The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-05-25
WILL DENMARK SELL?

The death Of the King of Denmark,
Frederick VIII, has centered the spot
light on proposition which, if carried
ont, will be Of very great interest to
the American people. Denmark, it is
known, has three islands in the West
Indies, st. Thomas, ST. John, and St.
| Croi1 There have been negotiations
from time TO time with regard to those
islands between Denmark and the
United States. There have been sug-
cestions that the United States should
buy them, and price OF $7,OoO,OOO
was at one time fixed as what should
be paid; but the negotiations fell
through. There have been rumors from
time to time that Germany has her eye
on those islands and is desirous Of OBJ
tanning them. German merchants and
shippers have been very active on St
| Thomas, and German money has been
largely applied to the deepening and
| charging Of the harbor OF Charlotte
| Amalie, the capital Of that island, and
these improvements arc said to be far
in advance Of any immediate demand,
pointing TO plan Of future CONNER
cial increase at the completion Of the
Panama Canal which might inure to
| the benefit of German commerce.
The late King Frederick VIII. Of
Denmark was a very close friend of
the Kaiser, IT is said that the now
king, Christian X, is also firm friend
of the German Emperor, and the rumor
is revived that Denmark may sell those
islands TO Germany.
In case Of such sale. the question is,
how, if at all, the Monroe doctrine
would apply. The islands are now
owned by European power. Would
it be an invasion of the Monroe doc.
trine to have those islands transferred
to another European power7 1t was
understood when the negotiations were
on before with the United States. that
this country undertook those nerotia-
tions in part, at least, to head off a re-
ported transfer OF them to Germany
And IN case such n sale were now, in
fact, undertaken, would the United
States have any reason under the Mon
roe doctrine 10 object? Ordinarily, one
would say yes. because the transfer Of
those islands from a weak power like
Denmark to an immensely powerful
empire like Germany, might be of inn
mcnse practical Importance 10 the
United States. Denmark, as owner of
those islands, would never be a menace
TO the United States, either politically
or commercially; hut with the posses
sion of those islands, Germany might
be keen thorn in our side on both
accounts. Therefore, the United States
would be obliged to take very strong
interest in any negotiations Of the kind
that might spring up between Den
mark and Germany.
We note that the Cleveland Plain
Dealer holds that the Monroe doctrine
would not apply in this case, Techni-
cslly. perhaps it would not; but that is
one Of the very points that we urged
in discussing the Monroe doctrine
few days ago, that il is left in such in
definite form as TO be fruitful OF
trouble IL * clear that new con-
ditiou. and one entirely different, prob.
ably unfavorable TO the United States.
would be created through the purchase
Of those islands by Germany, and we
are inclined TO think that the United
States would insist that if Denmark
wishes 10 sell those islands at all, this
country is her natural customer, and
should have the first opportunity to
buy.
Germany has never accepted the
Monroe doctrine. and it has at times
seemed on the point Of eagerness 10
test II and see how far tho European
powers would support Germany, or ac-
ouicsec in the American principle and