Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-03

those present when the hearing began We're
Abner Mckinley, Col. w. C. Brown, Carl
Fischer Hansen and Representative Gard
ner of New Jersey.
Abner McKinley's Denial.
Mr.. Mckinley was the first witness.
He gave his residence as New York his
business that of lawyer, and in response
to Chairman Dalzell's inquiry he said he
was brother of the late President. Asked
as to whether he knew Capt. Christmas the
witness said he had met him once in the
most casual way in the lobby of the Man
haitian Hotel, New York. He never held
any conference with him of any kind or
character.
Was there any talk of the Danish West
Indes?" asked Mr.. Dalzell.
None whatever, either remotely or 9TH
erwise," answered the witness.
Mr.. Mckinley went on to say that he
had never mentioned the matter to the
president. He had no meeting with Christ
mas beyond this casual one. when there
was nothing except an exchange of the
courtesies of the day.
Representative Richardson asked the wit
ness If he knew Mr.. Hansen.
Mr.. Mckinley said he had known Hansen
FOR some time. and prior to the casual
meeting with Christmas Hansen had de-
sired to retain him in this matter In re-
ply the witness said he told Mr.. Hansen he
could have nothing to do with it. Subse-
quently when he met Christ mas they passed
the time of day, and that was the end
of it.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr. Mckinley
ever had any talks with the Seligmans on
the subject. Mr.. Mckinley said he had
never had any conversation with them on
this transaction with any one except
Hansen as has been stated.
Mr.. Gardner's Disclaimer.
Representative Gardner foIIoued 1,i+b q
statement disclaiming all knowledge of
Christmas except of the most casual char
acter. Some one. he said. had asked per-
mission to present lady and gentleman
at his tGardner'9 room. There was a brief
meeting and the card left bore the name
OF Christmas. That was the extent of his
acquaintance with Christmas. Mr.. Gard
ner said he had taken some interest in the
acquisition of the Danish West Indies, and
had introduced bill on the subject. But
this was before Christmas had made the
casual call.
Mr.. Gardner also disclaimed going over
the subject with Mr.. Evans. who had
been mentioned in the matter, except in
a sidewalk conversation when inquiries
were made as to the prospects of sale of
the Danish Islands.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr. Gardner
knew of the International Press Association
Mr.. Gardner said he did; he had been
stockholder in the concern, which at one
time represented several New jersey news
papers.
Col. Brown Had No Contract.
Colonel w. c. Brown testified that he
met Christmas once at the Manhattan
Hotel in New York He had no CONVEX
sation with him at that one meeting, ex-
cept the usual interchange of courtesies.
He had no business relations with him;
none was spoken Of at that meeting. which
was the only one.
To Mr.. Richardson's questions, Colonel
Brown said he had no contract with Christ
mas or Hansen, or any one in connection
with the Danish matter.
Hansen Was Christmas Counsel
Mr.. Hansen, the next witness. gave his
business as an attorney at New York. He
detailed his early acquaintance with Christ
mas, who told him in 1899 Of the movement
to sell the Danish Islands to the United
States and Of Denmark's willingness to pay
literally In case OF a SALE Christmas de-
sired Hansen to act as counsel. Mr.. Han
sen said he called on Abner Mckinley and
asked him If he would become associate
counsel. Mr.. Mckinley replied that he
(Hansen) ought to know that he mckinley
would not be retained on any negotiation
in which the government was concerned.
Mr.. Mckinley told him also Of showing a
man out Of his office who had sought to
bring up question Of government appoint
ment in connection with legal business.
Mr. Hansen said he had urged that the ac-
QUESTION of the islands was in line with
this governments policy, but Mr.. Mckinley
would have nothing TO do with the matter.
Later Hansen said he talked with Col.
Brown and requested him to ask the Presi-
dent II there was any intention of buying
the Danish Islands. Col Brown made the
inquiry, the witness said, and was referred
by the President to Secretary Hay. When
Col. Brown returned to New York he told
Mr. Hansen that the United States did in
tend to buy the islands Mr.. Hansen then
accepted Christmas proposition. telling
him, however, he desired no compensation
except to be appointed attorney for Dem
mark later If the negotiations were success
full.
Mr.. Hansen then related what Christmas
had told him Of coming to Washington and
meeting President Mckinley, Secretary
Hay and Admiral Bradford. and later Of
going to Copenhagen with Mr.. White, the
United States secretary Of embassy at Lon
don.
Mr.. Hansen also told Of street meeting
with one OF the Seltgmans. who had said
Christmas was progressing well with the
negotiations. The witness said Christmas
had met one of the Seligmans on an ocean
steamer. and had then said that IL anything
came of the negotiations they would be the
bankers. Later Mr.. Hansen said he re-
he learned from Colonel Brown that the
President desired no further dealings with
Christmas.
Senator Lodges Statement.
Mr.. Hansen yielded temporarily to allow
Senator Lodge to make a statement The
senator said Christmas had spoken to him
about the Danish transfer. Mr.. Lodge had
always taken an interest in the acqufsi-
ton of the islands. He told Christmas,
however, that there was no use of his
staying here, as the Danish minister would
attend to the negotiations The senator
been used by him. according to the Christ
mas report.
Christmas Letter to Evans.
Resuming his testimony, Mr.. Hansen told
Of learning later that Christmas had been
clothed with authority by Denmark. Christ
mas wanted him to guarantee contract of
$4,000 to a Mr.. Evans, this amount to