.0^ .-^"^ ^^ " rP^..-^^*^^ C" ♦ ^o .-^^ . «H°,<» ♦ -^ o. iP-T^J ^ .^"^i ^0^ \/^^\/ V^^*/ \/^?^\/ ^ '^ - • • • ■-»• >.- /.C^T^^^^ *" o'"** '^ 0^ ^•l /*»»,*, o ♦ «.^ >. \/ .•1°* L^Oe. ^^VP^^^ ^1 -^^0^ 57th Congress, | "" ' ' 'CONFIDENTIAL. | Report No. 1. 1st Session. J | Executi\te. CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. Feckuaey 5, 1902. — <;)rilei-ed to lie printed in confidence for the use of the Senate. ^ '^tt:::^ — Mr. CuLLOM, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, submitted the following REPORT. [To acconipiiny Executive M, P'lfty-seventh Congress, first session.] This treaty provides for the cession to the United States by Den- mark of the Danish West Indies, consisting of the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and Sainte Croix (or Santa Cruz). ATLANTIC OCEAN San Juan c*77,.^c ^ ^ ■^ ---^..^^ Culebra JL^VC^ Porto ) ^ "^ ^-^^ Rico /r..^-' ^- / ^^^rab Island , _ . — ^ 5f. Croix '^ > -z. CARIBBEAN SEA "J^ e ^ a ^^

. 750.000 in addition for Santa Cruz. Finally Secretary Seward agreetl to purchase -^Y. Thomas and St.. John for the CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 5 price named by Denmark, $7,500,000. but further complications arose because Denmark insisted that the consent of the people of the islands should be formally given before the sale was consummated. This was at first objected to by Mr. Seward, but he finally cabled our minister to '' concede (juestion of vote,'"' and on the '24th of October the treat^v was signed. The question was submitted to a vote of the people, the voting occurring in 8t. Thomas on January 1>, 18GS, and out of 1,030 votes cast there Avere but 22 votes against the cession. In St. John there Avere but 205 Azotes in favor of the cession and not one against it. The treaty was submitted to the Rigsdag of Denmark and promptly ratified and signed by the King on June 31, 1808. It was submitted to the Ignited States Sen;ite on Deceml)er 3. 18GT. Senator Sumner Avas chaii'man of the Connnittee on Foreign Relations during this period, and the treaty remained unreported for more than tAvo years, Avhen on March 2-1. 1870, Senator Sumner reported it adversely and the Senate declined to rjitify it. The negotiations for the purchase of the islands commenced under I'resident Lincoln ; the treaty Avas signed shortly after AndreAv Johnson became President, but it Avas not acted upon until the acl ministration of President Grant. The correspondence attached to Report No. 816, attached hereto, shoAvs that the ]iurch:ise of these islands Avas considered by Secretaries Foster and Olney during the administrations of Presidents Harrison and Cleveland. On March 31. 1808. the Connnittee on Foreign Relations reported a bill authorizing the President to purchase the Danish "West India Islands for a naval and coaling station, and on this bill Senator Lodge submitted the report already referred to. The bill Avas not acted upon. THE A'ALUE OF THE ISLANDS TO THE UNITED STATES. These islands, together Avith Porto Rico, are of great importance in a strategic Avay, Avhetlier the strategy be military or commercial. St. Thomas is the natural point of call for all European trade bound to the West Indies, Central America, or northern South America. These islands, together Avith Porto Rico, form the northeastern corner of the Caribbean Sea and are of great importance in connection Avith the American isthmus, where a canal Avill be constructed l)etAveen the Atlantic and Pacific. They are of first importance in connection with our relations to the region of the Orinoco and the Amazon and Avith our control of the WindAvard Passage. In vieAv of the isthmian canal and European settlements in South America, every additional acquisition by the ITnited States in the AVest Indies is of value. Porto Rico is densely ]:)oi-)ulated. Its roads are poor. It has a long- coast line Avithout ports for large vessels. It is consequently very difficult of defense. San Juan is the only harbor capal)le of fortifica- tions, and this is only suitable for vessels of light draft. JVIajor Glassford. of the Signal Corps, in Avriting of the military advantages of St. Thomas, has stated: The island of St. Tlionias offea-s conditions suit:il)]e for develonins a first-class military outpost. This island posscs.ses all the natural advanta.ues, enaldini;- it to be converted into a second (iiliraltar. The sti'ucture of this narroAV island, with its long- central ridge, having a general (^levation of nlxiut 1.000 feet, 6 CESSION OF DAXISH ISI.AXDS IX THE WEST IXDIES. with some points .lOO feet hij-iier, is especially adapted for the