The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-05
Mr.. HANSEN TESIIFIES
he Was at One Time Attorney For
Christmas.
AIRED HOT LETTER 70 MR.. R p. EVANS
Christmas accuses Him of Fraud in Claiming
10 be Leading Spirit in the Associated
Press. Gron Does Not Make
Bribery Charges,
(By the Associated Press.

Washington, April 9-The investiga-
ton of charges in connection with tho
panlsh west Indies negotiations was re-
snmed today by the House special COM
mittee having it in charge Abner Nc
Kinley, brother of the late President
was the nrst witness. He testified he
had met Capt. 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 talk
whatever of the Danish West Indies.
Mckinley said he had never mentioned
the matter to the President.
Mr.. Mckinley said that prior to the
casual meeting with Christmas, Fischer
Hansen had desired to retain him in this
matter. The witness said he told Mr..
Hansen he could have nothing to do with
it
Mr. Mckinley said he had never had
any conversation with the Seligmans on
this transaction nor with anyone ex-
cept Hansen.
Representative Gardner, of New Jer-
Sey. also disclaimed all knowledge of
Christmas, except of the most casual
character
Mr. Gardner said he had taken some
interest in the acquisition of the DAN
ish West Indies and had introduced a
Dill on the subject. But this was before
Christmas had made a call, and that call
was of the most casual character.
Mr.. Gardner also disclaimed going
over the subject with Mr.. Evans
Mr.. Gardner said he had been a stock
holder in the International Press Asso-
citation, which at one time represented
several New Jersey newspapers.
Col w. C. Brown testified that he met
Christmas only once, that being at the
Manhattan Hotel in New York, and
then no business relations were spoken
OF.
Col. Brown said he had no contract
with Christmas or Hansen or any one in
connection with the Danish matter
Senator Lodge made a statement that
he had always taken an interest 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 Christ
has report said he used.
Fischer Hansen, when called, gave his
bi Siness as an attorney at New York
Christmas told him in 1899 of the move
ment to sell the Danish islands and Den
marks willingness to pay literally in
case of a sale. Christmas desired Han
sen TO act as counsel. Mr. Hansen said
he asked Abner Mckinley if he would
become assistant counsel. Mr.. McKin-
ley replied that he would have nothing
TO do wiki it.
Later Col. Brown, at Hansens request,
asked the President if there We any in
tention of buying the Danish islands and
was referred to Secretary Hay. Later
Col. Brown told Mr.. Hansen that the
United States did not intend to buy the
islands. Mr.. Hansen then accepted
Christmas proposition, telling him,
however. he desired no compensation eX-
cept to be appointed attorney for Den
mark later if the negotiations were sue
cessful. Mr. Hansen then related that
Christmas had told him of coming to
Washington and seeing President Nc
Kinley, Secretary Hay and Admiral
Bradford, and later of going to Copen-
hagen with Mr. White, the United States
Secretary of Embassy at London.
Mr. Hansen also related a street
meeting with one of the Seligmans, who
had said Christmas was progressing well
with the negotiations. The witness said
Christmas had told one of the Selig-
mans that if anything came of the
negotiations they would be the bankers.
Later Mr.. Hansen said, he refused to
stand sponsor for Christmas and he
learned from Col Brown that the Presi-
dent desired no further dealings with
Christmas.
Mr. Hansen told of learning later that
Christmas had been clothed with author
ity by Denmark. Christmas wanted him
to guarantee a contract OF S50,OOO to
Richard P. Evans, this amount to come
out of Christmas expected compensation
Hansen endorsed the contracts, the eX-
pectation being that Evans would act as
counsel at Washington. Later, Mr.. Han
sen said, Christmas wrote Evans the
following letter repudiating all connec-
tion with him
New York, March 23rd.
Richard P. Evans:
Dear Sir: Although it is hardly
necessary for me to add anything to
what | already have said to you in my
conversation last Saturday in the pres
ence of my attorney, c. Fischer Hansen,
nevertheless in view of the fact that
am dealing with a bunch of scamps and
swindlers of which you. seem to be the
ringleader. | feel it my duty to again
emphasize that under no condition will
! have anything whatsoever to do with
you or your gang and l hereby expressly
Tepudiata and cancel any and all agree
ment that l may ever have entered into
with you | shall not dwell upon all the
MANY details of the gigantic fraudulent
schemes to which I have been subject.
Suffice ii for me to mention only few
OF the abominable features of the case
that but for the wide awakeness of my
attorney, c. Fischer Hansen. would have
led me TO everlasting ruin and despair
Thus for example, you were introduced
to mo as former United States Con
gresham and as such entitled to the