New-York tribune., 1902-10-23
WILL NOT CEDE ISLANDS
BILL LOST BY TIE VOTE IN
LANDSTHING.
AGED MEN TAKEN FROM SICK BEDS
TO VOTE AGAINST SALE OF
DANISH WEST INDIES.

| Copenhagen, Oct. 22-The Landsthing to-day
rejected the second reading of the bill providing
| lor the ratification of the treaty between Den
mark and the United States in regard to the
cession of the Danish West Indies 10 the latter
country. The vote stood 81 to 81. tie. The an
nouncement caused the greatest excitement in
the House and demonstrations on the part of
the spectators in the building.
In the voting there was one abstention. The
members of the Right and two Independent Con-
servatives opposed the bill. The Left and six
independent Conservatives supported II.
The vote was taken without any debate to-
| day, and the result was greeted with mingled
| cheers and shouts Of disapprobation. Crown
Prince Frederick all the ministers, and many
| members of the diploma tic corps and members
OF the FOlkething were present The public
galleries were crowded
The result of to-days vote doubtful until
the last moment. One member had not taken a
definite stand, and it uncertain whether two
sick members would be able to attend. The ages
Of these men, Thygeson and Raban, ninety
seven and eighty-seven years respectively. Both
had been expected to die for several weeks past,
they were both bedrdden in their homes. $50
miles from Copenhagen. but they were brought
10 the city. Prominent anti-saie political leaders
were sent TO transport them here The suffer
ers, who were accompanied by physicians were
carried into a saloon car which was rolled on
ferrybOat on which il crossed from Jutland
On their arrival at Copenhagen they were met
by leading anti-salers and were driven in car
riageS to a hotel There the two old men we're
guarded and nursed overnight. and were eventu-
ally carried to their chairs in the Landsthing
hall an hour before the meeting. They had
prompter on hand to assist them in voting.
Long before the hour fixed for the meeting OF
the House the streets outside the Rigsdag build
ing crowded with excited seekers for ad
mission. Thousands were turned away The
hall and galleries were packed. The vote
taken amid suppressed excitement. and the an
nouncement Of the result greeted with
storm of cheers and Kisses. The exhibitions Of
Joy on the part of the anti-sale men were almost
unbounded The disorder not suppressed
for a considerable time.
The Cabinet held meeting Immediately after
the rejection of the bill. and the ministers unani-
mously agreed that the action of the Lands
thing did not make necessary their resignation
The Finance Minister intends to send COM
mission 10 the Danish West Indies to investigate
the situation with the view of assisting the
islands in developing better economic conditions
The syndicate which recently promised 10 help
the islands has been requested to submit its
plans and prepare to carry them out as soon
possible.
7 re predominant sentiment throughout Den
is undoubtedly pro-sale. and the rejection
t-eaty-i5 attTtb'ied chtas' 20 domestic
po itieaI effort TO embarrass the government and
bring about the resignation OF the ministry.
The question Of the sale OF the islands may not
remain dead for any length of time. The ina
bility Of the Rigsdag to agree a policy for
lettering the conditions or the islands is ex-
pected to he a factor in again forcing the sale
question to al issue