The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-09
POLITICS At
COPENHAGEN
Secret of the Demonstration
Against Danish Island
Sale Treaty.
Basis a Mere Political Ma
neuver and Amounts
to Little.

s.Coponnagon, April 9.-Th6 struggle
over the ratification of the treaty for the
sale of the Dutch West Indies has been
mainly an affair of domestic politics. The
only Industrial interest in the islands af-
fected by the transfer of territory to the
United States Is the sugar planting in
Santa Cruz, and the treaty clearly will be
helpful in securing it preferential treat
ment in the American market. The mer
camille and shipping interests which have
offered resistance to the treaty have been
represented by Peterson and a few other
strenuous opponents and have not been
important.
The real secret Of the demonstration
against the treaty has been in politi-
cal maneuver of the prime minister,
Deutzer, who was supported by an over
whelming majority in the lower house,
but who was blocked by his political OPP
ponents in the upper house. These OPP
ponents could not consistently object to
the treaty, since their own party had be-
gun negotiations for the sale of the
islands, and Deutzer had raised the price
while carrying out the same policy.
They were in desperate straits for a
reasonable pretext for opposition until
Gron and Christmas turned scandal
mongers under Congressman Richard
sons patronage. This silly roorback sup
piled them with an opportunity for pos
ing as moralists and purists and they
We're vigorously supported by Peterson
and the shipping clique. The ministers
were placed on the defense and forced to
prove that their own record was ire
proachable, and that they had not been
associated with commission and broker
age business in negotiating the treaty.
Deutzer scornfully dismissed the charge
that government money has been paid for
bribing Washington legislators and Off
Gals. Danish politicians, however, would
have been less than human if they had
not taken advantage of the scandal.
mongers' melodrama, especially when it
had received an adventurous mounting
from the Washington marplots. Conse-
quently, the debates in the upper house
have been conducted with acerbity and
vehemence, and partizans have made as
much mischief as possible without con-
vincing friend or foe that they We're in
earnest in vindicating the national honor.
Gron AND Christmas are now estimated
at their true value and the negotiations
are generally admitted to be free from
sordid faint and to be based on the mutual
interests of both nations, Denma rk shaw
ing no motive for retaining non-pay-
ing investment, and the United States
having military and naval reasons fol-
completing the defense Of Porto Rico and
securing possession Of two coaling sta
tions on the European lines of approach
TO the interOceanic canal
Ratification After Plebiscite,
Copenhagen, April 9.-The landsthing
or upper house, today concluded it's Sc
! cret debate on the treaty providing fol-
the sale of the Danish West India islands
A report will be presented to parliament
in open session. The majority report
signed by thirty-five members, recon.
| mends the ratification Of the treaty after
a secret vote by electors who are quail
| fed to vote for members of the colonia
| council Of the Danish West Indies. These
! electors are holders of property worth
1000 kroner and upwards.
| The plebiscite heretofore demanded in
volved the entire population, including
| the negroes. Twenty-Five supporters Of
| the government signed the minority re-
port, which is in favor of the ratification
Of the treaty without plebiscite. The in
dependent group of eight members signed
a third report advocating the ratification
of the treaty with a subsequent plebiscite
Iof the entire population
| The landsthing will vote in open session
next week, when the Question will be re.
turned to the fo1kething, or lower house
which has already ratified the treaty with.
out a plebisc1te. A conference committe,
will then be appoint ed and it is though
possible that this will eventually result
in the adoption of the report submitte,
by the eight Independents.