The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-04
INVESTIGATION OF CHARGES OF
CORRUPT INFLUENCE.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
Begins Inquiry Into Charges Made
by Chrfstmas that Bribery was
Used TO Secure Purchase OF the
Danish West indies by Gov
ernment-Mr- Gron Tcstifes Before
the COmmittee-NOthing Definite or
discriminating shown by. Him.
State Department Notified of the
Charges ut the Time.

ton of charges made in connection with
the Danish West Indies purchase was
begun today before the special commit
tee appointed by Speaker Henderson.
Niels Gron, who brought. h charges
to the attention of Representative
Richardson, and quite a number of in
terested spectators. also were present.
Mr.. Gron was the first witness. He
said in February last parties in Copen-
hagen who opposed the transfer of the
Danish West indies to the United
States conferred with him about the
Christmas report and sent him here to
give the facts to congress and the
people.
Representative Alexander, OF New
York, here ~intcrposed to disclaim ali
knowledge of Christmas or the Danish
transaction.
Continuing, Mr.. Gron told Of having
secured a note Of introduction to Cen
eral G~rosvenor, of Ohio, OF arranging
to meet the latter in Washington. his
purpose being, he said, to carry out as
s%urance given at Copenhagen that he
would place the matter before infiuen-
tial men and thus bring it to the atten-
tion of congress and the public.
Mr.. Gron sold in great detail OF
bringing the papers before General
Grosvenor, VINO at first seemed quite
indignant, but later concluded that it
would be proper to lay the matter be-
fore the secretary of state. This was
done and Mr.. Gfon said he learned that
the state department held that it could
take no action and that the authorities
here had in no way committed them
selves to Christmas.
Gron said that after General Gros-
venor had decided not to proceed with
the matter he (Gron) had prepared Il
statement for the Associated Press
and had asked MIR. Crane, a newspaper
man. to send some one from the ASSo-
ciated Press to him for the statement,
and also to Genera GroSvenor for as
surance as to Gron'S standing. He
learned, later, through Mr.. Crane that
General GroSvenor said he knew moth
ing about it. He said he was informed
the day after ne submitted the state
ment that the Associated Press could
not use it. Afterward, he submitted
his statement TO several newspapers
and more or less of it was printed.
He denied hat the Whole matter was
a quarrel between Christmas and him
self over a commission for the sale Of
the islands and read 8 letter stating
that an old alliance between certain
Danish men and Americans in the fall
of 1897 was declared off eighteen
months 60. He mentioned the names
of H. H. Rogers, Charles r.. Flint and
himself as the Americans interested at
that time in NEGOTIATING the sale of the
stands.
Asked specifically regarding a state
ment in the Christmas report to the eff
feet that Rogers had agreed to accom-
plish the sale % tho island for 10 per
cent. OF the purchase money. Mr.. Gron
declared that there was no such agree
ment.
Mr.. Gron refused to give the names
of the parties whom he said he now
represented in this country. but said
they were members of the Danish up
per house.
Mr.. Gron was closely questioned as
to whether a proposition was made for
Christmas and Rogers and himself to
divide the commission. He replied that
there were various propositions. He
said he never heard Rogers say that he
held twenty-SiX votes in the senate and
could defeat the negotiations, and said
he was never present at an interview
between Rogers and Christmas. He
denied absolutely the statement that
he (Gron) had signed a contract with
Christmas by which he (Gron) and
Rogers were to have two-thirds of the
commission III had never made any
contract with Christmas, but the latter
had made an overt power of attorney
to him which later he (Gron) repudi-
ated. Mr.. Rogers saw Christmas, he
testified, but once. After that Rogers
refused to see Christmas or answer his
letters or kilograms.
Mr.. Hit asked him specifically if he
knew what press associations were re-
ferred To In the Christmas reports.
He said he did not.
Representative Grosvenor made a
statement at the afternoon session.
He spoke Of receiving the note intro
ducing Mr.. Gro and Of going over the
paper with him. At that time Mr..
Grosvenor felt that the matter should
be looked into with a view of ascer-
tanning If there was any I~rregularity.
He conferred with Chairman Cannon.
of the appropriation committee. and
asked that If an appropriation bill for
the Danish purchase came In action
on it be deferred until Mr.. Grosvenor
returned from { western trip and had
an opportunity to go over the papers.
Mr.. Grosvenor, later. saw Secretary
Hay. who held that there wa. nothing
in the charges Of which cognizance
sould be taken.
ReeGming his testimony. Mr.. Gron