The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-11
TESTIFIES
las TO DANISH WEST INDIES
PURCHASE.
he WAS GREATLY SURPRISED


Bacon Never Approved of the Par
chase-secretary Hay Writes the
mittee a Letter on Subject OF
Christmas' Claim for Commissions.
Washington. april a. Scnrtur pepen
OF New York. appeared ipiay bcfure
the special house committee investiSat-
ing charges in connection wi:A n:
Danish West Indies negotiations. He
Expressed astonishment at hav.a. seen
his name in the Christmas renc.t lie
did not know Christmas, and as TO this
Danish island discussion he nai never
had a discussion with any one on the
subject.
c. w. Knox. Of Glenelge. Maryland,
whose name was mentioned in the
Christmas report. told OF meeting
Christmas, whom he considered Il cul-
Itivated man who had become en-
tangled with sharpers. The witness
said he consented 10 assist rhrisrmas.
and a contract was summit al II liz"
committee. by the terms of which ku0x
was to assist III any proper name in
bringing about the transfer. Knox to
receive $4,000 In case OF n sale ard $3.50
per month AS TO n s. transaction
which had been referred to, Knox
said ne gave Christmas his cheek for
SIS which was endorsed by Hansen, and
he produced the check. This vas the
only financial fact in the entir. affair.
The witness said he never br'Iau any
one n nothing of the kind vas ever
contemplated: he never receives any
money from Christmas.
In respons to questions from mem
bers of the committee. Mr.. Knc-. spe-
officially denied that he had introduced
christmas to w j. Bryan. or that he
had claimed to Christmas that he was
an intimate friend of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon, OF Georgia, told of
two usual conversations with Christ
mast. AS to the latter'S Statemar: that
Senator Bacon took great interest," in
the purchase nf the Danish islam * the
senator declared it was absolutely IN
true as he did not believe in th> &C
QUESTION of the islands and consider 4
] ~ luLldkC Ilid lIC =
was in the position where it s:enAd
necessary to take them.
Chairman Dalzell presented the fol-
lowing letter from Secretary Hay on
the subject:
In the early part of December, 1927.
lCaptain Christmas called upon me 1t
this department, and informed me that.
Through private and personal sources
lin Copenhagen. he had become aware
49, -
some Of the leading members of the
danish government to regard favorably
an overture from the government of
the United States looking TO the a.
iQuiSition of the Danish islands. H.
said that he mad been n naval office.
and spoke at some length I'm regard I,
the desirability of the island OF ST.
John as a naval station for the United
States. At my suggestion he I'VE !
the further technical information no
had on this subject to Admiral Brad
ford OF the navy department. ALTHOUGH
he presented no credentials whatev,r
and expressly declared ne had nn Of
lfiial character, | thought his story VIZ
of sufficient interest &c be worth ln-
ve~stigation. | told him / would send "A
confidential and trusted agent OF TINS
government to Copenhagen to ascer-
tain unofficially the true state of al
fairs and mentioned to him the naIi:o
of Henry White, first secretary of eni-
hassy at London. Captain Christmas
said he woul like to be in Copenhagen
when Mr.. White arrived and bring MIN
into communication with the membefa
of the government whom he had men
toned. / gave him a note of intro
lduction to Mr.. White and they met IN
Copenhagen, whs re Captain Christmas
had arranged for an interview between
Mr.. White and a member Of the Darisi.
government. Mr.. Christmas wa not
present st this interview and his con-
nection with the matter ceased entirely
at that time. He afterwards returned
to Washington and 1 saw him once NJ
twice, but told rim that there was m
need of the services OF any private
person in any negotiation which nigh:
be taken up between the two govern
ments in regard to the acquisition Of
the islands. 1 enclose a copy OF n let
ter which I AVE received from the
Danish minister. Mr.. Brun. dated tine
31st of March. 1902.
John HAY"
In a letter to Minister Brun, Of Den
mark. enclosed, Mr.. Hav refers 10 toe
lsigning of the convention of cession
and adds:
THE government of the United
States is in no manner under obIiga-
ton to the good offices of private par
ties in reaching the agreement uo~
Happily brought about between tEe
limited States and Denmark and ram
not admit, for it's own part, or support
in any way such claim against
Denmark for commission. comoensa-
tion or RI ton Of whatever ma
ture which might be made by private
parties for allec ID services in onnec
ton with the C-ssion Of the islands in
question to the United States"
A letter from Minister Brun states
that Captain Christmas had NJ au-
~thorization whatever tn enter int"
negotiations in the name OF the DANISH
government. nn- TO make any PROMISES
in the name of the government in cr'i'-
Injection Herewith.
Representative Richardson said he
thought Mr.. Hay should come before
the committee and should produce anv
letters he had in connection with
CEistmas' going to Copenhagen
Chairman Dalzell stated Ia Secre-