New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
DANISH TREATY RATIFIED.
PURCHASE OF WEST INDIAN ISLANDS
APPROVED BY SENATE.
ACTION TAKEN AFTER ONLY ONE HOURS
DISCUSSION.

Washington. Feb. 17.-To-day. in little more
than an hours time, the Senate ratified the
treaty with Denmark ceding to the United
States for S5.O000O0 the islands of St Thomas
ST. John and St Crox, composing the group of
the Antilles known the Danish West Indies
and lying just east Of Porto Rico. and thus SO
far as this country is concerned. consummated
transaction which has been under considera-
ton intermttently since the administration of
President Lincoln
The treaty and the report Il were read At
length and there was some discussion. Senator
Cullom. chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, made a speech explaining the ad-
vantages of the acquisition of the islands and
Senators Bacon and McLaurin. Of Mississippi,
made brief remarks. saying that while they
could not indorse all the provisions Of the agree
ment they would place no obstacles in the way
of ratification.
Senator Bacon moved to amend the treaty by
striking out the second paragraph of Article III,
reading as follows:
The civil rights and the political status of the
Inhabitants Of the islands shall be determined
by the Congress. subject to the stipulatious con
tanned IN the present convention.
He based his opposition 10 this provision on
the general ground that the constitution should
extend to the islands when they became a part
Of the United States. He said, however that
vent his voting for the treaty. for he believed
in the Monroe Doctrine. Under that doctrine
this country could not permit any European
power to acquire the islands, and we could rot
in fairness take this position and then cur
selves refuse to buy them when they are for
sale. The amendment was rejected without di-
vision
SENATOR CULLOM'S EXPLANATION.
Senator CuIlom explained all the provisions
Of the treaty. and gave a detailed account Of
the islands resources and their trade value to
the United States. He said the provision affect
ing the civil rights Of the inha bitants was SINH
lar TO the provision the same subject in the
Spanish treaty concerning Porto Rico.
Senator Cullom said that in taking the islands
the United States would assume no burden Of
debt, as by the terms Of the agreement all
claims held by Denmark against the insular
treasury would be cancelled. He placed the
total Of these claims at S2,OO0OOO. He also ex-
plalned the nature of the obligations the United
States would assume with reference to the St
Thomas Floating Dock Company and the West
India and Panama Company. wing that on the
telegraph franchise it would be necessary TO pay
a subsidy OF $4,000 a year for three or four
years and that in both cases there was
agreement TO protect the charters for the time
granted by Denmark. He also gave a detailed
history Of the st. Croix Sugar Company. eX-
planning that the government of Denmark had
assumed debts amounting to about 10000
for that concern, but had agreed to wind up
the affairs Of the company practical
BILE. thus relieving the United States of all COM
plications on account of that company.
Senator CUllOm explained that under the terms
Of the treaty the United States would take pos
session of the islands as soon ratiications
could he exchanged and said that ii would not
be necessary to delay that act until the apprO-
priation Of money to pay for them could he
made. The harbor at st. Thomas Island
described one Of the safest and best in the
West Indies and the Importance of its posses
sion from strategic point Of view was enlarged
upon He said that the control OF that harbor
commands the military situation so far neces-
sary in Cuba. and that if we are to build a
canal across the Isthmus of Panama the owner
ship Of the harbor by the United States is
sential. it guards the approach TO II.
Senator Cullom's motion to ratfy the treaty
then was adopted by viva voce vote.