The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-07
DEPEW IS SURPRISED
Chauncey Never Dreamed Of Being
Mentioned in Danish Matter.
COMMITTEE GETS MORE EVIDENCE
Letter From Secretary of State Hay
G1pia ming His Relations
With Chr istmns.

Washington, April 7.--Senator DepeW, !
Of New York. appeared to-day before the
house committee Investigating charges in
connection with the Danish West Indies
negotiations, He expressed astonishment
at having seen his name in the Christmas
report. He did not know Christmas and
never had seen him as far as he was
aware. AS 10 this Danish question he
had never had a discussion with any one
On the subject.
G.. ". Knox, Of Glenelg, Md, whose
name was mentioned in the Christmas
report, told of meeting Christmas, whom
he considered cultivated man VINO had
become entangled with sharners. The
witness said he consented to assist
Christmas and a contract was submitted
by the terms of which Knox was to assist
in bringing about the transfer, Knox to
receive $4,000 in case of a sale and $3.50
per month. The witness said he never
bribed anyone and nothing Of the kind
was ever contemplated. He never re-
ceived any money from Christmas. he
specifically denied that he had introduced
Christmas to w. J. Bryan or that he had
told Christmas that he (Knox) was an in
innate friend Of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, told OF Two
casual converse tons with Christmas. AS
TO the latter's statement that Mr. Ba-
con took great interest in the purchase
OF the Danish islands, the senator de-
clared it was untrue, as he did not believe
in the acquisition OF the islands
Secretary Hay Explains.
Chairman Dalzen presented letter re-
reiyed by him from Secretary Hay, say
ing: ,ooo c.4.,,
In the early part Of December, 1889, Captain
Christmas called upon me at this department
and informed me that he had become aware
that there was disposition among some VI
the leading members OF the Danish govern
ment to regard fayoraply an overture from
the government Of the United States LOOKING
to the ACQUISITION of the Danish islands. He
said ne had been naval ofhcer and spoke i'll
regard to the desrability OF the island OF st
John as d naval station for the United STATES
At my suggeSt teton he conveyed what turthel
technical information he had on THIS suD)ec
to Admiral Bradford Of the naval department.
! thought his story was of sufficient interes
to be worth Investigation. | told him | woul'
send q confidential and trusted agent of this
government to Copenhagen to ascertain un
officially the true state Of affairs and men
toned to him the name Of Henry White, mrs
secretary of embassy at London. captain
Christmas said he would like to be in Copen
hagen when Mr. White arrived and bring hin
into communication with officers OF the gov
eminent whom he had mentioned | CAV
Copenhagen, where Mr.. Christmas ha
arranged for an interview between Mr.. whit
and a member of the Danish government. MI
Christmas was not present at the lntervleN
and his connection with the latter ceased Ell
tirely at that time. He afterward returne
to- Washington and / him once or twice
but told him that there no need for tn
services of any private person in any ne
gotations which might be taken up betwee
tbs two governments.
Secretary Hay incloses two Jefferson
written by him to Mr. Brun the Danis
minister, saying the United States ha
no need Of the services Of private partie
in reaching an agreement, and Mr.. Brun'
reply stating that Christmas had no au
thority to represent the Danish govern
ment.
Secretary Hay will probably be Gale
before the committee.
Isaac N. Seligman of j. & w. Seligma1
bankers, at New York, told of Christina
asking the firm to take charge OF none
transfers in case of cession of tn
islands The firm wrote to privat
banker at Copenhagen mentioned b
Christmas and the answer was unsatis
factory, giving no confirmation Of Chris
mas authority. After that Mr.. Seligma
said, the firm dismissed the matter. TT
committee adjourned on call Of the chai1
man.