New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-11
FoIkething Takes Up Bill
for Transfer to the
United States.
TREATY PUBLICITY
STIRS UP SENATE
Discussion Behind Closed Doors
Attacked, Ridiculed and
Defended.

Copenhagen, Aug. 1O.-The hrst
reading of the bill providing for the
sale of the Danish West Indies to the
United States was taken up to-day IN
the Folkething, the lower house of the
Rigsdag, and will be continued to-mor-
row. It is believed that the Folkethlng
will adopt the measure, as the Radical
and Sociaistic parties, which have
majority, favor the sale.
The Landsthing, or upper house, l.
is thought, is opposed to the measure
the Left party having joined the Con-
servatives, who desire to postpone con-
sideration of the matter.
During the discussion to-day there
was much excitement in the House, and
some women among the spectators
shouted, 1--WE will not SELL"
Agreement a Necessity.
Several of the ministers took part IN
the debate. and the statement was
made in behalf Of the government that
neither domestic nor economic consid-
erations, but the international sltua-
ton, had brought the question to
head, and that if the sale was rejected
the government would dissolve the
Rigsdag and appeal to the country.
The Finance Minister, Edward
Brandes, intimated that the govern
n.ent had no alternative but to accede
to the desire of the United States.
The Foreign Minister, Erik de Scav-
cnius. in opening the debate, recon-
mended ratification of the sale. lie
denied that the government was forced
10 sell. and added that it had not
favored the sale because of the favor
able purchase price, but because re-
tention of the islands might possibly
involve Denmark in international COM
plications. IL was for the Rigsdag now
TO make final decision.
Would Wait Until After War.
+ c. Christensen, ex-Premier and
leader of the Left party, was unaDle
to believe. as rumored, that Denmark
was forced TO sell or that there was
any international danger, as such be,
lief would be an insult TO the United
States. The proposal to sell the
islands, he declared, was not only a
surprise, but had come as a coup de
main. and in the opinion OF his party
nothing should be decided during the
war or until after the elections:
Leaders of the Radical and Soclallst
parties said that their parties favored
the sale, but the Socialist leader advo-
Gated the taking of a plebiscite OF the
people of the islands, if that were pos
sible.
The Conservative leader strongly OPP
posed the sale, declaring that major
ity of his party was against 1t.
The Minister of Finance emphasized
the international consideration which
had brought the matter to a head, ana
declared that dissolution of the Rigs
dag would follow rejection of the meas
ure. Neither consideration OF a do
nestle nature in the islands, nor eco
monte gain had been the deciding FAC
tor. Already, in 1913, the government
had received an offer for the purchase
of the islands, but declined 70 sell, as
it had no desire to lower the Danish
colors anywhere without cogent rea-
sons.
Governments Reasons Secret.
Those who opposed the sale, the min
ister continued, had an easy task, be-
cause the government was unable to
unveil its chief arguments in favor OF
the sale. What should be done, for
instance, if the United States took pos
session of the islands? he asked.
Should Denmark declare war against
the United States or appeal to Europe?
The government felt bound to submit
TO the desire of a great state. The
government regretted that the colors
had to be lowered, but when a hurri-
cane was blowing one had to run be-
fore il.
The minister concluded by warning
the House that responsibility for fore
ing elections, and the consequences
postponement might involve, would fall
on the Rigsdag.
Ii would be serious matter, For
eign Minister de Scavenius declared,
if the sale was postponed, and he en-
phasized that, with regard to foreign
affairs, the Rigsdag, as at present con-
stituted, was fully competent to make
a decision.