Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-08-05
Secretary Lansing and Danish
Minister Conclude ExeCu-
ton of Document for For
nal Ratification.
SENATE MUST FIRST
APPROVE THE DEAL
twenty-five Million Dollars to
Be Paid for Three Small
Pieces of Land Which Dot
the Atlantic Ocean,

10, -o--,.s ,ouas., s,.o,At L....o ~rssI

tsr sorsss JouRHAt ss~ciAL Lsssss ~tssl
Washington Aug t--Purchase by
the United States of the Islands OF 81.
Thomas ST. CroiX ana ST. Johns. to
the east OF Porto Rico and comprising
an archipelago known az the Danish
West Indies, Is provided for in a treaty
signed today by the United States and
Denmark II will he submitted at
once to the United states senate and
the Danish parliament, whose ratifi-
cations are necessary to complete the
purchase agreement
No Senate Opposition.
No serious opposition Is expected IN
the senate, where action will be sought
at the present session Since the ne
gotiations begun several months ago
the foreign relations committee has
been In close touch with developments
and It's members are understood TO
be virtually unanimous In their ap-
proval Senator Lodge, the ranking
republican member issued state
mont tonight declaring the arguments
in favor of acquisition OF the islands
are unanswcrable The only obiec-
tlou Is expected TO come from senator's
who believe the purchase price Of
$4,000, 600 too great
Germany May Balk It.
The outcome in the Danish parlia-
ment Is more uncertain, although the
expectation here is that the treaty viii
be accepted fuToprau powers, which
have wanted possession OF the Islands
for strategic military reasons, are not
expected to look with favor on ths
proposed sale to the United States and
they may bring strong pressure to
bear at Copenhagen. II Is recalled
that failure Of similar purchase trea-
" in the Danish parliament years ago
was attributed to German influence
Signed In New York.
The signing Of the treaty toO6
place in New ork, whore Secretary
Lansing and Coastantin Brun, the
Danish minister, both away from the
capital ON vacation, met TO affiX their
signatures to the document The copy
which viii be filed at the state de-
partmcnt was brought to Washington
tonight by Assistant Solicitor Woolsey
Details of the pact will not be made
public until if is transmitted to ths
senate, at least II Is understood TO
provide, however. for complete acqui-
sltion Of the islands but to stipuIate
that Danish business interests there
shall be guaranteed protection A
clause also IS included cedinE to Den
mark the underlined American rights
OF discovery in Greenland q Danish
possession
Might Lead 10 War
Senator Lodge emphasized in his
statement tonight Che possibility that
the islauds if not acquired by the
United states. might fall into the
hands Of some European power and
involve this government in difficult,
ties under the Monroe doctrine,
(which might easily lead to war"-a
consideration which It rs understood
has been prominently before the eyes
of officials here In their negotiations
for the purchase
Great Strategic Value
In the interest of peace" said Ser-
ator Lodge. ~ ls of great Importance
that these islands should pass into the
hands OF the United states From
military point OF view their value ,o1
hardly DE oycrpabmitcd The tip2
harbor OF ~ Thomas tulhlIs all the
required uaNa aud military condl-
tiona AS has been pointed out by the
late Admiral Mahan. It Us one Of the
most suat.4. points ia the West In
dies
The population is only $1,000. ot
whom n,arlt 10000 are negroes
There ts me- possibility of any material
urrCec of populations and annexation
Vould mover involve at any time lue
question of statehood
.Thc Danish islands could be read
NJ d,ftoH,d from attack occupy
omwaudug strategic position spd
lt.of Nu,N,ulabIc value 20 tho United
staJys