The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-08
Others Insinuate That the Cap
tain is a Preyaricator.
lE1TERFRoM SECRETARY HAY
Ne Gave Christmas Letter of lntroduc
ton TO Special Confidential Agent
of This Goyernmcnt-Under-
stood that the Secretary of
State Viii Later Appear
Before Committee.
lRr Associated Press. )

tBy Associated Prcss.)
WASHINGTON. D. c., April 7.-Sonator
Depew. of New York. appeared to-day
before the special House committee IN
vestigating charges in connection with the
Danish West Indies negotiations. lie eX-
pressed as:onishment al having seen his
name in the Christmas report lie did
not know Christmas and as to this Dan
ish Island question he had never mad
q discussion with any one on the sub
5ec;.
C. ". Knox. Of Glenelge. Nd. whose
name was mentioned in the Christmas
report, told of meeting Christmas. whom
he considered a. cultivated man VINO
had become entsngled with sharpers. The
witness said he consented 10 assist Christ
mas. and a contract was submitted TO the
committee by the terms of which Knox
was 10 assist in any proper manner III
bringing about the transfer. Knox 10 re-
ceve $1,000 in case of a. sale. and s35o
per month. AS 10 a IS transaction which
had been referred TO. KNOX SAID he gave
Christmas his check for S. which was
endorsed by Hanson. and he produced
the check. This was the only financial
fact in the entire affair The witness
eaid he never b,hed any one and moth
ing of the kind was ever contemplated
He never received any money from Christ
mas.
In response TO questions from members
of the committee, Mr.. Knox specifically
denied that he had introduced Christmas
TO X. j. BRYAN. or that he had claimed
to Christmas that he was an Intimate
friend of Senator Hanna.
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.
Senator Bacon. Of Georgia. told Of two
casual conversations With Christmas AS
TO the latters statement that NJ. Bacon
took great interest in the purchase Of the
Danish Islands. the Senator declared it
was absolutely untrue. as he did not be-
lieye in the acquisition of the islands. and
considered it unfortunate that the United
States was in a position where it seemed
necessary TO take them.
Chairman Dalzell presented the follow
ing letter from Secretary Hay on the
subject:
In the early part of December, 1899
Captain Christmas called upon me at this
department. and Informed me that through
private and personal sources in Cepen-
hagen. he had become aware that there
was disposition among some of the lead
Ing memhers Of the Danish Government
TO regard favorably an overture from
the Government of the United States
looking to the acquisition of the Danish
Islands. He said that he had been a
naval officer, and spoke at some lengtl,
in regard 10 the. des!rability of the is
land of ST. John as a naval station 70.
the United States.
GAVE HIM A LETTER.
AT my suggestion. he conveyed The
further technical information he had on
this subject 10 Admiral Bradford. of the
Navy Department Although he pre-
sented no credentials Whatever. and ex-
pressly declared he had no official char
actcrs ! thought his story was of su,li-
Gent interest to he worth investigation
told him I would send confidential
and trusted agent of this Government tc
copenhagen 10 ascertain. nnof1icially. the
true state of affairs and mentioned te
him the name Of Henry White. first sec.
retary of the embassy at London.
Captain Christmas says he woulG
Ike TO he in Copenhagen when Mr.. White
errived. and bring him into communica.
ton with the members OF the Government
whom he had mentioned, l gave hin
note of Introduction to Mr.. White ant
they met IN Copenhagen. where Captair
Christmas had arranged for an Interview
between Mr.. White and member of ths
Danish Government. Mr. Christmas wa.
not present at this interview and his con
neciion with the matter ceased cntirel,
at that time lie afterwards returned
TO Washington ard ! saw him onra n
MI
OF the services of any private person il
any negotiation which nigh, be takeI
up between the two governments in re
gard 10 the acquisition of the islands,
enclose a copy of letter which
gave TO the Danish minister in Washing
ton at the time of the signing OF the re
cent treaty and also a cptS of a lette,
which ] have received from the Danisl
minister. Mr.. Brun. dated the 3lst O
March, 1902.
JOHN HAY
NO OBLIGATION
In 2 letter to Minister Rrun. of Den
mark. enclosed. Mr. Hay refers to tn
signing of the convention of cession an,
adds:
The government of The United state
is in no matter under obligation to goo
offices of private parties III reaching III
agreement now hapr1ily brought abor
between the United States AMI Denmark
and cannot admit for its own part. o
support in any way ans such ciair
against Denmark for comn.!s.i..n. con:
pcnsation or remuneration of whateve
nature which might be made by privat
parties for alleged services in eonnec
uon with the cesson of the is.an.I in cues
ton to the Tnited States.
A letter from Minister Brun states tha
'.Cartain Christmas had no ailtl,nri:alio
whatever TO enter into negotiations in tn
name OF the Danish govelnmet, nor I
make any promises in the name of tn
government nrc6nnection therewitll.'
HAY MAY APPEAR.
Representative Richardson said he though
Mr. Hay should come before the commit
tee and should produce any letters he ha
sr connection with Christmas going I