The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-08
BEFORE The HOUSE INVESTIGkT-
ING COMMITTEE.
THE DANISH WEST INDIES
Denies The Charges Made
BY Christmas-He had Declined to
Appear I'm the Matter When APP
and Mr.. Gardner Make Similar
DenfnIs-Hanscn Tells of His Inter-
course With Christmas-Lnwyer
Evans Tells of His Connection
With the Matter.


ton of charges in connection with the
Danish West Indies negotiations was
resumed today by the house special
committee having ii in charge. Abner
Mckinley, brother OF the late presi-
dent, was the first witness. He testi-
fed he had met Captain Christmas
once in the most casual way in the
lobby of the Manhattan hotel. New
York. He never held any conference
with him of any kind or character and
there was no ak whatever of the
Danish West Indies.
Mr.. MCKINLEY said he had never
mentioned the matter to the presiden-.
Mr.. Mckinley said that prior to the
casual meeting with Christmas. Fisch-
er Hansen had desired to retain him
in this matter. The witness said he
told Mr.. Hansen he could have nothing
to do with il. He said he had never
had any conversation with the Selig-
mans on this transaction nor with any
one except Hansen.
Representative Gardner, of New
Hampshire, a,su disciaImed all knowl-
edge of Christmas, except of the most
casual character
Mr.. Gardner said he had taken some
interest in the acquisition of the Dali
ish West Indies and a introduced o
bill on the subject, but this was be-
fore Christmas had made a call n
that call was o. the most casual char
acter. He also disclaimed going over
the subject with a Mr.. Evans.
Mr.. Gardner said he had been 4
stakeholder in the international press
association which at one time repre-
scented several New Jersey newspapers.
Colonel w. c. Brown testified that
he met Christmas only once, that be-
ing at the Manhattan hotel in Ne@
York, n then no business relations
were spoken Of.
Colonel Brown said he had no con-
tract with Christmas OF Hansen or any
n in connection with the Danish
matter.
Senator Lodge made a statement
that he had always taken an interes,
in the acquisition of the islands He
told Christmas. however, that there
was no use of his staying here. The
senator specifically denied language
the Christmas report said he used.
Fischer Hansen. when called, gave
his business as an attorney at New
York. Christmas told him in 1899 of
the movement to sell the Danish ISL
ands and Denmark's willingness to
pay literally in case of a sale. Christ
mas desired Hansen to act as counsel.
Mr.. Hanse sad he asked Abner Nc
Kinley if he would become assistant
counsel. Mr.. Mckinley replied that he
would have nothing to do with it.
Later, Colonel Brown. at Hansen's
request. asked the president if there
was any intention of buying the Dam
ish Islands, and was referred to Sec
rotary Hay. Later, Colonel Brown told
Mr.. Hansen that the United States did
intend to buy the islands.
Mr.. Hansen then accepted Christ
mas proposition, telling him, however,
he desired no compensation except to
be appointed attorney for Denmark
later, If the Negotiations were success
fui. Mr.. Hansen then related what
Christmas had told him of coming to
Washington and meeting President
Mckinley, Secretary Hay and Admiral
Bradford, and, later. of going to Co
penhagen with Mr.. White, the United
States secretary of embassy at Lon
don.
Mr.. Hansen also related a street
meeting with one of the Seligmans
who had said Christmas was progress
ing we'll with the negotiations. The
witness said christmas had told one
ANAA Nilot IL II III CdT1D
of the negotiations they would be the
bankers. Later. Mr.. Hansen said, he
refused to stand sponsor for Christ.
mas, and he learned from Colonel,
Brown that the president desired no
further dealings with Christmas.
MIR. Hansen told of learning later
that Christmas had been clothed with
authority by Denmark. Christmas
wanted him to guarantee a contract o,
Nn1 00l IN Pinhor ri 49,
amour to some out of Christmas ex-
pected compensation. Hansen en-.
dorsed the contract, the expectation
being that Evans would act as counseI
at washington, explaining any details
that might arise. Later, Mr.. Hansen
said. Christmas wrote Evans a letter
repudiating all connection with him
lchar P. Evans, an attorney of
this city. was ext sworn. He said he
first met Christmas through Walbere.
who was described as a music teacher.
newspaper man n translator. Christ
mas desired to employ Evans in this
matter. and Evans made a contract.
which was produced. reciting that 4
contingent fee Of $50, 900 was to be paid
Evans on the successful conclusion OF
the negotiations. The witness said he
never offered an inducement to any
one in congress in this connection.
Asked what he was TO do for the
specified fee, Evans said it was for or
binary services in advancing the inter
ests of the matter. Certainly, he said.
there was no slement of bribery.
Mr.. Richardson inquired as to Wal
berg and the International Press
News Association" The witness said
he was a stockholder in the association
and he thought probable that this was
the press association Christmas claim
ed to have bound.
Niels Gron made a brief supplement-
airy statement, saying his sole mis-
sion was to place the facts before con-
gress and the public, not to make bri-
berry charges.
The committee hen adjourned until
Monday.