The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-02


the matter before influential men. and
thus bring it to the attention Of congress
and the house
Mr.. Gron told in detail Of bringing the
papers before Representative Cirosvenor
VINO at hfst seemed quite indignant. Mr.
'Iroh sa!d, and spoke of laying the matter
before the proper parties in order that
suitable action might be taken The wit
ness said that later Gen Grosvenor CON
Guided that it would be proper to Law the
matter before the secretary of state. This
was done and Mr.. Gron said he learned
that the state department held that il
could take no action, and that the author
tiles here had in no way COMMITTEES
themselves to Christmas.
Groh said that after Grosvenor
had decided not to proceed with
the matter he (Gron) had Dre-
pared a statement for the Associ
ated Press, and had asked Mr.. Crane a
newspaper man, to send SOM. one from
the Associated Press to him for FIJI
statement, and also to Gen. Grosvano.
Tor assurances as to Grons standinp II,
learned later through Mr.. Crane 49,
Gen. GrosvenOr said he knew NOTHING
about It. He said he was Informed line daZ
after he submitted the statement that +b.
Associated Press could not use it. After
ward, ne said, he submitted his state
ment to certain newspapers. and mora
or less of it was printed
Comes to Seek Publicity.
The witness then detailed how ba b.1
placed the matter before Representatives
Richardson and Underwood, who had y-na
over the papers.
what was your purpose in bringing II
before members" asked Mr.. DalzeII
TO get it into the house and before
the American pople," answered the wit
ness.
In response to inquiries the witness took
UP various phases of the case FIe said
he represented those constituting the "ro
sale party in Denmark
Asked specifically regarding a state
ment in the Christmas report to the effect
that Rogers had agreed to accomplish the
sale of the islands for 10 per cent off tina
purchase money Mr.. Gron declared that
there was no such agreement. Hs
described how the negotiations conducted
by the committees in Denmark and in
America had approached almost a suc-
cessful conclusion just before the Spanish
war when they were declared off In Den
mark
Mr. Gron said he undertook To reopen
the negotiations after the war. The com
mlttees in Copenhagen and America had
not peeh dissolved. Christmas came TO
the United States in August 1899
Mr.. Gron was closely questioned al M
whether proposition was made for
christmas, Rogers and himself 10 divide
the commission. He replied that there
were various propositions. Asked as m
Ine threat attributed to Rogers i'm the
christmas report in which Rogers was
made TO say he had twenty-six votes i'm
the senate and could defeat the uagotia-
tons Mr.. Gron replied that he was never
present at meeting between Rogers and
Christmas.
Never Heard Rogers Threatening.
He had never heard Rogers mako s,,cb
threat. He denied positively thu state
ment that he (Gron) had signed "A CON
tract with Christmas by which he lGrom
and Rogers were to have twO-tEirds or
the commission. He had never made any
contract of any character with Christmas
but the latter had made over 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
After the publication of the Christmas
interview in which Christmas was made
to say that he had negotiations with
Abner Mckinley, which Christmas IN His
report declared had been instigated bv
Gron, the witness said ne had no cOnnec-
ton with them
Mr. Hit asked him specifically If he
knew what press associations were re-
ferred to in the Christmas reports
II do not know" replied Mr.. Gron
During the testimony Gron referred TO
reports that he had himself been trying
to obtain a commission for the sale of the
islands and that the whole matter was a
quarrel between Christmas and himself
over the commission. This Mr. Gron de-
MED and in support read a letter stating
that an old alliance between certain Dan
i,,+
was declared off eighteen months ago. He
mentioned the names of II. H. Rogers,
Charles r. Flint and himself as the
Americans interested at that time in ne
gotiating the sale Of the islands.
Abner Mckinley to Testify.
When the investigation was resumed
after recess Representative G1osvenor APP
peared and made a statement concerning
the subject. He spoke Of receiving the
note introducing Mr.. GrOn and going over
the papers with him. AT that time lTr
GrOsVenOr felt that the matter should ia
looked into with a view of ascertaniug
If there was any irregularity. With that
end in view he conferred with Chairman
Cannon OF the appropriations committee,
ana asked that If an appropriation bill
for the Danish purchase came i'll that
action on it be deferred until Mr. Grosve-
nor returned from a Western trip and
had an opportunity to go over the papers.
On his return to the city Mr.. Grosvenor
saw Secretary Hay in relation to the mat
ter. 1t was the view Of the secretary OF
state that there was nothing In the charg-
es Of which cognizance should be taken.
Resumtng his testimony Mr. Gron re-
lated bis connection with the Scandina-
Wan department of the national Repub-
lican committee in 1886 to which he said
Senator Hanna had appointed him. Later.
he said, Senator Hanna gave him a letter
Of recommendation to the two Massa-
chusetts senator's HOar and Lodge and
the latter IL turn joined in G letter rec
ommending GrCn to the president for ap-
pOintment as minister to Siam.
Mr.. GrOn said he was a Republican;
had canvassed for the party in 1892 and it'll
1896 and in 1897 had been a candidate for
the Danish mission. He produced letter
in favor Of his candidacy sirgned by Sen
atOr CullOm, Of Illinois and indOrsed by
the late Senator Davis Of Minnesota.
In reply to specific questions he said he
knew Of no senator or representative who
had been bribed or whom any one had
attempted to bride. At the state depart
ment he had only personally seen Mr..
KassOn.
Mr.. GrOn was then excused.
Chairman Dalzell announced that he
had summoned Abner Mckinley, Mr.
Brown and Fischer Hansen ard that they
would appear THURSDAY.
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