Evening star., 1902-01-24
CESSION OF ISLANDS
Treaty for Sale of Danish West Indies
Signed.
PRICE In NEIGHBORHOODOF 1000, 900
Officials Count on Approval by
the Senate.
DETAILS NOT MADE PUBLIC

The treaty by which Denmark cedes to
the United States her possessions in the
West Indies was signed at the State De-
.partment this morning by Secretary Hay
and Constantin Brun, the Danish minister.
The treaty will be transmitted to the Sen
ate Immediately for it's approval.
Following the invariable rule in such
cases. the State Department officials de-
cline to make public any of the details of
the treaty, so that it is not possible to state
positively the price to be paid by the United
States for the islands, though this is be-
lieved to be in the neighborhood of 81, 0OO =
900. It is also known that Denmark has
abandoned the position she was inclined to
occupy toward the conservation of the po-
itical rights of the inhabitants of the is
lands, and leaves the United States free
hand to deal with them, without pledge of
American citizenship or of free trade privi-
leges- So it is assumed that the status of
the Danish West Indian Islands, politically
and commercially. will be similar to that of
the negotiations the State Department Off
Gals believe that the treaty will receive
the approval of the United States Senate.
Feeling in the Senate.
There is no doubt that the treaty will be
favorably received when it reaches the
Senate and will have an early report from
the committee foreign relations, to
which it will probably be referred. Senator
Cullom, chairman of that committee has
been known as an advocate of the acquis1-
tion of the islands by the United States for
long time, as have other prominent re-
publicans and democrats of the Senate.
Long Period of Negotiations.
Ever since President Grants first admin
istration the executive branch of the United
States government has indulged in inter-
mittent efforts to obtain possession of these
three little Danish islands. Materially they
are of little worth, but strategically they
are of vast Importance. according to all
expert testimony Admiral Porter was one
of the first to perceive the immense ad-
vantage that would be held by the power
that possessed this gateway of the Carr1-
bean sea, especially in view of the pro-
jected plans for an isthmian canal. and mis-
report to the Navy Department, which was
transmitted to Congress, was mastery
presentation of the reasons for annexation
by the United States.
Secretary Seward, then Secretary of
State, negotiated a treaty of cession with
Denmark. The latter country was at that
time loath to part with the islands, and
yielded under persuasion, so that she nat
urally felt deeply hurt that the Senate OF
the United States should reject the treaty.
So it was many years later before negotia-
tionS were resumed, and they have ad-
vanced very slowly with frequent checks
owing In part to the reluctance of the Dan
ish government to cede any Danish terri.
tory and to wide differences of opinion as
to the money value of the islands. At one
time this price was brought down to So, 7OO,-
600, but internal clamor in Denmark and
what is said to be indiscreet handling OF
the subject in the Senate caused with
drawal of that offer.