The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-26
Danish West Indies Have Been
Bought By Uncle Sam at
Nifty Sum of $25.0OO,000
ISLANDS NECESSARY
TO CANAL DEFENSE
Close Neighbors of Porto Rico
Third Attempt to Close
Transaction Offer Raised
From 100000 in 1902

Washington, July 25.--Announce-
ment was made at the White House
TO-DAY that negotiations are practl-
caAy completed tor the purchase of
the Danish West Indies by the United
States. the purchase price to be $685.
100000. 1t was stated that the
treaty probably will be signed within
Two or three days.
The announcement was regarded
at the State Department as prema-
ture' II is feared the publicity given
the negotiations may threaten their
success
There is no opposition in the SEN
ate to the treaty. ana it probably will
De ratified before adjournment.
There is some criticism In the House
OF the amount offered. but It is not
expected 10 develop into serious OPP
position 10 the appropriation.
Apprehension was felt at the State
Department that Germany might OBJ
3ect TO the transaction. In previous
negotiations Denmark has enjoined
secrecy for the reason that the great
puoHcity given TO the subject would
no doubt increase the difficulties here
(Copenhasen) and make II more diff
fcult TO carry the matter through
TO success
Not Dickering With Germany.
1t had been denied by the DAN
ish government that any negotiation
with Germany for the sale OF the Ia
lands TO that country were pending.
although Germany's interest In what
ever disposition might be made Of
them was apparent in Washington.
Germany for years has desired q coal
ing station IN the West Indies and
also she was understood to be DESTROYS
mat Denmark should not part with
them, In the possibility that there
may De a consolidation OF the Dam
ish Kingdom with Germany. IT was
said today that the passage OF the
Lodge resolution In 1919, which was
thought at the time to be directed
entirely at Japan's attempt to get
control of Magdalena Bay In Lower
California, was inspired In part by
the belief that German interests were
then considering the acquisition OF
the Danish West Indies.
Needed to Defentf Canal
Possession Of the Danish West In
o1es by the United States has long
oeen regarded az essential The build
ing OF the Panama Canal made It I'm
peraftve that the United States secure
along the Atlantic approach TO thai
waterway site for a naval base 20
balance the possession OF Hawaiian
Islands IN the Pacific No other site
was regarded as having the strategic
advantages possessed by the Danish
Islands and this 10 said TO account for
the Increase In the amount offered
from 100000 IN 1902 10 $4,000
600.
One consideration that moved the
administration to press FOR the pur-
chase Of the islands was the fact that
as long re- they were on the market
some European power might purchase
them. involving the Monroe doctrine
and threatening the peace OF the
United States
Naval officials declared TODAY that
the proposed naval station will mask
the British station at Jamaica and
neutralige its value with regard 70 the
Panama Canal.
The treaty will provide for the ces-
sion OF the islands of ST. Thomas living
thirty-six miles east OF Porto Rico.
twelve miles east and west and from
one to three miles wide: Santa Cruz
forty miles south OF St. Thomas nine
teen miles long and of irregular
breadth; and st. John. eight miles
long and OF irregular breath.
A State Department report says OF
the harbor of st. Thomas: 1T Is AL
Continued on Seventh Page.)