The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-18
DANISH
TREATY
RATIFIED
Approved by Senate Without
Am ndm,nl After Being Con-
sidered for an Hour.

Washington, Feb. 1s-Tn a little more
than an hours time yesterday the Senate
disposed of the treaty with Denmark for
the cession OF the islands OF ST. Thomas
81. John and ST. Croix, composing the
group of the Antilles known as the Dan
ish West Indies and lying just east OF
Porto Rico, 20 the United States for
consideration OF 5000 900.
Thus, so far as this country il concern
ed, transaction was consummated which
has been under consideration intermit-
tently since the administration of Presi-
dent Lincoln.
The treaty and the report on II were
read at length and more on less of a dis
cussion on the proposition was engaged
In. Sena tors Cullom made a speech ex-
planning the advantages OF the acquisi-
tion of the islands
Senators Bacon HHu MCfsHurtu ofAfis-
sissippi each spoke briefly. saying that
while they could not indorse all the pro-
visions OF the agreement they would place
no obstacles in the way OF ratification.
Senator Bacon moved 10 amend the
treaty by striking out the second para
graph OF article g. reading as follows:
"The civil rights and the political status
OF the inhabitants OF the islands shall be
determined by the congress, subject 10
lne HilpuldllpHS tpNNdlutu III the litStll
convention"
He based his opposition to this provision
on the general ground that the constitu-
tion should extend TO the islands when
they became a part Of the United States
lie said, however, that the failure TO ac-
cept the amendment would not prevent
his voting for the treaty for he believed
I'm the Monroe doctrine. Under that doc
trine this country could not permit any
European power 20 acquire the islands
and we could not I'm fairness take this
position and then ourselves refuse TO buy
them when they were for sale
The amendment was rejected without
division.
Senator Cullom explained all the provi-
sions OF the treaty. and gave a detailed
account of their resources and their COM
mercisl value 90 the United States. lie
said that the provision affecting the civil
rights OF the Inhabitants was similar TO
the provision on the same subject I'm the
Spanish treaty concerning Porto Rico.
lie said that I'm taking over the islands
the United states would assume no bur
den Of debt for. by the terms OF the
agreement all claims held by Denmark
against the insular treasurer would be
cancelled. lie placed the total claims at
S2O0O.0n0
Senator Cullom explained that under
the terms OF the treaty the United States
would take possession 81 the islands as
soon AZ ratiilcatlons could be exchanged.
and he said that n would not be neces-
sary to delay that act until the appropria.
tion of money to pay FOR them could be
made.
The harbor at 81 Thomas was describe
cd by him as one OF the safest and best
in the West indies. He said that the con-
troll of that harbor commands the mill
tary situation as far as necessary in
AL nd Nc Ia - Itffff "a az II
across the lsthnus of Panama the owner
ship of the harbor by the United states
H. essential because u would guard the
approach 10 ~.
Senator cllloms motion to ratify then
was adopted by a viva yose vote,