The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-08
OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
VALUE OF DANISH VEST INDIES
 TO UNITED STATES.

Only of Commercial but of Military
 Importance-An Outpost Guard to Any i Isthmian Canal.
 Washington, Feb. 1.-The recent fa- vorable report by the senate committee on foreign relations of the treaty for the cession of the islands of the Danish West Indies was accompanied by a written statement made by that com- mittee to the senate. This report con- tains a small diagram showing the To- , cation of the three islands and the po- l sitions relative to Porto Rico, and gives ! numerous interesting facts relative to l the islands. It shows that during the year 1900 the islands exported to the United States sugar, molasses ana dls- titled spirits amounting to $56S945, ana that during the same period the export ations from the United States amount ed to $624524. The annexation Of the islands was sought by the United States years ago, and as far back as 1867 Den mark declined to sell the islands for S5,- 100000, but made proposition to part with them for $15,OOO00O. Secretary Seward offered $75OO,OOO, which was de- clined. He afterwards agreed to pay that amount for the islands ot St. Thomas and St. John, but the trade fell through because of complications | which arose.
 At that time Denmark insisted that 1 the consent of the people of the lslands should be formally given before the sale sho,lId be consummated, and when the vote was taken there were only twenty three out of a total of over 1,200 ballots against the cession.
 | When the treaty was returned to the senate of the United States it was tlea up there for two years and ultlmately failed of ratification.
 Continuing, the report says: These | islands. together with Porto Rico, are of great importance in strategic way whether the strategy be military or commercial. St Thomas is the natural noint of call for all European trade bound to the West lndies' Cehtrai Amarica or northern South America. These islands, together With Porto flco' form the northeastern corner or the ! Caribbean Sea and are Of great hnpof- tance in connection with the American isthn1us where canal will be construct cd from the Atlantic to the Paclhc- They are of first importance in connec- tion with our relations to regions or the Orinoeo and the Amazon, and with our 4 control of the windward passage III i view of the isthrnian canal and Euro mean settlements in South America every additional acquisition by the Tinted States is of value. Porto RICO is densely populated. Its roads are poor. It has a long coast line, without norts for large vessels. It is conse- ouently very difficult of defense. san Juan is the only harbor capable Of for- tifications and this is only suitable TOT vessels of light draft
 Explaining the provisions in the trea- tv for continuing the pensions to retir- ed local functionaries, it is stated that the total amount required annually for this purpose will not exceed $20,000.
 The explanation is also made of the pledges of this government to protect inc concessions of the Danish govern ment to the St. Thomas Floating DOCK company, the West Indian Panama Telegraph company and the St. CrolX Sugar company, mentioned in the trea- tv AS the "Fallessukkerkoger With reference to the Floating Dock compa- nv it is stated that the effect ot the treaty provision is to secure the conl- many in the enjoyment of it's franchise until 1918, and it is further explained that "the company is not subsidized by inc Danish or the insular treasury, but that services are rendered by the com many to the government and paid for according to the approved scheme"
 The exclamation is added that the de- partment of state is advised by the navy department that the f1oa ting dock is equipped to perform all required ser vices. and that the use of it's facilities will be of practical advantage to the navy.
 With reference to the telegraph com many if is stated that it is an English cornoration and that the obligation to if is the nature of subsidy of $4 GOO ner wear for the next five years. With the execution of this subsidy the situa- lion of the company in the islands is inc same as that of the telegraph com- panies holding concess ons in Porto Rico ana CuDd liiV iiLS pL 'iN grant.
 F,xplanaton is made of the relation shin of Denmark to the sugar company to the effect that Denmark originally made a loan of 1.414,7S4 crowns at a stipulated interest to this company. The interest not having been paid after twenty years the Danish government took possession of the property and as- stunned all obl 'gatons growing out of this relationship.
 The object of the closing provision of article one of the treaty is to discharge the insular treasury and the govern- ment of the United States from all lia- bilities by reason of the non-payment of the guaranteed interest. It is under stood to be the purpose of the Danish government to put itself in position to wind up the affairs of this company as soon as possible. An explicit assurance is given that mo responsibility or obli- ga ton of any kind rests on the govern ment of the United States'o on the in- sular treasury in connection with the , St Croix Sugar company.
 Fn,al Fire in Horton, Kan.