The Monticellonian., 1902-04-11
IH[ DANISH N[SI INDIES.
The House Committee Continues Its Investigation of the AL
 legged Scandal.
SENATOR DEPEW NEVER MET CHRISTMAS
Letter to Chairman DaIzeH From Secretary Hay Outlining the Ex- tent of Cupt. ChristmaS' Negotia- tions With the Department Of State.

tions With the Department of
 state.
 Washington, April Senator De pew. of New York. appeared before special house committee investigate ing charges in connection with the Danish West Indies negotiations. Mr. Depew expressed astonishment at having seen his name in the Christi mas report He did not know Christ mas and never had seen him, as far as he was aware, although he met thousands of people and could not sax just who he had seen. But as to this Danish island question, he never had had q discussion with anyone on the subject.
 (. ". Knox. of GleneIg, Nd, whose name was mentioned in the Christmas report, told of meeting Christmas, whom he considered a cultivated man. who had become entaneled with sharpers. The witness said he con scented to assist Christmas, and q con tract was submitted to the comnit- tee by the terms of which Knox was to assist in any proper manner in bringing about the transfer, Knox to receive S1j, 900 in case of q sale and S35o per month. As To the 5 trans action which had been referred to, Knox said he gave Christmas his cheek for S. which was indorsed by Hansen. and he produced the check This was the only financial fact in
 
 the entire a flair. The witness said he never bribed anyone and nothing of the kind was ever contemplated; he never received any money from Christmas.
 In response to questions from mem berS of the committee. NIr Knox spe- officially denied that he had intro dueed Christmas to N l. Bryan. or that he had claimed to Christmas that he was an intimate friend of Mr. Hanna.
 Senator Bacon. of Georgia. told of i've casual conversations with Christi mas. As to the latter's statement that Mir. Bacon took great interest in the purchase of the Danish islands. the senator declared it was absolute lY untrue as he did not believe in the acquisition of the islands, and considered it unfortunate that he United States was in q position where II seemed necessary to take them.
 Chairman DalzelI presented the fol- lowing letter from Secretary Hay on the subject:
 Secretary Hays Letter.
 
 feet committee, etc: have received your letter of tho 31st March and in reply beg leave To say:
 Tn the early part of December 1899 Capt. Christmas called upon me at this department and informed me that through private and personal sources, in Copenhagen he had become aware that there was deposition among some of the leading member of the Danish gov ernment to regard faVorably an overture from the government or the United States looking to the acquisition of the Danish islands. He said that he had been naval officer. and spoke at some length in regard to the desirabiity of the island of St John as naval station for the United States. At my suggestion. he conveyed what further technical infOrma- tion he had on this subject to Admiral Bradford, of the navy department AL though he presented no credentials what ever, and expressly declared that he had no official character l thought his story Was Of sufficient interest to be worth in- Nestigation. l told him 1 would send d confidential and trusted agent of this gov ernment to Copenhagen to ascertain un- officially the true state of affairs and mentioned to him the name of Henry White, first secretary of the embassy at London. Capt. Christmas said he would like to be in Copenhagen when MT. White arrived and bring him into communica- tion with the members of the govern ment whom he had mentioned. l gave him note of introduction to Mir. White, and they met in Copenhagen. where Capt. Christmas had arranged for an inter- view between Mir. White and d member Of the Danish government. MT Christ mas was not present at this interview, and his connection with the matter ceased entirely at that time. He after ward returned to Washington and l saw him once or twice, but told him that there was no need for services of any private person in any negotiation which might be taken up between the two gov ernments in regard to the acquisition of the islands,
 gave to the Danish minister in Washing ton at the time of the signing of the cent treaty, and also q copy of letter which I have received from the Danish minister. Mr. Brun, dated the 3lst of March, l@2 ...,.
 JOHN HAY"
 In letter to Minister Brun. of Denmark. inclo5ed. Mr. Hay refers to the signing of the convention of ces- sion and adds:
 The government of the United States k in no manner under obh- gation to the good oi1ices If private parties in reaching the agreement now happily brought abont between the United States and Denmark. and can not admit for it's o~n part or support in any way sach claim against Denmark for commission. compensation or remuneration of whatever nature which might be made by private parties for alleged services in connection with the ceS- sion of the islands in question to the United States.
 A letter from Minister Brun states that Capt Christmas had no author ization whatever to enter into ncgo- tiations in the name of the Danish government. nor to make any prom ises in the name of the government in connection herewith.
 Mir. Brun also says he gave Capt. Christmas no authority for introduc- tions, but refused his requests in this connection.
 Representative Richardson said he thought Mr. Hay should come before the committee, and should produce