Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-28
DANISH WEST INDIES
/. To Be PURCHASED BY
j. S. FROM DENMARK
Treaty Bringing Island Posses
sion to America for $780,
100000 Probably viii Be
Signed Tuesday
CRy Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, July 25.-Official an
nouncement was made at the White
House today that negotiations have
practically been completed for the pur-
chase of the Danish West Indies by the
United States from Denmark for $685.
10000
treaty closing the transaction prob
ably will be signed today and sent i'm
mediately to the senate.
While details of the treaty were not
given out it is understood that the
United States would come in complete
possession of the islands. Word has been
received from Denmark that the treaty
is practically certain of being ratified
by the Danish parliament and it is I'M
derstood the Washington administration
hopes 1t will be ratified at this session
of congress.
VALUE is STRATEGIC.
The three islands of the Danish West
Indies-St. Croix, st. Thomas and ST.
John-he due east of Porto Rico ano
their value to the United States is
strategic from a military point of view.
The harbors of st. Thomas and st. Croix
are of first Importance to the American
navy and st. Thomas itself lies in the
lane of shipping from Europe to the
Panama canal. Important German,
French and English mail companies
have coaling stations there.
The acquisition of the islands by the
United States has been the subject of
unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations
since the Civil war and at one time
Denmark offered the islands for S5,0O0,-
900. The United States senate ratified
the treaty, but the Danish senate de-
feated it, largely because of the oppo-
sition of Danish aristocrats, which still
is said to exist. 1t is said that if the
proposed treaty is ratified by both gov
ernments the transfer will be submitted
to the people of the islands. In the first
negotiation in 1866 they approved a
change.
The three islands of st. Croix, ST.
Thomas and st. John, in the order Of
their size and population, were discover
ed by Columbus in 1893. Spanish, Brit
ish, French, Dutch and Danish flags
have f1oated over one or all of the
islands at various times.
Naval officers regard the Danish West
Indies as most valuable for any Euro
pean government wishing to quarrel
it was essential to the highest degree
to keep them from falling into unfriend-
ly hands. They have pointed out that
they are very near the naval station
at Guantanamo, only a thousand miles
from Key West and a menace to the
free navigation of the Windward and
Mona passages, the Caribbean sea ana
the routes to American Atlantic coast
cities.
DENMARK NEEDS MONEY.
Denmark's huge expenses since the
beginning of the war are said to be
responsible for her willingness to sell
the islands.
The negotiations, continuation of
conversations carried on unsuccessfully
in 1901 and 1910. were resumed several
months ago. 1t is understood that Dem
mark, feeling the pinch of war, desired
to rid herself of the islands. not only
as a financial proposition. but to elimi-
nate one troublesome element in main
tanning her neutrality. The United
States in 1910 signifed a willingness to
buy, but the offer made by Denmark
then was withdrawn before any con-
clusion was reached.
Lying near Porto Rico, the islands
are said by naval officials here to
possess excellent advantages as a naval
base and coaling station. In the archl-
pelago are the islands of st. Thomas,
ST. Croix and st. John. The price Of
fered by the United States in 1901 was
S4,00O,000, but it is understood much