Evening star., 1916-08-12
Referendum Proposed.

The opposition speakers repeatedly
offered the suggestion that the popu-
lation of the islands should be allowed
a referendum on the proposed sale.
Replying to this argument, the minister
Of foreign affairs said that during the
negotiations he had asked the Ameri-
can government whether 1t was favor
able to such q referendum and that
the American government refused to
sanction 1t.
He added. however, that he was will
ng to bring the matter again to the
attention Of the United States. although
he was not sure that he would succeed
ceedings. It is possible that vote
may be reached this evening.
Ministers Join in Debate.
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 situa-
tion, had brought the question to a
head and that If the sale was rejected
the government would dissolve the
rigsdag and appeal to the country.
The finance minister, Edward Bran
des. intimated that the government had
no alternative but to accede to the de-
sire of the United States.
The foreign minister, Erik de Scave-
MUS, in opening the debate, recon-
mended ratification of the sale. He
denied that the government was forced
to sell, and added that the government
had not favored the sale of the ISLANDS
because of the favorable purchase
price, but because retention OF the rs
lands might possibly involve Denmark
in international complications. 1t was
for the rigsdag now to make a nnal
decision.
Would Not Act Now.
J. C. Christensen, ex-premier ana
leader of the left party, was unable
to believe as rumored. that Denmark
was forced to sell or that there was
any international danger, as such belief
would be an insult to the Uniteo Statss'
The proposal to sell the islands, ne De.
clared. was not only surprise, but
had come as a coup de main, and in the
opinion of his party nothing snoulu De
decided during the war or until aiter
the elections.
,,st parties said that their parties Ia
vored the sale, but the socialist leader
advocated the taking OF a piepiscite
Of the people Of the islands. II that ma,
wsr. possible possible onnosed 1ns tho Se"ss ssle des
claripg that majority OF MS party
was against It
VIII Dissolve Rigsdag.
. Tho minister Of finance emphasized
the international considerations which
had precipitated the matter and de-
cIared that dissolution Of the rigsdag
wouId follow rejection Of the measure.
.Neither consideration of a domestic
nature in the islands nor economic
gain had been the deciding factor.
Already. in 1913, the government mad
received an offer for the purchase OF
the islands, but declined to sell as 1t
mad no desire to lower the Danish
colors anywhere without cogent rea-
sons.
tinued, had an easy task because the
aovernment was unable to unveil its
chief arguments in favor of the sale.
What should be done. for instance, II
the United States took possession OF
the islands? he asked. Should Den
mark declare war against the United
states or appeal to Europe? The gov
ernment felt bound to submit to the
desire Of a great state; the govern
ment regretted that the colors had to
be lowered. but when hurricane was
blowing one had to run before It,
He closed by warning the house that
responsibility for forcing elections and
the consequences a postponement might
involve would fall upon the rigsdag.
1t would be a serious matter, Foreign
Minister de Scavenius declared. IL the
sale was postponed, and he emphasized
that with regard to foreign affairs the
rigsdag, as at present constituted. was
fully competent to make decision.