The Washington times., 1902-02-09
OPPOSITION TO THE
DANISH ISLAND TREATY
Slight Objection Develops to
Further Expansion.
ANTI : IMPERIALIST ATTITUDE
senator Bacon CaviIs at the Terms of
the Instrument-Objecti to the
Word s.CoIOninP, - Trouble Over
Naming the Islands.

Senator Cullom. chairman of the Conn
mittee on Foreign Relations, is hopeful
that there Will be no serious opposition
to the ratification of the treaty between
the United States and Denmark by the
terms of which the United States is to
come into possession of the Danish West
India Islands for the sum of $4,000. 900
gold in cash. al the next executive ses-
sion OF the Senate Senator Lodge will
press his motion that the Injunction of
secrecy be removed from the treaty, the
text OF which was published in the news
papers yesterday morning. Enquiry de-
velops the fact that strangely enough
there are Senators on both sides of the
chamber who regard with disfavor the
accomplishment of the Administration in
getting possession of these islands which
the United States has sought for many
years to purchase. The criticism is not
severe, and may not be persistent, but
that 1t does exist is surprising to a ma
jority of the Senate. The anti-imperial-
lists, for instance. including Senator Hale,
whose attitude on the Philippine ques-
tion Is that we never should have taken
bound to continue the war and carry out
our policy to the end. think we have gone
about far enough in extending our terri
tory, and that the United States should
stop right where they are
MIR. BncOn's Objections.
Mr.. Bacon of Georgia. too. a member of
the Committee on Foreign Relations. is
inclined to cayil because Congress is
given power to decide what the future
status OF the citizens of the Danish ISL
ands shall be, and also because the treaty
provides that the purchase money shall
be paid into the Colonial treasury" The
anti-imperialists don't like the word
colonial Notwithstanding the fact that
the Danish Islands are colony of Dem
mark, and VIII continue to be until the
trade is consummated and the islands
turned over to the United States. These
criticisms. it is thought, viii have little
or no effect upon the Senate, However.
other than possibly to temporarily delay
the ratification OF the treaty But there is
one question, however. that is giving some
concern to Congress and to the Adminis-
for this new territory of the United States.
great many suggestions have been made.
but the matter has not been formally con-
sidered, and. in fact. it is only just now
beginning to dawn upon those whose duty
1t will be to christen our purchase that
a name must be selected as soon as the
christening takes place. 1t seems to be
the consensus of opinion that name en-
tirely dissociated from the country to
which the islands now belong should be
chosen. and discussions. over .his point
show that it is generally admitted that
a mistake was made when the name New
Mexico was given to one of the Terri
tories Of the United States A name that
meets with much favor is that of the An
titles but high official of the Admins
tration says that all speculation on this
subject is idle, in view of the fact that.
in his opinion, the islands just purchased
will ultimately be attached to the terri
tory OF Porto Rico, and the question OF
name thus settled automatically.
Applicants for Governorship.
1t is an interesting fact that the files
of the State Department already contain
the applications of large number of
American citizens who are anxious to be-
come the Governor of the new Territory.
and to fill the other Federal places that
will become necessary, whether the Terri
tory is to be left by itself or brought
within the political division OF Porto
Rico The applications have come from
a mo
the final ratifcations of the treaty. il
confirmed, as undoubtedly it will be. will
not take place for at least six months. the
President and the Secretary of State have
not yet turned their attention to the mat
ter of appointing the new Federal OFF,
Gals