The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-02
EFIRST SAW GROSVENOR
Through Him the Christmas Reports
Went to Hay.
STATE DEPARTMENT TOOK NO ACTION
II Was Stated The Authorities Here Had MOI
Committed Themselves. Gron SAID
He Knew OF no Congressman
Having Been Bribed.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, April 1.-The investigation
of charges made in connection with the,
Danish West Indies purchase was begun.
today before the special committee ap-.
pointed by Speaker Henderson Neils'
Gron, who brought the charges to the at
quite a number of interested spectators,
also were present.
Mr.. Gron was the first witness He
| said that in February last parties in Co
penhagen 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. Representa-
tive Alexander, of New York. here inter
posed to disclaim all knowledge of Christ
mas or the Danish transaction. Contin-
uing, Mr. Gron told of having secured
note of introduction to General Grosve-
nor, Of Ohio, of arranging to meet the lat
ter in Washington. his purpose being. he
said, to carry out assurances given at
Copenhagen that he would place the mat
ter before influential men and thus bring
it TO the attention Of Congress and the
public. Mr. Gron told in great detail of
bringing the papers before General
| GroSyenor who at first seemed quite in
dignant, but later concluded that it would
be proper to lay the matter before the
Secretary. OF State. This was done and
Mr.. Gron said he learned that the State
Department held that it could take no ac-
tion and that the authorities here had
in no way committed themselves to Christ
mas.
Gron said that after General Grosvenor
had decided not to proceed with the mat
ter he (Gron) had prepared a statement
for the Associated Press and had asked
Mr.. Crane, a newspaper man, to send
someone from the Associated Press to
him for the statement and also to Cen
eral Grosvenor for assurances as to
Gron's standing. He learned later
through Mr.. Crane that General Grosve-
nor said he knew nothing about it. He
said he was informed the day after he
submitted the statement that the Associa-
ted Press could not use it.
Afterward, he said he submitted his
statement to several newspapers and
more or less of it was printed.
He denied reports that the whole mat
ter was a quarrel between Christmas and
himself over a commission for the sale
of the islands and read a letter stating
that an old alliance between certain Dan
ish mer and Americans in the fall of
1897 was declared off eighteen months
ago. He mentioned the names of Fl. II.
Rogers, Charles r. Flint and himself as
the Americans interested at that time in
| negotiating the sale of the islands. Asked
| specifically regarding a statement in the
| Christmas report to the effect that Rogers
/ had agreed to accomplish the sale of the
| islands for ten per cent of the purchase
| money, Mr.. Gron declared that there was
| no such agreement.
| Mr. Gron refused to give the names of
! the parties whom he said he now repre-
Sented in this country but said they were
members of the Danish upper house Mr.
| Gron was closely questioned as to wheth-
er proposition was made for Christmas
| and Rogers and himself to divide the
| commission. He replied that there were
| various propositions. He said he had
never heard Rogers say that he held &c
| votes in the Senate and could defeat the
negotiations and said he was never pres
| ent at an interview between Rogers and
! Christians. He denied absolutely the
statement that he (Gron) had signed
contract with Christmas by which he
! (Gron) and Rogers were to have two
| thirds of the commission. He had never
made any contract of any character with
| Christmas, but the latter had made over
a power Of attorney to him which later
| he (Gron) repudiated. 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.
| Il do not know replied Mr.. Gron.
| Representative Grosvenor made a state
ment at the afternoon session. He spoke
! of receiving the note introducing Mr.
I Gron and of going over the papers with
| him. Al that time Mr. Grosvenor felt
| that the matter should be looked into
with a view of ascertaining if there was
| any irregularity. He conferred with
/ Chairman Cannon. of the Appropriations
| Committee, and asked them if an appro-
rriation bill for the Danish purchase
came in that action on it be deferred until
Mr.. GTosvenor returned from A Western
trip and had an opportunity to go over
the papers. Mr. Grosvenor later saw
| Secretary Hay. who held that there was
nothing in the charges of which cogni-
Zance should be taken.
/ Resuming his testimony, Mr.. Gron re-