Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-25

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WASHINGTON. July 25.--Negotiations
for the purchase Of the Danish West Indies
by the United States probably will be
closed today.
consideration Is approximately s35.oOo.-
900, iI was stated officially at the White
House.
The negotiations have been carried on
by the state Department and the Danish
Foreign ONCE.
The treaty probably will be signed today
and submitted at once to the United States
and the Danish Parliament for approval.
The islands are of tremendous strategic
value to the United States. Their acquisi-
sion will eliminate danger OF any European
Power acquiring them and establishing
naval base near the Panama Canal.
The islands, once a source of considerable
revenue to Denmark. have in the last few
years become a liability. II is said, with
no available markets for the native prod
ucts.
The United States, part Of the deal,
srelinduishes any rights of discovery" to
certain parts Of Greenland, a Danish pos
session.
ISLANDERS TO VOTE.
1t is assumed that the status of the islands
Of ST. Croix st. Thomas and st. John, should
the treaty be ratified will be similar TO that
The new treaty is peculiar in that It will
require action not only by the American
Senate and the Danish Rigsdag, but by the
United States House of Representatives as
well, since It will be necessary for the
House to supply the needed appropriation
of S25, 900, 900 to defray the expense OF pur-
chase.
II is understood that the people of the
Danish West Indian Islands are to have
voice in this question of cession and that the
Government has given notice that before 1t
ratifies the treaty It will submit the dues-
ton to the people of the islands. II Is
stated further that the people on the Islands
are much In favor OF the transfer TO the
aizerainty Of the United States and that
the treaty Is SO framed that they are not
called on to surrender Danish allegiance,
they may remain Danes In fact and in name
while enjoying whatever advantages, in
commercial way, may result from a trans
fer OF the islands to the United States.
The value of the Danish West Indies to
me United States springs from the unusual
excellence of the harbors of St Thomas
and Santa Cruz. The possession OF these
harbofs is considered to be OF the first
strategic Importance by American naval au'
thorlties The island of St Thomas lies
IN the track of all vessels from Europe to
the Panama Canal. The city Of Charlotte
Amalie, situated on deep bay. the en-.
trance to which is narrow, making splen'
did natural harbor is focal point for
the commerce of the West indies. The
most important German. French and Eng.
lish mail companies still maintain coallng
stations there.
Since the Civil war showed that the lack
Of n harbor OF refuge and a naval base
in the West Indies was great handicap
20 the United States, the acquisition OF the
harbor of ST. Thomas has been an object
of American diplomacy.
In 1902 Secretary Of State Hay and Presi-
dent Roosevelt took up the question, and
Denmark offered to sell the islands for
$4,000 900. The House OF Lords OF the Dem
mark Parliament defeated the treaty by one
vote
DANISH UPPER HOUSE OBJECTS.
II was the belief Of Secretary Hay and
Of President Roosevelt that German inter-
ests were back of the defeat Of the treaty.
The opposition of the Danish Conservative
aristocrats is now considered the sole cause
of the treaty's defeat
In 1907 President Roosevelt sent Maurice
Francis Egan as Minister TO Denmark. to
attempt the task OF changing Danish
opinion President Taft retained Mr..
Exan as his representative in Denmark;
but Mr.. Taft did not strive TO purchase the
islands.
President Wilson also insisted on Mr..
Egan's remaining in Copenhagen. But so
long as William ]. Bryan was Secretary OF
State no attempt TO purchase the Islands
was possible.
the State Department Mr.. Wilson began TO
press the purchase OF the islands. Owing
70 the tact and personal charm OF Minister
Egan. the hostility OF the Danish nobility
70 America and Americans has become
warm cordiality. Mr.. Egan has gained the
affection OF Danes OF all classes. The
Danes no longer fear 70 intrust their negro
subjects 10 the United States. 4Neyerthe-
less. the Conservatives still oppose the ees-
sion OF Danish territory, and the naval and
shipping interests are opposed 70 the re-
llnquishment OF the West Indian ports.
The present radical ministry looks upon
the sale OF the islands from the point ot.l
view not Of sentiment, but OF finance. sines-'
me outbreak OF the war the people OF Dem
mark have become rich. but the Govern
msnt has become poor. Individual Danes
have made fortunes because OF the rise In
shipping shares and because OF the huge
auEns paid by Germany for meat
Al the same time the Government has
been pushed 10 poverty because Of the great
sums necessary for the maintenance OF a
zeiiy neebiiizea army ana OF Dermzrks
numerous socialistio institutions. The offer
af f25so0oo00 for unproduetivs colonies.
therefore. falls opportunely into = period Of
ztrlngsnay IN Government finance.
sincs 177t the trade Of Greenland has
heen = monopoly Of the Danish crown. ana
lhe west coast ana the southern east coast.
4lth its scattered Danish seltlsments, have
been possesalons cf tbs Danish crown
Secretary Rzdneld sid today:
imports into lhe United States FROM the
Danish West Indies Tor the fiscal year end.
a 1une So. 1915. amounted % ss6i,0oe and
- e<neFsa from ne Vn.iea States 70 sles'-
na1ls inta the United states are sea.eee
zaf exzarta fren this country = the thrse
Islands zaz4oea