Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-11
NO ALTERNATIVE
LEFT TO DENMARK
Finance Minister Intimates Gov
ernment Must Yield to Wishes
of United States.
CANNOT UNVElL ARGUMENTS
Bill for Sale of Danish West In
dies Has Its First
Reading.
CANNOT UNVElL ARGUMENTS


1o.-The first reading of the bill pro-
viding for the sale Of the Danish West
Indies to the United States was taken
up in the Folkethinr, the lower house
of the RigsdaG. to-day, and will be
continued tomorrow. II is believed
that the Folkething will adopt the
measure. owing TO the fact that the
Radical and Socialistic parties. which
have majority, favor the sale.
On the other hand, the Landsthing,
or upper house, it is thought, is op-
having joined the Conservatives. who
desire to postpone consideration of the
matter.
During the discussion to-day there
was much excitement in the house,
and some women among the specta-
tors shouted, I'VE Will not sell"
WILL APPEAL TO COUNTRY
If TREATY Is DEFEATED
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 re-
jected the government would dissolve
the Rigsdas and appeal to the coun-
try.
The Finance Minister, Edward Bran
des intimated that the government had
no alternative but to conccde to the
desire of the United States.
The Foreign Minister. Erik de
Scavcnius. in opening the debate, rec
|, commended ratification Of the sale. He
denied that the government was forced
to sell, and added that the govern
mcnt had favored the sale because re-
tcntion of the islands might possibly
involve Denmark in international COM
plications.
]. c. Christensen. ex-Premier and
leader of the Left party, was unable
to believe that there was any interna-
tional danger as such belief would be
an insult TO the United States. In the
opinion of his party, nothing should
he decided during the war. or until
after the elections.
The leaders of tho Radical and
SOCIALIST parties S3lU tnil lnelT
favor the sale, but the Socialist leader
advocated the taking of plebiscite
of the people of the islands, If that
were possible.
UNABLE TO UNvEIL
IT'S CHIEF ARGUMENTS
The Minister OF Finance emphasized
the international considerations which
had precipitated the matter, and de-
clared that those who opposed the sale
had an easy task, because the govern
ment was unable TO unveil it's chief
arguments in favor of the sale. What
should be done, for instance, if the
United states took possession of the
islands, he asked? Should Denmark
declare war against the United States
or appeal to Europe? The government
felt hound to submit TO the desire OF
a great state, but when 4 hurricane
was blowing. one had 10 run before
1t.
He concluded by warning the house
that responsibility for forcing cleo
tions and for the postponement would
fall upon the RiEsdag.
1t would be 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.