Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-24
Danish Minister Modified.

Washington, Jan. "A. - Constantine
Brun, the Danish minister in Washing
ton, received official notification yester-
day afternoon from Copenhagen that his
government had agreed to the terms of
the treaty recently negotiated by Secre-
tary Hay and Mr. Brun for the transfer
of the Danish West India islands to the
United States. Mr.. Brun went immedi-
ately to the state department with this
important piece of information, and, as
Secretary Hay had left the department
for the day, he saw Mr.. Hill, the assist
ant secretary Of state, with whom he
had long talk
1t is in.imated that in order to satisfy
the people of Denmark who are opposing
the sale the Danish government would
submit the treaty to a plebiscite of the
Inhabitants of the islands to determine
their sentiments as to the transfer. but
that this would probably not delay the
actual sale, as the plebiscite could be
Iheid while the treaty was under consid-
Grafton by the legislative branch of the
United States government.
The treaty must first be approved by
the senate, and then 1t will be necessary
to secure an appropriation of the pur-
chase price from both the senate and the
house. A treaty does not become a per-
fected agreement until the "ratifica-
tions" have been exchanged, and, as this
does not usually take place until several
months after confirmation by the SEN
ate. Denmark will have ample opportu-
nity to ascertain the sentiments of her
Antillian subjects before the time ar
rives for the final act that would sever
her relations with her West Indian pos
sessions. If the plebiscite should show a
majority of the islands We're opposed to
the transfer, Denmark could end the
matter by declining to exchange the rat
ifications.
The news impaired to the state depart
ment by Mr.. Brun came as great sur
prise to the American authorities, as 1t
was believed by them that the liberal
ministry of Denmark had become fright
eIed over the agitation against the
transfer and would decline to accede to
the treaty which 1t had negotiated thru
its diplomatic representative in Wash
ington. There has been a feeling In the
highest official quarters here that the
Danish Antilles would not become the
property of the United States until there
was change OF ministry at Copen-
hagen.
The negotiation of the treaty was
completed more than month ago. and
copies We're mailed to the foreign office
in Copenhagen. Until yesterday moth
Ing on the subject was heard from the
Danish government, and it is not an
exaggeration to say that up to the time
Mr.. Brun brought the good news every
official concerned in the matter was of
the opinion that Denmark would not
consent to the terms of the convention.
BY the treaty absolute sovereignty
over the islands of st. Thomas. st. John
and st. Croix, or ST. Kittis is trans
ferred to the United States in consd-
to be about $4,O0O.C00 Denmark made a
strong plea for stipulation that there
should be free trade between the
Islands and the United States. but Sec
retary Hay declined to accede to this
for the reason that congress only has
the right to make tariff arrangements.
Denmark also wanted this government
to agree to take over the inha abitante of
the island as full-aedged American cit
izens, but this could not be conceded
as congress has absolute authority in
that connection. The inhabitants will
therefore, come under the protection of
the United States with the same status
as that possessed by the Porto Ricans,
leaving to congress the determination
of the question of how the islands shall
be governed, and the political standing
OF their people.
The negotiations proper We're OF COM
paratively short duration. For several
years rast the question of the sale of
the island had been agitated, and there
had been some exchanges. on the sub
ject between the two governments. The
Danish minister of foreign affairs and
Mr.. Swenson. the United States minis
ter at Copenhagen. began last year to
attempt to reach an agreement, and the
negotiations We're ultimately transferred
to Washington, where Mr. Hay and Mr..
Brun soon reached an understanding.
which resulted in the treaty that will
be signed
Movements of Rebel Troops.
New York. Jan. PA cipher dispatch