Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-04
DANISH WEST INDIES DEAL
House Committee Continues Investigation
Of Bribery Charges,
WITNESSES DENY CHRISTMAS ASSERTIONS
Abner Mckinley Tells His Brief Con-
nectiOn with Case, a. Also
DO Representative Gardner
and Colonel Brown.

tiop OF charges in connection with the
West Indies negotiations was resumed to-
day by the house special committee having
1t in charge. Among those present when
the hearing began we're Abner Mckinley,
Colonel T. @. Brown. Carl Fischer Hansen
and Representative Gsrdner of New Jersey
Mr.. Mckinley was the first witness. He
gave his residence as New York, his busi-
ness that Of a lawyer, and in response to
Chairman Dalzell's inquiry he said he was
a brother of the late president. Asked as
to whether be knew Captain Christmas. the
witness said he had met him onee in the
most casual way in the lobby OF the Man
haitian hotel, New York. He never held
any conference with him Of any kind or
character. ''.
Was there any talk OF the Danish West
Indies p" asked Mr.. Dalzell.
None whatever. either remotely or 9TH
erwlse," answered the witness.
Mr.. Mckinley went on to say that he had
never mentioned the matter to the presi-
dent. He had no meeting with Christmas
beyond this casual one, when there was
nothing except an exchange Of the courte-
sizes OF the day.
Declined 10 Act for Hansen
Representative Richardson asked the wit
Us - At hhNW WI hansen WI II
ley said he had known Hansen for some
time and prior to the casual meeting with
Christmas Hansen had desired to retain
him in this matter. In reply, the witness
said he told Mr.. Hansen he could have
nothing to do with It. Subsequently. when
he met Christmas he passed the time Of
day and that was the end OF II.
MIR. Richardson asked II Mr.. Mckinley
ever had any talks with the Seligmans on
the subject. Mr.. Mckinley said he had
never any talk with them on the t~ransac-
ton, or with anyone except Hansen, as he
stated.
Interest in Case.
Representative Gardner followed with a
statement disclaiming all knowledge OF
Christmas except of the most casual chsrac-
ter. Someone, he said, had asked permits
sion to present a gentleman and lady at
his (Gardner's) room ~aera was a brief
meeting ami the card left bore the name
Of Christmas. That was the extent OF his
acquaintance with Christmas. Mr.. Gard
ner said ne had taken some interest in
the acquisition Of the Danish West Indies
and had introduced a bill on the subject.
this was before Christmas had made
the casual call.
Mr.. Gardner also disciaimed going over
the subject with a Mr.. Evans, who had been
mentioned in the matter, except In a side
walk conversation, when inquiries were
made as to the prospects Of a sale of the
Danish islands.
Mr.. Richardson asked II Mr.. Gardner
knew Of the International Press associa-
ton.
Mr.. Gardner said he did; he had been
a stakeholder in the concern, which at
one time represented several New Jersey
newspapers. ~: 6
Brown Knew Christnaa.A - ~
Colonel w. @. Brown testified that9hs met
Christmas once at the Manhattan hotel. In
New York. He had no eonversation with
him at that one meeting except the usual
Interchange OF courtesies. He had no bust
ness relations with him; none, was spoken
Of at that meeting, which was the only
one.
To Mr.. Richardson's. questions, Colonel
Brown said he had no contract with Christ
mas or Hansen or anyone in connection
with the Danish matter.
Mr.. Hansen, the next witness, gave his
business as an attorney at New York. He
said Christmas told him in 1899 Of the
movement to sell the Danish islands to the
United States and OF Denmark's willing
ness to pay literally in case Of a sale.
Christmas desired Hansen to act as coun-
sci. Witness called on Abner Mckinley
and asked him II he would become asso-
ciate counsel. Mr.. Mckinley replied that
he (Hansen) ought to know that he Mc-
Kinley) would not be retained on any nego-
tiation in which the government was. con-
cerned. Mr.. Mckinley told him also of
showing a man out OF his ONCE who had
sought to bring up a question Of govern:
ment appointment in connection with legal
business. ssr.
Mckinley steers Entirely clear.
Mr.. Hansen said that he urged thai the
acquisition Of the stands was in line with
this governments policy. but Mr.. Mckinley
would have nothing to do with the mat
ter. Later Hansen said he talked with
Colonel Brown and requested him to ask
the president II there was any intention of
buying the Danish islands. Colonel Brown
made the inquiry. the witness said, and
was referred by the president to Secretary
Hay. When Colonel Brown returned to
New York he told Mr.. Hansen that the
United States did intend TO buy the islands.
Hansen then accepted Christmas PROPOSE
tion, telling him. however, he desired no
compensation except to be appointed at
tOiuSJ iI DNumdIk ldlcI II the uCBOllh-
tions were successful.
Mr.. Hansen then related what Christmas
had told him Of coming to Washington and
meeting President Mckinley, Secretary Hay
and Admiral Bradford and later OF going
to Copenhagen with Mr.. White. the United
States secretary OF the embassy at London.
Mr.. Hansen also related a street meeting
with the Seligmans who had said Christmas
was progressing well with the negotiations
Christmas Expected Big Things.
The witness said Christmas had met one
OF the Seligmans on an ocean steamer and
then had said that II anything came Of tn
negotiations they would be the bankers
Later Mr., Hansen said he refused to stand
sponsor for Christmas. and witness learned
from Colonel Brown that the president de-
sired no further dealings with Christmas.
Mr.. Hansen yielded temporarily TO allow
Senator Lodge to make a statement. Tn
senator said Christmas had spoken to hin
about the Danish transfer. Mr.. Lodge al.
ways had taken an interest in the aequisi.
tion OF the islands. He told Christmas
however, that there was no use staying
here as the Danish minister would attend
to the negotiations. The senator specifically
denied language said to have been used
by him. according to the Christmas report
Resuming his testimony Mr.. Hansen told