Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-04-04
THE HEARING BEGINS.
Probe Applied to Danish West In
dies Purchase Scandal.
CHRISTMAS CHARGES ARE TAKEN UP,
Witnesses Testify Before the House
Special Committee-Niels Gron Is
Heard - Synopsis of Proceed
ings in Senate and House.

ings in Senate and House.
Washington, April 2.-The investiga-
ton Of charges made in connection
with the Danish West Indies purchase
was begun Tuesday before the spe-
cial committee appointed by Speaker
Henderson. Beside the members of
the committee, there was present Niels
Gron, who brought the charges to the
attention of Representative Richard
son, and quite number Of interested.
spectators.
Mr. Gron was the first witness sworn
by Chairman Dalzell. The witness
spoke in good English with slight
Danish accent. He said that in Feb
ruary last parties in Copenhagen who
opposed the transfer Of the Danish
West Indies to the United States con-
ferred with him and brought to his
attention the Christmas report.
Chairman Dalzell asked who these
parties were. The witness said they
were members of the Danish upper
house, but he did not think it proper
to give their names. Mr.. Gron said he
was at present the representative in
this country OF these parties.
Tried to Get Grosvenorl Interested.
Continuing his statement, Mr.. Gron
explained how the Danish parties OPP
posing sale of the islands had per-
suaded him to come to Washington and
place the Christmas report before con-
gress and the public, that the facts
would be known. He told of having
secured note Of introduction to Gen.
Grosvenor, Of Ohio, of arranging to
meet the latter in Washington, his pur-
pose being, he said, to carry out as
surances given at Copenhagen that
he would place the matter before In
fuential men, and thus bring it to the
attention of congress and the public.
Mr.. Gron told in great detail of bring
ing the papers before Gen. Grosvenor,
who at first seemed quite indignant,
Mr.. Gron said, and spoke of laying the
matter before the proper parties in or
der that suitable action might be
taken. The witness said that later
Gen. Grosvenor concluded that it
would be proper to lay the matter be-
fore the secretary of state. This was
done, and Mr.. Gron said he learned
that the state department held that it
could take no action and that the au-
thorities here had in no way committed
themselves to Christmas.
Tried the Annotated Press,
Gron said that after Grosvenof had
decided not to proceed with the matter
he (Gron) had prepared statement
for ting press and had asked Mr.. Crane,
newspaper man, TO sepd some one
from the press to him for the state.
ment, and also to Gen. GFosvenor for
assurances as to Gron's standing. He
learned later through Mr.. Crane that
Gen. Grosvenor said he knew nothing
about 1t. he said he was informed the
day after he submitted the statement
that the press could not use 1t. After.
ward, he said, he submitted HIS state
ment to several newspapers and more
or aess ct it was printed.
Secures Richasasep,s Aid.
The witness then detailed how he
had placed the matter before Repre-
sentatiyes Richardson and Under
wood, who had gone oyer the papers.
What was your purpose in bringing
It before members?" asked Mr.. Dalzeli.
ITO get it into the house and before
the American people," answered the
witness.
In response to inquiries the witness
took up various branches of the case.
He said he represented those consti-
tuting the mo Sale" party in Dem
mark.
Clears Abner Mckinley.
AS to the Christmas interviews, in
which Christmas was made to say
that he had negotiations with ABB
ner Mckinley which Christmas in his
report declared had been instigated
by Gron the witness said that he
had no connection with them.
Mr.. Grosyenos Testines.
When the investigation was resumed
after recess Representative Grosyenor
appeared; and made statement4ea p--
corning the subject. He spoke of re-,
ceiving the note introducing Mr.. Groa
and Of going over the papers with him.
At that time Mr.. Grosvenpr felt, that
the matter should be looked into with
view of ascertaining if there was
any irregularity. With that end in
view he conferred with Chairman Cam
non, Of the appropriations committee,
and asked that If All appropriation bill
for the Danish purchase came in that
action on it be deferred until Mr..
Grosyenor returned from western
trip and had an opportunity to go over
the papers. On his return to the city
Mr.. Grosvenor saw Secretary Hay in
relation to the matter. twas the view
OF the secretary Of state that there
was nothing in the ehaTges Of which
cognizance should be taken. ~
Mr.. Gron resumed his testimony. In