Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-03

satfon. Hansen indorsed the contract the
expectation being that Evans would act as
consul at Washington. explaining any de-
tails that might arise. Later Mr.. Hansen
said Christmas wrote Richard p Evans a
letter repudiatin all connection with Linn
in which he said:
You Were introduced 10 mo as n former
United States congressman, and as such
entitled to the title of honorable which
always took the pains TO use.
You stated TO me that you were acting
ior the administration and that il was in
compliance with the wishes of President
Mchlnley and Secretary Hay and for the
beneht OF my plans that a certain bin was
introduced IN Congress by Congressman
Idruner looking to the purchase of the
West Indian islands. You told me further
tnat You were one of the leading spirits in
the Associated Press and that as the coun-
Try demanded the islands you would permit
your bureau to express that sentiment on
the basis of all this you succeeded i'm ey-
tortlng from me a contract. not TO speak of
moneys mat your co-conspirators have got
Ten away from me at various times"
MI Hansen said the copy of this letter
which he placed in evidence. was in Cant
Christmas Handwriting
In reply to Mr.. Hit. Hansen said he had
never received anything from Christmas
and had loaned him $500 when he was hard
up which had not been repaid.
How Christmas Was Bled.
There was much laughter and the in
L
Hansen told of Christmas promises to va
rious persons. On one occasion, Mr. Hansen
said, Christmas met c. w Knox in a din
ing room and told him he had some islands
to sell. Mr.. Knox said he knew a man who
knew Senator Hanna. AS a result Christ
mas was to pay Knox S5OO00. In semi
humorous VEIN Mr.. Hansen told of s. being
paid on this promise.
On another occasion Mr.. Hansen related,
nat IN, l.,,,
Walberg. and told him he had some is
lands for sale"
Hansen said Walberg replied that was
Just in his line Later. Hansen said.
christmas let Walberg have small sums
$40 SO and SO. Mr.. Hansen said he did
not know Walberg. and knew nothing of
his connections with an international press
association.
Representative Hit asked IL this was
supposed to be the basis for charges af-
fecting the American press.
Mr. Hansen said it was; that Christmas
only connection with the press was with
this Walberg
Mr.. Hansen also told of a contract with
a Mr.. Rynert by which the latter was to
receive $4,000 for services as counsel He
produced a recent letter from Christmas,
dated March 2, stating that he had Offer
ed to make a public declaration that no
one in Congress was interested in the sale,
and in general repudating the allegations
on which the inquiry is based.
Mr.. Richardson's cross-questions sought
to develop what services were to be per-
formed for the various contracts. The wit
ness explained that it was the service of
explaining and assisting along the trans
fer by every legitimate means, and he
read from the contracts to show that this
was the object.
No Congressman Approached.
He stated with emphasis In reply to Mr..
Hit, that from all his knowledge of the
subject he was positive that no senator
or representative ever had any personal
interest in the negotiation, or was ever
approached, and he made this disclaimer
broad enough to cover every one in and
out of Congress, excepting the specific
cases heretofore cited.
At this point the committee took a re-