The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-18
Little More Than nm Hour Spent by
Senators in Considering the
Treaty with Denmark.
IN AMENDMENT REJECTED
PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT
EXPLAINED BY MIR. CULLOM,
Who Pointed Ont the Advantages
which Would Accrue from Pos
session of the Islands.

WASHINGTON Feb. 17.-To-day, in lit
tie more than an hours time, the Sen
ate disposed of the treaty with Denmark.
ceding to the United States, for consid-
Grafton of s5,OoO,OOO, the islands of st.
Thomas. St. John and st. Croix. COM
posing 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, consummated
a transaction which has been under consid-
Grafton internationally since the administra-
ton OF President Lincoln. The treaty and
the report on it were read at length, and
more or less discussion on the proposition
was indulged in. Senator Cullom, chair
man of the committee on foreign relations.
made a speech explaining the advantages
of the acquisition Of the islands. and Sen
ators Bacon and McLaurin, OF Mississippi
made brief remarks. saying that while
they could not indorse all the provisions
of the agreement, they would place no OBJ
stacles in the way of ratification.
Senator Bacon moved to amend the treaty
by striking out the second paragraph of
Article III of the treaty, reading as fol-
lows: "The civil rights and the political
status of the inhabitants of the islands
shall be determined by Congress. subject
TO the stipulations contained in the pres
ent convention" He based his opposition
to this proposition on the general ground
that the Constitution should extend to the
islands when they became a part of the
United States He said, however, that
the failure to accept the amendment would
not prevent his voting for the treaty, for
he believed in the Monroe doctrine. I'm
der that doctrine this country could not
permit any European power TO acquire the
islands. and we could not in fairness take
this position and then ourselves refuse TO
buy them when they were for sale. The
amendment was rejected without division.
Senator Cullom explained all the pro-
visions of the treaty and gave detailed
account of their resources and of their
trade value TO the United States. He said
the provision affecting the civil rights Of
the inhabitants was similar TO the pro-
vision on the same subject in the Spanish
treaty concerning Porto Rico. Senator Cul-
lom said 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 insular treas
total OF these claims at 81. .0oo. 900. He also
explained the nature OF the obligations
the United States would assume with ref
erence TO the st. Thomas Floating Dock
Company and the West India and Panama
Company. saying that on the telegraph
franchise IL would be necessary to pay a
subsidy of $4,000 per year for three or four
years and that In both cases there was
an agreement 10 protect the charters for
the time granted by Denmark He also
gave a detailed history OF the ST. Croix
Sugar Company. explaining that the gov
ernment OF Denmark had assumed debts
amounting 10 about 100000 for that con-
Germ but had agreed to wind up the affairs
OF the company soon practica BILE.
thus relieving the United States OF all COM
plications on account OF that company.
Senator Cullom explained that under the
terms OF the treaty the United States would
take possession Of the islands as soon as
ratifications could be exchanged. and said
IL would not be necessary to delay that
act until the appropriation OF money tC
pay for them could be made. The harbor
at St Thomas island described as
one OF the safest and best in the West
Indies. and the Importance of its posses
sion from a strategic point of view was
enlarged upon. He said that the control
OF that harbor commands the military sit
uation far necessary in Cuba. and
that II We are TO build z canal across the
Isthmus OF Panama the ownership OF the