The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-04-08


w Depew OF New York appeared to-
day before the special house
committee investigating charges in
connection with the Danish West In
dies negotiations. His statement was
brief. He expressed establishment 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 although he met thousands
Of people and could not say Just who
he had seen But as to this Danish
Islands question, he never had a dis
cussiOn with any one on the subject
G. W. Knox Of Glenelg, Nd. whose
name was mentioned in the Christmas
report told of meeting Christmas.
whom he considered a cultivated man.
who had become entangled with sharp
ers. The witness said he consented to
assist Christmas, and a contract was
submitted to the committee by the
terms of which Knox was TO assist in
any proper manner in bringing about
the transfer, Knox to receive $4,000 in
case Of a sale and $3.50 per month. As
TO a S. transaction which had been re-
ferred to, Knox said he gave Christmas
his check for S. which was endorsed by
Denies Having introduced Him.
This was the only financial transac-
ton in the entire affair. The witness
said he never bribed any one, and moth
ing Of the kind was ever contemplated.
He received no money from Christmas.
In response TO questions from members
Of the committee, Knox specifically de-
MED that he introduced Christmas to
l. IL.
Christmas that he was an intimate
friend of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon of Georgia told Of two
casual conversations with Christmas
As to the latteT's statement that Mr..
Bacon took great interest in the pur-
chase Of the Danish islands, the SEN
atOr declared it was absolutely untrue,
as he did not believe in the acquisition
of the islands. and considered it unfor-
tunate that the United States was in a
position where it seemed necessary to
take them.
Chairman Dalzel presented the fol-
lowing letter from Secretary Hay on
the subject:
ITO Hon. John Dalzell, Chairman Sc
lect Committee. Etc.-I have received
your letter Of the 31st of March. and
in reply, beg leave to say:
In the early part Of December. 1899,
Captain Christmas called upon me at
this department and informed me that,
through private and personal sources
IN Copenhagen he had become aware
that there was a disposition among
some Of the leading members of the
Danish government to regard favorably
an overture from the government Of
the United States looking to the acqui-
sitiOn of the Danish islands
Fay Meets Christmas.
He said that ne had been a naval
officer. and spoke at some length in
regard TO the desirability of the island
Of St. John as naval station for the
United States. At my suggestion he
conveyed what further technical in
formation he had on this subject to Ad-
miral Bradford Of the navy depart
ment. Although he presented no ere
dentials whatever and expressly de-
clared that he had no official character,
l thought his story was of sufficient
interest to be worth investigation.
/ told him I would send a confiden-
tial and trusted agent of this govern
ment TO Copenhagen to ascertain un-
officially the true state of affairs and
sent to him the name Of Henry White.
hrst secretary of the embassy at Lon
would ike TO be in Copenhagen when
Mr. White arrived and bring him into
communication with the members Of
the government, whom he mentioned.
] gave him note of introduction to
Mr.. White and they met in Copenha-
gen, where Captain Christmas had ar
ranged for an interview between Mr.
White and a member Of the Danish
government. Mr.. Christmas was not
present at this interview and his con-
nection with the latter ceased entire
ly at that time
Denies ANY Responsibility.
He afterwards returned TO Washing
ton and 1 saw him once or twice, but
told him that there was no need for
services Of any private person in any
negotiation which might be taken I'D
between the two governments in re-
gard TO the acquisition Of the islands.
1 enclose a copy Of letter which
gave to the Danish minister in Wash
lngton at the time Of the signing of
the recent treaty, and also copy of a
letter which have received from the
Danish minister, Mr.. Brun, dated the
5lst day of March, 1902.
Very sincerely yours.
JOHN HAY"
In a letter 10 Mr.. Brun of Denmark
enclosed, AIr. Hay refers to the signing
Of the convention OF cessi0n and adds.
The government Of the United
states is in no manner under obligation
TO the good Offices OF private parties in
reaching the agreement now happily
brought about between the United
states and Denmark, and cannot admit
for its own part or support in any way
such claims against Denmark for COM
mission, compensation or remuneration
of whatever nature which might be
made by private parties for alleged
services in connection with the cessi0n
OF the islands IN question to the United
States"
Chairman DalzelI Announced that