Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-03
SCANDAL MADE
To STOP THE
TRADE
REPRESENTATIVE GROIN TESTI-
FIES BRIBERY CHARGE WAS
MANUFACTURED BY THE mo
SALE" DANISH PARTY.

WASHINGTON, April 2-The investiga-
ton OF charges made in connection with
the Danish West Indian purchase was be-
gun yesterday before the special commit
tee appointed by Speaker Henderson.
Mr. Cron was the first witness sworn by
Chairman DaIzeu. He said in February
last. parties IN Copenhagen, who opposed
the transfer OF the Danish West Indies TO
the United States. conferred with him
and brought 10 his attention the Christ
mas report. Mr.. Gron said he was at
present the representative I'm this coun-
try OF these parties who were members
OF the Danish upper house
Mr.. Gron gave way temporarily 70 KEEP
reSentatfve Alexander. OF Buffalo, who
desired to make a complete disclaimer
OF any knowledge OF Christmas or the
Danish transaction.
Continuing his statement. Mr.. Gron ex-
planned how the Danish parties opposing
the sale OF the islands had persuaded him
20 come 20 Washington and place the
Christmas report before congress and the
public. so that the facts would be known
He told OF having secured a note OF intro
duction 70 General Grosvenor. Of Ohio; OF
arranging to meet the latter I'm Washing
ton. his purpose being. he said, 20 carry
out assurances given az Copenhagen that
he would place the matter before infiuen-
tial men and thus bring IL 70 the attention
OF congress and the public
Mr.. Gron told in great detail OF bring
ing the papers before General Grosevnor.
who at first seemed quite indignant, Mr.
Gron said. and spoke OF laying the mat
ter before the proper parties in order
that suitable action might be taken. The
witness said that later Grosvenor con-
ciuded that Il would be proper 10 lay the
matter before the secretary OF state. This
was done and Mr.. Gron said he learned
that the state department held that. Il
could take no action and that the author
titles had IN nowise committed themselves
70 Christmas.
Gron said that after Grosvenor had de-
! cided not 70 proceed with the matter he
(GrOn) had prepared a statement for the
Associated Press and had asked Mr..
Crane. q newspaper man. TO send some
enc from the Associated Press TO him for
q statement and 70 General Grosvenor for
assurances as 10 Gron's standing. He
learned later, through Mr.. Crane, that
Grosvenor said he knew nothing about IT,
He said he was informed today. after
he submitted the statement. that the As
ISOLATED Press could not use il. After
ward. he said. he submitted his statement
10 several newspapers and more or less
OF a was printed.
The witness then detailed how he had
placed the matter before Representative
Richardson and Underwood. who had
gone over the papers.
What was your purpose in bringing Il
before membersT' asked Mr.. DalzelL
TO get Il into the house and before the
American people, answered the witness.
In response to an inquiry the witness
took up various branches OF the case. He
said he represented those constituting the
''No Sale" party IN Denmark
He denied the reports that he CGron)
had himself been trying to obtain a COM
rrrfE hn al ~ -.
that the whole matter was a quarrel be-
tween Christmas and himself over the
commission. and received a letter stat
ing that an old alliance between certain
Danish men and Americans in the fall OF
1887 was declared on eighteen months ago.
Charles R Flint and himself as the Amer
leans interested at that time in negotiat-
ing the sale OF the islands.
Asked specifically regarding a statement
in the Christmas report TO the effect that
Rogers had agreed TO accomplish the sale
Of the islands for 10 per cent Of the pur-
chase money. Mr.. GrOn declared that there
was no such agreement. He described
how the negotiations conducted by the
committees in Denmark and in America
had progressed almost 70 a successful con-
clusion just before the Spanish war. when
they were declared of in Denmark
Mr.. Gron said he undertook TO reopen
the negotiations after the war. The
committees in Copenhagen and America
had not been dissolved. Christmas came
70 the United States in December. 1899.
Mr.. Gron was closely questioned as to
whether a proposition was made for
Christmas and Rogers and himself to d.
vide the commission He replied that
there were various propositions.
Asked as 10 the threat attributed TO
Rogers in the Christmas report Chat
Rogers was made TO say that he had Is
votes in the senate and could defeat the
negotiations) Mr. GrOn said he was never
present at an interview between Rogers
and Christmas. He had never heard Mr..
Rogers make such a threat He denied
absolutely the statement that he CGron)
had signed contract with Christmas by
which he (Gron) and Rogers were TO have
two-thirds OF the commission.
He had never made any contract Of any
character with Christmas. but the latter
had made over a power OF attorney to him
which later he (GrOn) repudiated. Rogers
saw Christmas. he testified, but once. AZ
ter that Rogers refused 20 see Christmas
or answer his letters or kilograms.
As 10 the Christmas interviews, in
which Christmas was made TO say that
he had negotiations with Abner McKin-
ley which Christmas I'm his report declared
had been instigated by Gron. the witness
said that he had no connection with them
1Ir. Hnl asked him specifically IL he knew
In the Christmas report.
II don't know" replied Mr.. Gron.