Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-24
DANISH ISLANDS SCANDAL,
AN Investigation That Republicans
Are Anxious to Have
Shut OFF.

REPRESENTATIVE Richardson, the |
democratic leader, sprung "a sensa- !
ton in the house at Washington by
demanding an Investigation into the
alleged scandals affecting the honor
of congressman in connection with
the purchase of the Danish West
Indies. The demand was based on
copy of the secret report OF capt.
Christmas, who figured as go be-
tween in the transaction, and who
claimed from the Danish government
Sulfillment of an alleged agreement
to pay him ten per cent. of the pur-
chase money for his services us brok-
er. In his report to Che DANISH
premier Capt. Christmas claimed
that he had been put to large eN-
pense in buying influence in congress
and the press, and some names were
used in connection with those
Charges, says the Cleveland Plain
Dealer
After the report was made there
was political change at Copenhagen
which gave access to the secret ar
chives. The Christmas report was
in the endeavor to defeat ratification
of the treaty. 1t has already been
ratified by the United States senate,
and when it goes into effect congress
will be called on to pay the purchase
money on which Christmas claims a
commission of ten per cent. That
suggested the sending of copy OF
the discriminating report to Washing
ton, and it found it's way into the
possession of the democratic leader
in the house, who Immediately on
reading it demanded an investigation
into the scandalous charges which
affects the honor of it's members.
For some reason the republican
leaders We're anxious to shut off, or
at least to delay, the proposed in
vestigation. The speaker was COM
PEELED to rule against his party as
sociates on the question of it's being
privileged question. end in spite of
the strenuous efforts of Mr.. Cannon
to prevent immediate passage of the
resolution the house finally decided
to have the investigation proceed
forthwith, and the speaker appointed
a committee.
Mr. Richardson was careful to dis
claim any Endorsement of the
charges made by this man Christ
mas. but for the honor of the house
he wanted an opportunity given
every member to clear himself from
suspicion of connection with the
scandal. 1t is not improbable that
Christmas used names without war;
rant, and that his talk of spending
large sums for the purpose of cor
rupting congress and substituting, the
press was wholly for the purpose OF
A'b1eeding" the Danish government
1T is possible that he was himself
rictimized by sharp lobbyists who
sold him Influence" they did not
possess. That is as likely a solution
of the mystery as any.
There are, however, facts suggest
ing the propriety of searching in
westigatton. 1t was known long ago
chat this man Christmas was circu-
Eating between Copenhagen, the Dan
fish West Indies and Washington.
He was reported as limiting at nego-
fiations for the sale of the islands
and he was said at that time to be
In conference with some of those
whose names are given in his o1iicia
report. Everybody in authority il
both countries disclaimed any con
nection with Christmas or knowledg,
of his mission. 1t was also denied
''from well-informcd sources" tina
negotiations for the purchase of thu
Danieh Wast Indies had been re
resumed.
Then it was suddenly announced
that negotiations had been opened
and an agreement reached on all bu
one point. Shortly after, treaty
for the purchase of the islands at
price of $5,OOO,00O was sent to the
senate. Almost coincidentallv the
mysterious Christmas presented tc
the Danish government his brokerage
claim of 100000, and said he ought
to be paid the full sum because of
his heavy ontlays in the United States
to get the deal through.
Mr.. Christmas may be buffer
or plucl<ed pigeon, and it is prob
able that he is one or the other, bu
he has started a scandal that ca,
only be disposed of by prompt an
thorough investigation. At the sam
time it is hardly to be expected tina
anything of consequence win he dc
veloped by the house inquiry.