New-York tribune., 1902-02-08
REPORT ON DANISH ISLANDS.
THEIR STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE EX-
planned BY THE FOREIGN RE
LATIONS COMMITTEE.

Washington. Feb. THE recent favorable report
by the Senate Committee Foreign Relations
of the treaty for the cession OF the Danish West
Indies accompanied by a written statement
made by that committee to the Senate. This re-
port contains a small diagram showing the loca-
ton Of the three islands, and their positions rela
tive to Porto Rico. and gives numerous lntereSIhs
facts about the islands 1t shows that in l9Oo the
islands exported to the United States sugar mo-
lasses and distilled spirits amounting to S0bSS4o'
and In the same period the exports from the United
States amounted to S6245A. The annexation OF the
islands sought by the United states years ago.
and far back 1867 Denmark declined 10 sen
the islands for 100000. but made proposition TO
part with them for a5,0O0O0O. Secretary seward
offered s7.5O00OO. which was declined He a1teF
ward agreed to pay that amount for the lsiahos OIL
st. Thomas and st. John, but the trade fell through
because of complications which arose. AT that
time Denmark insisted that the consent OF the
people of the islands should be formally given oe~
fore the sale should be consummated. and when
the vote was taken there were only twenty-three
out of total of 1900 ballots against the ces-
sion. When the treaty was returned to the Senate
of the United States 1t tied up there for two
years, and ultimately failed OF ratlncallon. Coh-
tinuing the report says:
These islands, together with Porto Rico, are of
great Importance in strategic way, whether the
the natural point of call for all European trade
bound TO the West Indies. Central America or
with Porto Rico form the northeastern corner OF
the Caribbean sea Snd are OF eFsfb where
a canal will be constructed between the Atlantic
Connection with our relations to the region of the
Orinoco and the Amazon and with our control OF
canal and European settlements in South America
G ys6e Poro Rca is deSys e populated It's
roads are poor 1t has long coast ae Tnert neTT
difficult of defence. San Juan is the only harbor
capable of fertilization, and this is only suitable
for vessels of light draught
tinuing the pensions to retired local functonares
1t is said that the total amount required annually
for this purpose will not exceed $1,000
Explanation also is made of the pledges Of this
government TO protect the concessions of the Dan
ish Government to the st. Thomas Floating Dock
Company the West Indian Panama Telegraph
Company and the St Croix Sugar Company, men
toned in the treaty as the Fallessukkerkogierer.
With reference to the floating dock company, it is
said that the effect of the treaty provision is to
SECURE the company in the enjoyment of its fran
chise until 1915, and it is further explained that
Is not @ srye ee r re or
dered by the company TO the government and paid
added that the Department Of State is advised by
the Navy Department that the floating dock is
the use of its facilities will be of practical advan-
With reference to the telegraph company. it IS
said that this is English corporation, and that
5000 year for the next Ave years With the ex-
ception of this subsidy the situation Of the com
graph companies holding concessions in Porto Rico
and Cuba, during the life of the grant
The relationship of Denmark TO the sugar COM
pany is explained to the effect that Denmark
originally made a loan of 144,7& crowns at
stipulated interest to this company The interest
not having been paid, after twenty years the Dan
fish Government took possession of the property
and assumed all obligations growing out Of this
relationship. The object of the closing provision
of Article OF the treaty is to discharge the insuar
treasury and the government OF the United States
from all liability by Of the non-payment
Of the guaranteed interest 1t is understood to be
the purpose of the Danish Government to put itself
in position to wind up the affairs of this company
possible. An explicit assurance is given
that mo responsibility obligation of any kind
rests the government of the United States
the insular treasury IN connection with the st.
Croix Sugar Company"