New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-08
THE CHRISTMAS INQUIRY
SECRETARY HAYS EXPERIENCE WITH
THE DANISH ISLAND BROKER
TIE RPrRFRy ALLEGATIONS STILL FUR
TIER DISCREDITED BY MANY
WITNESSES

Washington April Senator Depew, OF New
York appeared before the House committee WhicH
is investigating the charges of Captain ChrlSlil1S
in connection with the Danish West Indies neso-
+iatfoue He expressed establishment at having
seen his name in the Christmas report He did
not know Christmas. and never had seen hlnl 50
far as he aware. although ne met 'hou7aiius
~ peopIe and could not say just who he nad
seen But as 10 this Danish island question ne
had never had discussion with any one
G W Knox of Glenelge. Md. whose name was
mentioned in the Christmas report told OF meeting
Christmas. He considered him a cultivated man
who had become entangled with sharpers- He con-
scented to assist Christmas. and a contract was
,,hr,i,te5 n the committee by the of which
Knox was TO assist in any proper manner IN orihs-
ing about the transfer. Knox to receive Si'-"" no
case Of a sale and $50 A month As 10 -
transaction which had been referred to- Knox
said he gave Christmas his check for So winch
was indorsed by Carl Fischer-Hansen, ana NJ
produced the check This was the only hntneIaI
fact in the entire affair The witness SAID He
never brfbed any one, and nothing OF the klno
was ever contemplated. He never receiver dry
money from Christmas
IN response to questions from members OF the
committee. Mr.. Knox specifically denied that De
had introduced Christmas 70 W. j, brN4h- %
that ne had said TO Christmas that ne WIS On
intimate friend of Senator Hanna.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, told/o1 TWO casual
conversations with Christmas. As 70 the latter
statement that N1r. Bacon took great interest III
the purchase Of the Danish islands the senator
declared il was absolutely untrue. as he did not
believe in the ACQUISITION % the Islands. and con-
sidered It unfortunate that the United states vas
in A position where II seemed necessary 10 take
them
SECRETARY HAYS LETTER
Chairman DalzeH presented the following letter
from Secretary Hay;
To Hon John DalzeI. chairman Select Commit
bsve received your letter of the 21st OF March.
r,ly- plcI .
In the early part OF December. 1897, Captain
Christmas called upon me at this Department ana
sources in Copenhagen ne had become aware tnae
IleIt va a - ~ -4sb C.9ya--r,Anr 70 regard
favorabiy an overture from the government Of the
Danish Islands He said that he had been a naval
Officer and SPOKE at some ls g. Ioh1 s naval
station for United States AT ny suggestion
h. had on this subject 10 Admiral Bradford. OF
the Navy Department Although ne presented no
nso T nrarasf 10 be worth Investigation.
- - ,.-nITi5 sand confdertiaI and trusted
agent Of this government 70 Copenhagen TO ascer-
toned 10 him the name OF Henry White first sec
rotary OF embassy at London. CaPtaln Lnrs'i Ms
White arrived and bring him into eomrngniSa tGn
NJ s.i1ra+ gave him a note of introduction
70 Mr. White and they met in Copenhagen where
3etwern NJ NJ Cbrs+nas was not present at
,y and his Connection with the matter
C. ertfreiv ar that time He afterward r.
tgFncd b 70 ," bn that there was no need Of the
services Of any private person IN any nesolia.Lon
rents in regard 70 the acquisition Of the Islands
Danish Minister in Washington at the time OF me
signing OF the recent treaty, and also a copy OF
Sincerely yours JOHN HAY.
In a letter 10 Mr. Brun. Of Denmark, inclosed,
Mr. Hay refers the signing Of the treaty Of ces-
sion, and adds.
The government Of the United States Is in no
manner under obligation 10 the good offices OF
private Eartes II TTafndTg me tb i1 r n1
and Denmark and cannot admit for its OWE part
Denmark for commission. compensation
enumeration. of whatever nature; which might pc
connection with the cession OF the Islands in cues
ton 10 the United States
MINISTER BRUN REPUDIATFs CHRISTMAS
4 letter from Minister Brun says that Captain
Christmas had no authorization whatever 10 enter
into negotiations in the name Of the Danish Gov
eminent nor to make any promises IN the name
OF the government in connection Herewith" Mr.
or or in intrndUctio2s bur refused mis- requests
Representative Richardson said he Thought NJ
Hay should before the committee and should
produce letters he had in connection with
Chairman DaIzeIl SAID that secretary nay "tS
ready appear at time his presence was de
from Mr. Richardson's suggestion that. as the Sec
rotary had used this man there should be
sent to him. No arrangement was made as 70 Mr.:
Hays appearance. but II was understood ne would
h. heard later.
Isaac \: seligrnan. Of the firm Of J. : W sel ls
man bankers in \ew-NOrk. told OF christmas ask
ing the firm take charge Of transfers OF morey
~ casa OF a cessfon OF the islands. The firm
10 the private banker at Copenhagen mentioned by
Christmas. and the answer was unsatisfactory.
giving no confirmation of Christmas authority.
After that Mr.. SeligInan said. the firm dismissed
the matter When Mr.. Cousins asked as to Christ
mass statement that the Selgmans had guaran-
feed certain contracts, Mr. Seligman lauShngiy
declared that such statements were made out OF
whole cloth
THE IANDSTHING DELAYS ACTION.
NEW TACTICS OF THE OPPOSITION To THE