Christian X of Denmark
In an unofficial vote on Saint Croix arranged by Hamilton Jackson 4,027 voted in favour of the sale and only seven voted against. On 21 December the Danish parliament ratified the treaty, and on 9 March 1917 Christian X of Denmark officially said goodbye to the islands in an open letter. On 1 April the formal transfer of the islands took place, only five days before the United States declared war on Germany.