The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-07
A DEAL IN ISLANDS
TERMS UPON WHICH WE GET, w1aSru
INDIAN POSSESSIONS OF
DENMARK
THREE SMALL DOTS OF LANu
Uncle Sam Buys No Debts, Nor a Re.
Observation-Disclosures May Be-
come Americans If
They Choose.

WASHINGTON Feb 6.-The text os
the treaty between the United States and
Denmark for the cession of the Danisbt
West Indian islands, st. Thomas. ST.
John and Sainte Croix, which was recent
ly negotiated between Secretary Hay. on
the part of the United States. and Nrin-
lister Brun, for Denmark, was made pubs'
lie today
This cession conveys to the United
States the said islands and appurtenances
IN full sovereignty, entire and unenconl-
bered, 1t being, however, understood and
agreed that the contamination OF said
cession does not import the transference
to tho United States of the financial
claims now held by Denmark against fhe
colonial treasures of the islands N he
ing agreed that these claims are aItos
gether eXtingufshed in consequence ar
the cesSlon. And 1t is moreover Under.
stood and agreed that the United States
VIII assume and continue to DISCHARGE
from the time Of the cession the obliga-
lions heretofore Incumbent upon the Dan
ISM government towards the St Thomas
Floating Dock company and the West
india and Panama Telegraph company.
The title conveys to the United States
the absolute fee and ownership Of ell
public, government or crown lands pub
lie buildings, ports, harboTs, Notifications.
barracks and all other public property OF
every kind and description belonging to
the government Of Denmark, together
with every right and appurtenance there
unto pertaining. It being, however,
agreed that the arms and military stores
existing In the islands at the time Of the
cession and belonging to the government
of Denmark shall remain the property Of
that government
Political Status of Inhabitants.
Danish subjects residing in said islands
may remain therein, or remoye there
from at will; retaining in either event
all their rights Of property including the
right to sell or dispose of such property
or its proceeds; and in case they remain
IN the Islands, they shall continue until
otherwise provided, to enjoy all the pri-
Vate, municipal rights and liberties Sc
cured to them by the laws now in force.
If the present laws are altered the in
habitarts shall not thereby be placed in
less favorable position in respect to the
above mentioned rights and liberties than
they now enjoy. Those who remain in tina
ISLANDS may preserve their allegiance 10
the crown OF Denmark by making, before
court Of record, Within two years OF
the date Of the exchanges of the ratifica-
ton Of this convention, a declaration OF
their decision to preserve such allegiance.
In default of which declaration they shall
be held to have renowned 1t and to have
eASNOPSCO d1AGS td3S0 10 Inc United States,
but such election of Danish allegiance
shall not after the lapse Of said term Of
two years, be a bar to their renunciation
of their preserved Danish allegiance and
their election Of allegiance to the United
States, and admission to the nationality
thereof, on the same terms as may be
provided according to the laws of the
United States for other inhabitants OF
the islands
The civil rights and the political status
of the Inhabitants Of the islands shall be
determined by the congress, subject to
the stipulations contained in the political
convention.
Danish subjects not residing in the ISL
ands, but owning property therein at the
time Of the cession, shall retain their
rights of property.
Formal delivery of the territory and
property ceded shall be made Immediately
after the payIr emit by the United States
OF the sum Of money stipulated, but the
cession, with the right of immediate pos
session, is nevertheless to be deemed COM
plete on the exchange of the Publications
Of this convention, and any Danish troops
which may be in the islands aforesaid
shall be withdrawn as soon thereafter as
may De practicable, but not later than SIX
months after the said exchange
The colonial treasury shall continue to
pay the yearly allowances now given to
ed IN the islands but holding no royal
commissions, unless those allowances
may have until now been paid in Den
mark.
Article SIN full consideration Of the
cession of said islands, in full sovereignty,
entire and unencumbered except as stipu-
lated in the present convention, the Unit
ed states agrees to pay, within ninety
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 ma
Jesty, the king Of Denmark duly au-
thorized to receive the money, the sum
OF $o.OOO,OOO in gold coin Of the United
Article Elm case Of differences OF op,n.
lon arising between the high contracting
parties IN regard to the Interpretation
or application Of, this convention. such
d1nerenceS II they cannot be regulated
through diplomatic negotiations shall he
submitted for arbitration to the nernna
nent court of arbitration at The Hao11a
ATt1cle 1.-The ratifications Of this CON
Ventlon shall be exchanged at Washing
Ton "lthln six months from the date
thereof, after it shall have been ratifieJ
by both the high contracting nartiaS o.
corolng to their respective procedf1re
IN faith whereof the resoecfive nio,,I
potentlaries have signed and sea1ed fbis
anu DalhSh
Done at Washington. the 2Atb 5a-- 80
Jsruary in the year of Our Lord 1Go2 VI
John Hay.