Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-25
Efforts to Acquire These
Islands Dates From War

The value of the Danish West Indies
to the United States springs from the
unusual excellence of the harbors of
st. Thomas and Santa Cruz. The pos
session of these harbors is considered
to be Of the first strategic importance
by American naval authorities. The
island of St. Thomas lies in the track
of all vessels from Europe to the
Panama canal. The city of Charlotte
EAmalie, situated on a deep bay, the
entrance to which is narrow, making
a splendid natural harbor, is a focal
point for the commerce of the West
Indies. The most important German.
French and English mail companies
still maintain coaling stations there.
Since the Civil War showed that the
lack of a harbor of refuge and naval
base in the West Indies was great
handicap to the United States, the ac-
QUESTION of the harbor of st. Thomas
has been an object of American diplo-
macy. In 1865 Secretary Of State
Seward began negotiations for the pur-
chase of the islands
Once offered S5.OOO,OOO
In 1902 Secretary of State Hay and
President Roosevelt took up the ques-
ton and Denmark offered to sell the
island for s5.0O0.000. But the Danes
thought 1t necessary to send lobbyists
to Washington to obtain the ratification
of the treaty by the Senate. The ac-
tivities of these lobbyists brought the
negotiations into such bad odor that,
although the Senate ratified the treaty,
the House of Lords of the Danish Par
lament defeated the treaty by one
vote.
1t was the belief of Secretary Hay
and of President Roosevelt that Ger
man interests were back of the defeat
of the treaty. They believed that Herr
BALM desired 70 obtain st. Thomas as
a base for the Hamburg American
Line, and, indirectly, for the German
fleet. The hypothesis of German in
reference with President Roosevelt's
attempt to buy the islands, however,
is not believed bv those in closest touch
with the subject to-day. The oppo-
sition of the Danish Conservative aris-
tocrats is considered the sole cause of
the treaty's defeat.
This opposition still exists. The aris-
tocrats of Denmark look back with
chagrin on Denmark's successive losses
of the Orkneys, the Faroes, the Danish
possessions in India and the provinces
of Schleswig and Holstein. For senti-
mental reasons they are opposed to
giving up single foot of Danish ter
ritory.
Bryan Holdback
So long as Willi4m ]. Bryan was
Secretary of State no attempt to pur-
chase the islands was possible for
Mr.. Bryan had so little interest in the
subject that he told the Senate COM
nlILee on foreign aIalrS ne dld not
even know there were Danish islands
in the West Indies.
After the departure of Mr.. Bryan
from the State Department Mr.. Will
son began to press the purchase of the
islands. Owoing to the tact and per-
sonal charm of Minister Egan, the
hostility of the Danish nobility to
America and Americans has become
warm cordiality. Mr.. Egan has gained
the affection of Danes of all classes.
The Danes no longer fear to intrust
their negro subjects to the United
still oppose the cession of Danish ter
terests are opposed to the relinquish-
ment of the West Indian ports.
But neither the Conservatives nor
the shipping interest control the gov
ernment A radical ministry, holding
views in many respects socialistic, con-
trolls Denmark. It's leading member
is Erik de Scavenius, minister of for
eign affairs. If this ministry continues
to control the government, the treaty
for the sale of the islands will be
ratified by both houses of Parliament
The strained diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States and Germany
during the first week in May delayed
the announcement of the negotiations
between the United States and Den
mark. The Danes feared that the sale
of the islands would be regarded by
the Germans as an unfriendly act; and
the Danes dare not anger the Ger
mans. For every Dane fears that the
fate of Schleswig and Holstein awaits
the whole of his once great nation.