River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-02-13
TREATY IS MADE PUBLIC.
Text of the Agreement for the Ces-
sion CT Danish West Indies
to United States.
TO BE A LAW AFTER RATIFICATION.
Contain Careful Safeguards for the
Protection of the Future of the Is
Innders-Res Permitted to
Continue Allegiance to the King
If They So Desire.

Washington, Feb. THE text of the
treaty for the cession of the Danish
West Indies to the United States has
been made public. It provides that the
islands shall become the property of
this country Immediately upon the eN-
change of notifications of the treaty.
Careful safeguards are thrown about
the safety of the islanders, an especial
provision being that they need not for
swear allegiance to Denmark
The treaty is signed by Secretary OF
State Hay in behalf of the United
States and by Minister Brun on the part
of Denmark 1t says:
The Agreement.
His majesty the king of Denmark agrees
to ceGe to the United States imme diately
upon the exchange of the notifications of
this convention the islands of st. Thomas,
st. John and Saint CroiX in the West In
dies, with the adjacent islands and rocks,
comprising in said cession all title and
claims of title to the territories in and
about said islands over which the crown of
Denmark now exercises, asserts or claims
jurisdiction.
Full Sovereignty.
This cession conveys to the United
in full sovereignty entire and unencum-
bered except as stipulated in the present
convention, with all the dominion, rights
and powers which Denmark now possesses,
exercises, asserts and claims therein; 1t
being, however, understood and agreed
that the contamination of said cession does
not import the transference to the United
States Of the financial claims now held
by Denmark against the colonial treas
uries of the islands.
Retain Rights of Property.
Danish subjects residing in 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
proceeds. In case they remain in the
islands they shall continue, until other
wise provided, to enjoy all the private and
municipal rights and liberties secured to
them by the laws now in force. If the
present laws are altered the said inha bi-
tants shall not thereby be placed in less
favorable position in respect to the above
mentioned rights and liberties than they
now enjoy.
May Reserve Allegiance.
Those who remain IN the Islands may
preserve their allegiance to the crown
of Denmark by making before court or
record within two years from the date
of the exchange of notifications of this
convention a declaration of their decision
to preserve such allegiance, in default of
which declaration they shall be held to
have renowned it and to have accepted
allegiance to the United States. But such
election of Danish allegiance shall not
after the lapse of said term Of two years
be a bar to their Remuneration of their
preserved Danish allegiance and their
election of allegiance to the United States
and admission to the nationality thereof
on the same terms may be provided ac-
cording to the laws Of the United States
for either inhabitants of the islands.
Promise $5,OOO,OOO i'm Gold.
In full consideration of the cession Of
the islands in full sovereignty, entire and
except as stipulated in the
present convention, the United States
agree to pay within 80 days from the date
of the exchange of the notifications Of this
convention in the city of Washington to
the diplomatic representative or other
agent of his majesty the king of Denmark
duly authorized to receive the money the
sum of S., coo, 600 in gold coin of the United
States.
Formal Delivery.
Formal delivery Of the territory and
property shall be made Immediately after
the payment of 81, 100000 by the United
States but the cession with the right of
immediate possession is, nevertheless, TO
be deemed complete on the exchange Of
the notifications of this convention; and
any Danish troops which may be in the
islands aforesaid shall be withdrawn as
soon thereafter as may be practicable, but
not later than six months after the said
exchange.