The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-04-03

DaizeII - Congressman Alexander
Makes Complete Disclaimer of Any
Knowledge Regarding Alleged Deal
Washington, April 1.-THE investiga'
zion of the charges made in connection
with the Danish West Indies purchase
was begun before the special commit.
tee appointed by Speaker Henderson.
Besides the members of the commit
tee there was present Niels Gron, who
brought the charges to the atteption
of Representative Richardson, and
quite a number of interested specta-
tors.
Mr.. Gron was the first witness sworn
by Chairman Dalzell. The witness
spoke in good English, with a slight
Danish accent. He said that in Feb
ruary last parties in Copenhagen who
opposed the transfer of the Danish
West Indies to the United States con-
ferred with him and brought to his at
tention the Christmas report.
Chairman Dalzell asked who these
parties were. The witness said they
were members of the Danish upper
house, but he did not think it proper to
give their names.
Mr.. Gron said he was at present the
representative in this country of these
parties.
Mr.. Gron gave way temporarily to
Representative Alexander of Buffalo,
who wished to make a complete dis
claimer of any knowledge of Christ
mas or the Danish transaction.
Mr. Alexander said he had never
seen Christmas, had never spoken to
anyone in or out of congress as to the
Danish treaty and had never heard it
discussed at any time or place by any
one until after the recent presentation
of the matter to the house
Gron Continues His Statement.
Continuing his statement Mr.. Gron
explained how the Danish parties op-
posing a sale of the islands had per-
suaded him to come to Washington
and place the Christmas report before
congress and the public, when the
facts would become known. He told
of having secured letter of introduce
ton to Representative Grosvenor of
Ohio, of arranging to meet the latter
in Washington, his purpose being, he
said, to carry out assurances given at
Copenhagen that he would place 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 Gros-
venor, who at first seemed quite in
dignant, Mr.. Gron said, and spoke of
laying the matter before the proper
parties in order that suitable action
might be taken. The witness said that
later General Grosvenor concluded
that it would be proper to lay the mat
ter before the secretary of state. This
was done and Mr.. Gron said he learned
that the state department held that it
could take no action and that the au-
thorities here had in no way commit
ted themselves to Christmas.
Gron said that after Grosvenor had
decided not to proceed with the matter
he (Gron) had prepared a statement
for the Associated Press and had ask
ed Mr.. Crane, a newspaper man, to
send some one from the Associated
Press to him for the statement and
also to General Grosvenor for assur-
ances as to Gron's standing. He learn
ed later through Mr.. Crane that Gen.
eral Grosvenor said he knew nothing
about it. He said he was informed the
day after he submitted the statement
that the Associated Press could not
use it, Afterward, he said, he sub
mitted his statement to certain news
papers and more or less of it was
printed The witness then detailed
how he had placed the matter before
Representative Richardson and I'm
derwood, who had gone over the pa
pers.
His Object in Taking Action.
"What was your purpose in bringing
it before members?" asked Mr.. Dali
zell.
"To get it into the house and before
the American people," answered the
witness.
Mr.. Dalzell referred to the reports
that he (Gron) had himself been try
ing to obtain a commission for the sale
of the islands and that the whole mat.
ter was quarrel between Christmas
and himself over the commission. This
Mr. Gron denied and in support read
letter stating that an old alliance be-
tween certain Danish men and Ameri-
cans in the fall OF 1897 was declared
off Is months ago. He mentioned the
names of HI. Fl. Rogers, Charles r.
Flint and himself as the Americans in
terested at that time in negotiating the
sale of the islands.
Asked specifically regarding state
ment in the Christmas report to the
effect that Rogers had agreed to ac-
complish the sale of the islands for 10
per cent of the purchase money Mr..
Gron declared that there was no such
agreement.
Mr.. Gron was closely questioned as
to whether proposition was made
for Christmas, Rogers and himself to
divide the commission. He replied
that there were various propositions.
Asked as to the threat attributed to
Rogers in the Christmas report in
which Rogers was made to say he had
26 votes in the senate and could de-
feat the negotiations, Mr.. Gron replied
that he was never present at meet
ing between Rogers and Christmas.
Referring to the negotiations which
Cn,ictmas alleged he had had with Alb
ner Mckinley the witness said he had
no connection with them.
Mr.. Hit asked him specifically if he
knew what press associations were re-
farre1 To in the Christmas ranorfS