not have been sold before the expiration Of
the said term OF two years
THE Danish government retains the
claims held by them the same as a creditor
against the St Croix FallessukkerkOgierer
Company. limited: should that government
acquire the ownership or property belong
ing 10 this company in the island OF St
Croix the above provision regarding sale
within two years shall apply 10 such prop
erty; the two years. however. TO begin from
the date of the requirement OF ownership
OF said property, which shall be within
three years from the exchange Of the ratifi-
cations Of the present treaty.
Any government archives, papers and
documents relative TO the islands ceded
and the dominion OF the same which may
now be existing there shall pass by this
cession. but an authenticated copy OF such
documents or papers as may be acquired
will be at all times given by the United
States 10 the Danish government or 10
such properly authorized Danish officers
subjects as may apply Tor them.
Article g.
Danish subjects residing I'm said island
may remain therein or remove therefrOm
at will. retaining in either event all their
rights OF property. including the right 10
sell or dispose Of such property or its pro-
ceeds. and I'm case they remain In the
islands they shall continue. until otherwise
provided. 10 enjoy all the private. municipal
rights and liberties secured 10 them by
the laws now in force. II the present laws
are altered the said inhabitants shall not
thereby be placed in less favorable posi-
tion i'm respect 10 the above mentioned
rights and liberties than they now enjoy.
Those who remain in the islands may pre-
serve their allegiance 10 the crown OF Den
mark by making before a court or record
within two years from the date OF the ex-
change Of ratihcatiOns OF this convention n
declaration OF their decision TO preserve
such ale glance In default OF which decla-
ration they shall be held 20 have renounced
II and 10 have accepted allegiance TO the
allegiance shall not after the lapse OF said
term of two years bc a bar 10 their renun-
citation OF their preserved Danish allegiance
and their election OF allegiance 10 tho
United States and admission 20 the nation
ality thereof on the same terms as may
be provided according 20 the laws or the
United states for other Inhabitants of the
islands.
The civil rights and the political statue
Of the inhabitants OF the islands shall b.
determined by the Congress subject 10 the
stipulations contained In the present con-
ventiOn
Danish subjects not residing On the
islands but owning property therein az the
time Of the cessiOn, shall retain their rights
OF property. including the right 20 sell or
dispose OF such property, being placed in
this regard on the same basis as the Dan
ish suhjects residing in the Islands ana
remaining therein or removing therefroua.