Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-02-08
InpsrsGnt ~ cOpnsOsing Link to The
American IsthnuS
NATURAL POINTS FOR tURf AZ TRADE
COST Of Island, is Small in JOnpsf. - ~
Former Offers
DtNMARK once ASKED FIFTEEN MLllsRs
~ the Cession United states Does Not
Assume obligations of the
Larger Sugar Conn
panies.

vorable report by the senate committee on
foreign relations of the treaty for the ces-
sion OF the Islands OF the Danish West
Indies was accompanied by a written state
ment made by the committee tn the senate.
This report contains a small diagram show
ing the location Of the three Islands and
the positions relative to Porto Rico and
gives numerous interesting facts relative to
the island.
IL shows that during the year 1900 the
islands exported to the United States sugar,
moIasses and distilled spirits amounting to
$5s.s54. and that during the same period
the expectations from the United States
amounted to $e24,52l. The annexation Of
the islands was sought by The United
States years ago, but Denmark declined to
sell the islands for s5.ooo.ooo. but asked
s15.00o.000. Secretary Seward offered s7,-
100000. which was declined. He afterward
agreed to pay that amount for the islands
Of st. Thomas and St. John, but the trade
fell through because OF complications which
arose. At that time Denmark insisted that
the consent Of the people In the islands
should be formally given before the sale
should be contaminated and when the vote
was taken there were only 20 out Of total
Of over 1900 ballots against the cesslon.
When the treaty was returned to the SEN
ate OF the United States It was tied up
there for two years and ultimately failed Of
ratification.
Valuable stragetic Points.
Continuing the report says:
These islands. together with Porto Rico,
are Of great Importance In a strategic way.
mercisi. ST. Thomas is the natural point OF
call for all European trade bound to the
South America ThQQa falanda
with Porto Rico form the northeastern
corner Of the Caribbean sea and are Of
American isthmus. y where a canal viii win be be
constructed between the Atlantic and Pa
s asx p 5ss R% Se n 9escn
O. tne Amason q. ss ana Win orr control Of the
In viaw Of the isthmian canal ana Burp-
pean .settiemente In South America every
additional acquisition by the United States
coast line Wt6out ' pofts for large yssssIs Sn
San San qSs hsrSor Ss SsDssis Ss5snc s
fortihcations and this Is only suitable for
vessels Of light draught.
Pensions 20 he Continued.
Explaining the provision In the treaty
Tor continuing the pensions to retired local
functionaries, 1t is stated that the total
amount required annually for this purpose
would not exceed $4,000. Explanation is
also made OF the pledges of this govern
ment to protect the concessions OF the
Danish government to the St. Thomas
Floating Dock company. the West Indian
Panama Telegraph company and the st.
Croix Sugar company. mentioned in the
treaty as the Observation-Disclosures. With
reference to the floating dock company Il
Is stated that the effect OF the treaty pro-
visions to secure the company In the enjoy
ing OF Its franchise until 1916, and 1t is
further explained that the company is not
subsidised BY the Danish or the iusular
treasury, but that services are rendered
BY the company 20 the government and
paid for according to the approved
schedule.
The explanation Is added that the De-
partment OF State is advised by the Navy
department that the floating dock Is
equipped to perform all required services
and that the use OF It's facilities will be oi
practicable use 20 the navy.
Is an English Corporation.
With reference to the telegraph COM
pany It is stated that this is an English
corporation and that the obligation to II Il
In the nature OF a subsidy of 1900 pei
year for the next Ave years. With the ex.
ceptlon Of this subsidy. the situation O
the company In the islands is the same al
that Of the telegraph companies holdlnI
concessions In Porto Rico and Cuba during
the life Of the grant.
Explanation is made. Of the RELATIONSHIP
Of Denmark to the sugar company to tn
effect that Denmark originally made
loan OF l,4i4,7sl crowns at a stipulated IN
tsrest to this company. The interest no
having been paid after twenty years tn
Danish government took possession Of th
property and assumed all obligations grow
Ing out OF this relationship. The object o
the closing provision OF article / Of tn
treaty Ia 10 discharge the insular treasur
and the government of the United State
from all liability BY reason OF the non
payment Of the guaranteed interest. II /
understood TO be the purpose Of the Danis
government 20 put itaelf in position to win
up the affairs OF thie company as soon q
possible. An explicit assurance is give
that mo responsibility or Obligation OF an
Kind rests on the government OF the Unite
States or the insular treasury In connec
tion with the St. Crolx Sugar company"