Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-08-05
America and Denmark
Make Preliminaries of
$25, 100000 Transfer.
LEGISLATIVE BODIES
MUST RATIFY DEAL
Population of Islands Only
$4,000 and Most of
Those Negroes.

NASHINGTON. Aug. 4.-Pur-
w chase by the United States of
the islands St Thomas st. Croix and
81. John, lying east of Porto Rico and
cOmpl Using an archipelago known as
the Danish West Indies, is provided
for in a treaty signed today by the
United states and Denmark. II viii
be submitted at once to the United
States senate and the Danish parlia-
ment whose Publications are neces-
saiy to complete the purchase agree
ment
No serious opposition is expected in
tie senate, where action will be
sought at the present session. The
foreign relations committee is under
stood to be virtually unanimous in ap-
proNal Senator Lodge. the ranking
Republican member, issued a state
ment tonight declaring the arguments
in favor of acquisition of the islands
are unanswerahle. The only objec-
ton is expected to come from senators
who believe the purchase price of
So, 900. 900 to great.
Outcome Uncertain.
The outcome in the Danish parl.-
ament is more uncertain although
the expectation here Is that the treaty
VIII be accepted. European powers
which have wanted possession of the
Islands for strategic military reasons
arc not expected to look with favor
on the proposed sale to the United
States and they may bring strong
pressure to bear at Copenhagen. Fail
ure Of "A similar purchase treaty in
the Danish parliament years ago was
attributed to German influence.
The signing of the treaty took
place in New York, where Secretary
Lansing and Constantin Brun, the
Danish minister, both away from the
capital on vacations, met to affix their
signatures to the document.
copy, which will be filed at the
state department was brought to
Washington tonight by Assistant So
licitor Woolsey.
Details of the pact will not be made
public until it is transmitted to the
senate at least. 1t is understood to
provide, however, for complete acqul-
stion sf the islands, but to stiplate
that Danish business interests there
shall be guaranteed protection. A
clause also is included ceding to Den
mark the underlined American rights
of discovery in Greenland, a Danish
possession.
Great Possibility.
Senator Lodge emphasized in his
statement tonight the possibility that
the islands, if not acquired by the
United states, might fall into the
hands of some European power and
involve this government in difficulties
under the Monroe doctrine, which
might easily lead to war consid-
GRAFTON which it is understood has
been prominently before the eyes OF
officials here in their negotiations
Tor the purchase.
"In the interest OF peace" said Sem
ator Lodge, st is of great Importance
that these islands should pass into tho
bands of the United States. From
a military point of view their value
can hardly be overestimated. The fine
harbor of st. Thomas fulfills all tho
required naval and military condi-
tions. AS has been pointed out by
the late Admiral Mahan ii is one OF
the great strategic points in the West
Indies.
The population is only $4,000. Of
whom nearly thirty thousand are
negroes. There is no possibility Of
any material increase in population
and annexation would never involve
at any time the troublesome question
of statehood.
The Danish islands, which could
be readily defended from attack, oc-
cupy a commanding strategic position
and are of incalculable value to the
United States"