Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-01
INVESTIGATION begun
Special Committee Begins Prob.
inf Of the CHARGES Made
Against Congress-.
Neils Gron Tells Of His connec.
tion With the Danish Treaty
Negotiations.
Was Employed BY Danish Parties
Who Opposed Sale OF
Islands.

washington, April 4.-1hVeseie'
Of the charges made in connection with
the Danish West Indies purchase was
begun today before the special commit
tee appointed by Speaker Henderson.
beside the members Of the committee
there were present Niels Gron. who
brought the charges to the attention OF
Representative Richardson and quite
number of interested spectators.
Gron was the frat witness sworn by
Chairman Dalzell. He said in February
last parties in Copenhagen who OPP
posed the transfer of the Danish West
Indies to the United States conferred
with him and brought to his attention
the Christmas report. Chairman Dali
.zell asked who these parties were. Wit
ness said they were members Of the
I Danish upper house, but he did not
think it proper to give their names
Gron said he was at present represent
ative In this country OF these parties
Gron gave way temporarily to Repre-
sentative Alexander. OF Buffalo. who
desired to make q complete disclaim-
er OF any knowledge Of the Christmas
or Danish transactions. Alexander
said he had never seen Christmas. new
er spoken to any one in or out OF con-
gress as to the Danish treaty, never
heard it discussed at any time or place
by any one, until after recent presenta-
ton Of the matter to the house.
Continuing his statement, Gron ex-
planned how the Danish parties OPP
posing the sale Of the islands had per-
suaded him to come to Washington and
place the Christmas report before con-
gress and the public, so that the facts
would be known. He told Of having Sc
cured q note Of Introduction to Cen
eral Grosvenor, Of Ohio, Of arranging
to meet later in Washington. his pur-
pose, being he said. to carry out the
assurances given at Copenhagen that
he would place the matter before infiu-
entail men and thus bring 1t to the
attention OF congress and the public.
Gron told in great detail of bringing
the papers before Grosvenor, who at
first seemed quite indignant, Gron said,
and spoke of laying the matter before
the proper authorities in order that
suitable action might be taken. Wit
ness said later that Grosvenor conclud-
ed 1t would be proper to lay the mat
ter before the secretary Of state.
This was done and Gron said he
learned that the state department
held that 1t could take no action and
authorities he had seen in no way
committed themselves to Christmas.
Gron said after Grosvenor had decided
not to proceed with the matter, he
(Gron) had prepared statement for
the Associated Press and had asked
Mr.. Crane. a newspaper man. to send
some one from the Associated Press
to him for statement and to General
Grosvenor for assurances as to Gron's
standing. He learned later thru Crane
that Grosvenor said he knew nothing
about 1t. He said he informed Dan
after he submitted the statement that
the Associated Press could not use It..
Afterward he said he submitted his
statement to several newspapers and
more or less of it was printed. Wit
ness then detailed how he had placed
the matter before Representatives
Richardson and Underwood who had
gone over the papers. In response to
Inquiries the witness took up various
branches OF the case. He said he rep
resented those constituting the No
Sale" party in Denmark.