New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-04
CHRISTMAS'S TALE DENIED.
THE DANISH CAPTAINS ADVENTURES
IN THIS COUNTRY.
..RxER NKrS1,EY. SENATOR LODGE AND
CARL FISCHER-HANSEN ANU
THOSE WHO GIVE EVIDENCE

THOSE WHO GIVE EVIDENCE
washington. April 3-The inrestisauoh % -. a..
k,r,b4rv charges made b. Captain Chrls'hlas ~
-rsc-,o, ,,sfh the sale of the Danish west lnoles
,,ss resumed to-day by the House special colilii
tee Among those present wien inc "e"'- -
san were Abner Mckinley. Colonel w - nio'
carl Fischer Hansen and Representative 0a'onei'
OF Sew-Jersey -, -
Nv mckinley was the first witness. he gave
his home as New-York and his business that OF
n lawyer. in response {" chairman lAi@eit zen.
question he said he was a brother OF 1he ldte
PRECEDENT Asked as 10 whether he knew Captain
christmas he said he met him once in the most
casual way in the lobby Of the Mammalian f1o,ei
IN New-York He never held any conference WIFI
him Of any kind character.
Was there any talk OF the Dahish west i-
asked Mr.. Dazel-
None whatever, either remotely otherwise,
answered the witness
MI Mckinley went I say that he had never
mentioned the matter 10 the President. He had no
meeting with Christmas beyond this casual one.
when there nothing except an exchange OF
the courteses Of the day.
Representative Richardson asked the witness II
he knew Mr.. Fischer-Hansen.
Mr. Mckinley said he had known him for some
time and before the casual meeting with Christ
mas Mr. Fischer-Hansen had desired to retain him
this matter He told Mr. Fischer-Hansen he
could have nothing do with it. Later when he
met Christmas they passed the time Of the day.
and that the end of it
Mr. Richardson asked If the witness ever had any
talks with the Seligmans on the subject Mr.. Nc
Kinley said he had had any conversation
with them this transaction with one e1-
cept Hansen, as has been stated.
CONGRESSMAN GARDENERS DENIAL
Representative Gardner followed with state
ment denying ali knowledge Of Christmas except of
the most casual character. Some one he said had
asked permission present and woman at
his (AJr- Gardner's) room There was brief meet
ing, and the card left bore the OF Christmas.
That the extent of his acquaintance with
Christmas. Mr. Gardner said he had taken some
interest in the acquisition Of the Danish West In
dies, and had introduced bill on the subject but
this was before Christmas made the casual call.
Mr. Gardner also denied discussing the subject
with Mr.. Evans who had been mentioned in the
matter. except in sidewalk conversation, when
inquiries made as to the prospects for the
sale Of the Danish Islands
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr. Gardner knew OF
the International Press Association.
MIR. Gardner said he did; he had been stock
holder in the concern, which time repre-
scented several New-Jersey newspapers
Colonel ". c. Brown testified that he met Christ
mas at the Manhattan Hotel. in NewYork.
He had conversation with him al that meet
ing except the usual interchange of cpurtesies He
had business relations with him, and
spoken Of at that meeting, which the only
In answer 10 Mr.. Richardson's question Colonel
Brown said he had no contract with Christmas
Danish negotiations
Carl, FISCHER HANSENS EVIDENCE.
Mr. Fischer-Hansen. the next witness gave his
business a lawyer in New-York He spoke of
his early acquaintance with Christmas, who told
him in 1893 OF the movement sell the Danish ISL
ands the United States and Of Denmarks will
tugness 10 pay literally in Of sale Christ
mas desired him counsel Witness called
on Abner Mckinley. end asked him if he would be-
come associate counsel Mr.. Mckinley replied that
he ought know that he (Nr Mckinley would
not be retained in any negotiation in which the
government concerned. Mr.. Mckinley also told
him Of showing q out OF his office who hal
sought TO bring up question Of government APP
pointment in connection with legal business Mr..
Fischer-11ansen said he had urged that the acqui-
sition Of the islands in line with this govern
rnent's policy but Mr.. Mckinley would have moth
ing do with it
Later Mr.. Fischer-Ha raid he talked with
Colonel Brown and requested him ask the Pres
ident if there any intention of buying the
Danish islands. Colonel Brown made the inquiry.
the witness said. and referred by the Presi-
dent to Secretary Hay. When Colonel Brown re-
turned TO New-York ne told Mr. Fiscner-Hansen
that the United States did intend to buy the ISL
ands. Mr.. Fischer-Hansen then accepted Christ
mass proposition. telling him. however that he
desired compensation. except 10 he appointed at
torney for Denmark later if the negotiations were
successful. The witness then related what Christ
mas had told him of coming TO Washington, and
meeting President Mckinley, Secretary Hay and
Admiral Bradford and later of going to Copen-
hagen with Mr.. White. the United States Secretary
Of Embassy London He also told of street
meeting with one Of the Seligmans. who had said
Christmas was making good progress with the ne
gotiations. The witness said Christmas had met
OF the SeligInans ocean steamer, and
then ha6 said that if anything came Of the nego-
tiations they would be the bankers. Later the wit
ness said he refused to stand sponsor for Christ
mas and learned from Colonel Brown that the
President desired no further dealings with Christ
SENATOR LODGES STATEMENT.
MIR Fischer Hansen yielded temporarily to allow
Senator Lodge make a statement. The Senator
said that Christmas had spoken to him about the
sale the Danish islands. Mr.. Lodge always
had taken an in the acquisition of these
islands He told Christmas. however. that there
was no use of his staying here. the Danish Min
lister could attend the negotiations Mr.. Lodge
specifically denied language said 10 have been
used by him. according the Christmas report.
Resumng his testimony, Mr.. Fischer Hansen told
n learning later that Christmas had been clothed
with authority by Denmark. Christmas wanted him
10 guarantee a contract Of $4,000 Mr. Evans.
this amount come out Of Christmas's expected
cornpensation. The witness Endorsed the contract.
The expectation being that Evans would act
oounsei at Washington. explaining any details that
might arise
CHRISTMAS REPUDIATES EVANS.
Later Christmas wrote the following letter
Evans repudiating all connection with him:
New-York. March o
Dear Sir: Although il is hardly necessary for me
to add anything 10 what ! already have sald to
You in my conversation last SatuTday in the press
in view OF the fact that am dealing with bunch
the r1ngleader j feel II my duty 10 again eInpha-
that under condition will 7 have anything
Sereby expressly repudiate and cancel any and ali
agreements that ] may ever have entered INTO