The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-18
HOUSE RAIF|ES /
Danish Treaty for West Indies
Is Cinched Tight.
ADVANTAGES BY SCORE
Are Recited by Enthusiastic
Supporters of Measure. i.

Washington. Feb. 17.-Today. in liz
tie more than an hours time. the senate
disposed Of the treaty with Denmark.
oeding to The United States for a con-
sideration OF S5T3.0oo. the islands OF St
Thomas. ST. John and ST. Croix. compos-
ing the group of the Antilles known as
the Danish West Indies. and lying just
east of Porto Rico. and thus. so far as
this country is concerned. contaminated
traction which has been under consid-
Grafton intermittedly since the idminis-
and the report on it were read at length
and more or less discussion OF the propo-
sition was INDUCED in. Senator Cullen.
as chairman OF the committee on foreign
relations, made a speech explaining the
advantages OF the acquisition OF the isl
ands, ana Senator's Bacon and 9fcLaurtR
OF Mississippi made brief remarks. say
ing thatwh.le they could not endorse all
the provisions of the agreement they
would place no obstacles IN the way OF
ratification.
Senator Bacon moved to amend the
treaty by striking out the second para
graph Of article OF the treaty, reading
as follows:
The civil rights and the political status
OF the inhabitants OF the islands shall
be determined by the congress. subject
10 the stipulations contained in the pres
ent convention"
He based his opposition TO this provis-
10,
should extend 10 the islands when they
became a part o. the United States. He
said. however, that the failure 70 &C
cept the amendment would not prevent
his voting FOR the treaty. for he believed
in the Monroe doctrine.
The amendment was rejected without
division.
Senator Cullon explained all TIE pro
visions OF the treaty and gave detailed
account OF the islands resources. OF
their trade value TO the United States
He said the provision affecting the civil
rights OF the inhabitants was similar
20 the provision on the same subject IN
the Spanish treaty concerning Porto
Rico.
Senator Cullom said tina. 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 insuiar treaty would be can
cened. He placed the total OF these
claims at 100000. He also explained
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
saying that on the telegraph franchise
It would be necessary 70 pay subsidy OF
81 900 per year for three or four years
aud that IN both cases there was IN
agreement to protect the charters FOR
the time granted By Denmark. he also
gave a detailed history OF the st. -C-olx
Sugar company, explaining that the gov
eminent OF Denmark had assumed debts
amounting q about 500 90 for that con
Germ. but had agreed 20 wind up the ar
fairs Of the company as soon as posi-
bic. thus relieving the United States OF
all complications on account OF that com
pany.
Senator Cullom explained that under
the terms Of the treaty the United States
would take possession OF the islands as
soon as Publications could be EXCLAIMED.
and said that It would not be necessary
TO delay that act untn the appropriation
Of money 20 pay for them could be made
The harbor at 81. Thomas was de-
scribed as one OF the safest and best
in the West indies and the importance
Of its possession from a strategic was
enlarged upon.
Senator Cullom's motion 70 ratIfy then
was adopted by a viva voce vote.