Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-04-08
Hay TELLS HIS STORY
Sends Letter to Committee to Investi-
gate Sale of Danish West Indies
Islands.
Tells of Dealings with Christmas, and
Latter's Statements to the
Secretary.
Was Given a Letter of Introduction by
the Secretary to American Embassy
in London.

DAY D0TOre the special mouse commit
tee Investigating charges in connec
tion with the Danish West Indies nego.
tiations. His statement was brief. He
expressed astonishment at having seen
his name in the Christmas report. He
did not know Christmas and never had
seen him as far as he was aware
although he met thousands of people
and could not just say who he had
seen. But as to this Danish island
question he had never had discussion
with anyone on the subject.
J. G. w. Knox of Glenelg, Md, whose
name was mentioned in the Christmas
report, told Of meeting Christmas.
whom he considered a cultivated man
who had become entangled with sharp.
ers. The witness said he had consent.
ed to assist Christmas and a contract
was submitted to the committee by
the terms of which Knox vas to assist
in any proper manner in bringing
about the transfer, Knox to receive
$4,000 in case of sale and $3.50 per-
month. AS to a SIS transaction which
had been referred to Knox said he
gave Christmas his check for SIS which
was endorsed by Hansen and he pro-
duced the check. This was the only
financial transaction in the affair. The
witness said he never bribed, anyone
and nothing of the kind was ever con-
templated. He never received any
money from Christmas. In response
to questions from members of the COM
mittee Mr. Knox specifically denied
that he had introduced Christmas to
w. J. Bryan or that he had claimed
to Christmas that he was an intimate
friend of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon of Georgia told of
two casual conversations with Christ
mas. AS to the latters statement that
Mr.. Bacon took great interest in the
purchase OF the Danish islands, the
senator declared it was absolutely un-
true as he did not believe in the ac-
QUESTION OF the islands and considered
it unfortunate that the United States
was in position where it seemed nee
essary to take them.
Letter From Secretary Hay. e"s
Chairman Dalzell presented the fol.
lowing letter from Secretary Hay on
the subject:
Il have received your letter of March
81 and in reply beg leave to say:
In the early part of December, 1899,
Captain Christmas called upon me at
this department and informed me that
throughs private and personal sources
in Copenhagen he had become aware
that there was disposition among
some of the leading members of the
Danish government to regard favora
bly, Overtures from the government of
the United States looking to the acqui-
sition of the Danish islands, He said
he had been naval officer and spoke
at some length in regard to the de-
STABILITY of the Island of ST. John as
a naval station of the United States
At my suggestion he conveyed what
further technical information he had
on this subject to Admiral Bradford of
the naval department. Although he
presented no credentials whatever and
positively declared he had no official
character l thought his story was of
sufficient Importance to be worth in
vestigation. told him would send
a confidential and trusted agent of
his government to Copenhagen to as.
certain unofficially the true state of af.
fairs and mentioned to him the name
of Henry White, first secretary of EN-.
bassy at, London. Captain Christmas
said he would like to be in Copenhagen
when Mr.. White arrived and bring him
into communication with the members
OF the government whom he had men.
toned. I gave him note of introduc.
tion to Mr.. White and they went to
Copenhagen where Captain Christmas
arranged for an interview between Mr.
White and a member of the Danish
government. Mr.. Christmas was not
present at the interview and his con.
nection with the matter ceased entire.
ly at that time. He afterward return:
ed to Washington and saw him once
or twice, but told him that there was
no need for services of any private
person in any negotiation which might
be taken up between the two govern.
ments in regard to the acquisition OF
the islands. enclose copy of let
ter which gave to the Danish minis.
ter in Washington at the time of the
signing of the recent treaty and also
a copy. of a letter which | have re
ceived from the Danish minister Mr.
Brun, dated the S1st of March, 1902"
# No One, Entitled to Commission.
In letter TO Minister Brun OF Den.
mark, enclosed, Mr.. Hay refers to the
signing of the convention OF cessiou
and adds:
The government of the United
States is in no way under obligation
to the good Offices of private persons
in reaching the agreement now so hap
PLY brought about between the United
States and Denmark and cannot ad
init for its own part any such claim on
the part of Denmark for commission
Gomoensation or any remuneration