Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-29
Decides Matter Unworthy Of Serious At
tsntion and Takes No Steps,
AFFAIR is DIscREDITED IN COPENHAGEN
Alleged Bribery Of American Com ,
Gets Little Notice, -
CHRISTMAS AND GRoN REpUDATED
Alleged Commissions by Danish Cow
eminent TO Negotiate Sale of west
Indies by Corrupt Means
FIatIy COntradicted.

NEW YORK, March 2s.-Carl Fischer
Hansen Of this city, who was attorney for
Walter Christmas, the representative OF the
Danish government in the overtures for the
purchase of the Danish West Indies in 1900,
was indignant at the conduct Of his client
shown in his secret report TO the Danish
ministry. lately published.
Ordinarily legal etiquette" said he,
''would prevent my speaking. But this re-
port is so defamatory and outrageous that
feel justified in washing my hands Of the
whole affair"
Mr.. Fischer Hansen described the course
of the Danish representative as it appeared
to him.
Christmas undertook, according TO Mr.
Fischer Hansen, to start the sale OF the
islands for the Horring ministry. As far
back as 1860 the sale had been almost con-
summated, but at the last moment this
government had drawn back. Thus Den
mark could not make overtures or do more
than suggest that overtures would DO ac-
ceptable. This Christmas did. He con-
Quoted Secretary White Of the American
embassy from London to Copenhagen. AT
that point" said Mr.. Fischer Hansen, "his
services ended The negotiations from there
on were carried forward by the American
minister In Denmark and the Danish min
lister at Washington.
Personal Gain the Motive.
1.-THE Horring ministry, going out OF ex.
istence in a few months, was succeeded by
the sehested ministry to which Christmas
made his secret report, setting forth the
alleged obligations he was under to various
Americans.
"This report was evidently made" said
the lawyer, with the belief that it could
never see the light. But its publication
has shown its absurdity. / am quite sure
Christmas never saw the men he mentions
and believe the report was made for the
purpose of personal gain"
Wilber G. Brown, partner OF Abner Nc
Kinley, whose name was mentioned In con-
nection with the Christmas charges, made
public ia congress yesterday, has sent the
following letter to Representative Dalzeli,
chairman of the Investigating committee
Dear Sir: The, papers this morning con-
frcm @ insidious charges alleged by one wal
ter Christmas in connection with the pur-
chase of the Danish West Indies.
Mckinley and myself they are unquali-
hedly maliciously false In every particular
l shall be glad TO appear peiore Snn your
Very respectfully, w. c. BROWN.
WASHINGTON. March 2s-The State de-
partment will take no steps to bring to the
attention of the Danish government the
charges against the integrity OF American
statesmen preferred by Captain Christmas
and yesterday brought to the attention OF
The house OF representatives.
Unworthy of Notice.
The department regards the charges as
unworthy Of its attention by reason OF In
suf1cient evidence and obvious error IL
statements Of alleged facts. The depart
ment is perfectly aware also that the Dan
ish government does not intend to pay on,
cent OF the 100000 claimed by Christmas
as his commission. so that. OF course. non'
OF that money could be used to corrup
American statesmen and newspapers.
COPENHAGEN, March 2s.-The Christ
mas scandal is not discussed here nor tn,
facts in the case published in Copenhagen
although e full account of Congressman
Richardson's statements to congress wal
telegraphed to the semi -oficial new
agency in this city. Denmark. however, hal
heard from both Captain Walter Christmai
and Niels Gron, who has also claimed Il
have acted as a Danish agent In negotiat
ing the sale OF the Danish West Indies
Each claimed a commission, but the gov
ernment has refused to recognize either o
them, declaring that neither was ever con
nected in the negotiations in the slightes
degree. newspaper referred to the con
troyersy during the latter part OF Febru
ary, but 1t did not take Gron or Christina
seriously. Gron started for America sooi
afterwards.