Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-10-25

Defeat the Sale, Two Of the Men,
bers, Aged 81 and 81 Respectively,
Being Brought From Their Death
Beds to Record Their Votes-Storm
Of Kisses and Cheers Greets the Re-
suit Of Vote-How It Is Viewed In
Washington--Large Section Of Pop.
uIation Of Islands Disappointed.
Copenhagen, Oct. 23.-The lands
thing yesterday rejected the second
reading Of the bill providing for the
ratification Of the treaty between Den
mark and the United States in regard
to the cession of the Danish West In
dies to the latter country. The vote
stood 81 to 81, Il tie The vote was
taken without any debate. The an
nouncement of the vote caused the
greatest excitement in the house and
demonstrations on the part of the
spectators in the building, where Il e
result was greeted with mingled cheers
and shouts of disapprobation. Crown
Prince Frederick, all the ministers and
many members of the diplomatic corps
and members Of the folketh;ng were
present. The public galleries were
crowded.
The cabinet held a meeting imme-
diately after the rejection of the bill
and the ministers unanimously agreed
that the action of the landsthing did
not necessitate their designations.
The predominant sentiment through
out Denmark is undoubtedly prosale
and the rejection of the treaty is at
tributed chiefly to domestic political
effort to embarrass the government and
bring about the resignation Of the min
istry. The question of the sale of the
islands may not remain dead for any
length of time. The inability Of the
rigsdag to agree OH a policy for bet
tering the conditions of the islands Is
expected to be factor in again fore
ing the sale question to an issue.
The result of yesterdays vote was
doubtful until the last moment. One
member had not taken definite stand
and it was uncertain whether two sick
members would be able to attend. The
ages of these men, Thygeson and Ra-
ben, are 81 and 81 years respectively.
Both had been expected to die for sew
eral weeks past. They were both bed
ridden at their homes, $50 miles from
Copenhagen; but they were brought to
the city. Prominent antisale political
leaders were sent to transport them
here. The sufferers, who were accom-
panied by physicians, were carried in
to a saloon car, which was rolled on
to a ferryboat, on which it crossed
from Jutland. On their arrival 1T
Copenhagen they were met by leading
anti-salers and were driven in car
riages to hotel. There the two old
men We're guarded and nursed over
| night and were eventually carried to
their chairs in the landsthing hall an
hour before the meeting.
Long before the hour fixed for the
meeting of the house the streets out
side the rigsdag building were crowded
with excited seekers for admission.
Thousands were turned away. The
hall and galleries were packed. The
vote was taken amid suppressed eX-
element and the announcement Of the
| result was greeted with a storm Of
cheers and Kisses. The exhibitions of
joy on the part Of the anti-sale men
were almost unboundcd. The disorder
was not suppressed for a considerable
time.
The finance minister intends to send
a commission to the Danish West In
dies to investigate the situation, with
the view of assisting the islands in de-
velOping better economic conditions.
The syndicate which recently prom
ised to help the islands has been re-
quested to submit its plans and prepare
10 carry them out as soon as possible.
Washington, Oct. 23.-The action Of
the landsthing in rejecting the treaty
Of cession causes little surprise here,
for advices from Copenhagen had in
dicated that the fate Of the treaty hung
upon the slenderest thread. The au.
thOrities here are not precisely ad-
vised az to the legislative possibilities
In Denmark; but, even assuming that
yesterdays action Is final for the pres
ent session, they are of the belief that
1t will not be long before Denmark will
tire Of making good deficit in the
revenues of the islerds and let us have
them.
st. Thomas, D. w. l., Oct. 23.-'rhe
rejection by the Danish landsthing Of