eniplaceinent of fortilicatioiis coniniandinji both shores at the same time, makin.i; it extremely dilticult for an enemy to approach or to obtain a foothold upon the island. The elevated .uround in the innnediate nei,irhl)orhood of the excellent road.steads Avliieh this island affords makes the qtiestion of harbor defense a comparatively easy one. This position, with its few inliabitants. could be easily provisioned for a long sie.ge. The harbor of Charlotte Anialie and the numerous sheltered places aboiit the island afford G and 7 fathoms of water. Beside, this harI>or and the roadsteads are on the southern side of the island, completely protected from the prevailiui,' strong winds. If this place were strongly fortitied and provisioned, it wituld be necessary for an enemy contemplating a descent upon Porto Kico t. permission was given to IG of the inliabit- ants of St. Thomas to cultivate the island of St. John. Tlie Danes had taken formal possession in 1684. and after the settlement the fate of this little island was bound with that of its larger sister. The events in the history of these two islands are not numerous. In 1724 St. Thomas was formally declared a port of entrance for all nations, though this had in fact long been the case. In 1733 occurred the great slave insurrection on the island of St. John, which resulted in the death of several whites and which was finally put down by the assistance of some French troops from Santo Domingo. The history of the island of Santa Cruz, which lies somewhat to the south of the Virgin group, is far more dramatic. Discovered by Columbus in the same month in which he came upon the Virgin group, we first find it inhabited in the year 1643 by two distinct parties of English and Dutch. Two ^^ars later, as a result of mutual jealousies and civil war between the two parties, the Dutch were com- pelled to leave the island. The English, however, were not long al- lowed to enjoy the fruits of their victory, for in 1650 they were at- tacked by a force of 1.-200 Spaniards and driven from the island. A small company of Spaniards was left to hold the place. After an unsuccessful attempt to regain possession of the island by the Dutch, the 65 Spaniards who had been left to defend it were attacked liy a force of 160 Frenchmen from St. Kitts and surrendered to the new- comers without resistance. Thus in the space of seven years English. Dutch. Spanish, and French had in turn sought to gain possession of the island of Santa Cruz. During the next century its historv was also eventful. In 1651 the Knights of :Nralta bought St. Christopher. St. Martin. St. Bar- tholomew, Tortuga, and Santa Cruz for 120.000 livres. Avhich were paid down by Commandant de Poincey. He was thus virtual owner of the islands until 1653. when he ceded them to the Knights of Malta, whose dominion was confirmed by a royal concession, made in March, 1683. and signed by Louis XIV. The affairs of the islands were not prosperous, owing to sickness, restriction of their commerce, and con- sequent hindrance to agriculture. After futile attempts to restore pros])erity to the islands, things became so bad that in 1720 the French settlers deuiolished their forts, abandoned the island, and re- moved to Santo Domingo. "After this." says Knox. "• it was visited by the ships of all nations until 1727. when the French captured seven English merchant vessels, which were lying there, and again took possession of the island. From this time until the year 1753 it con- tinued to be the property of France, from whom it was at length purchased by King Christian VI for 750.000 French livres.'' In 1736 the Danish West India Company allied themselves with a body of merchants in Copenhagen, and. by excluding the Dutch from all commerce witli the islands, established a monopoly of trade. The result of this restriction was most unfortunate to the islanders, and things went from bad to worse until in 1758 the King took over the colonies, paying the company 2.200.000 pieces of eight ($1,418,000) for them. They have remained ever since in the possession of the Danish Crown. Santa Cruz, the cajjital of tlie Danish Islands, has an area of al)out 81 English square miles. Its shape is elongated. l>eing about 19 Eng- CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 11 lish miles east and west and from 5 to 1 English miles north and south. The northern i^art of the island is intersected from east to west by a range of hills or low mountains. The southwestern part of the island is level or slightly undulating. The shores are surrounded by coral reefs, except in the northwest, where depths of 1,000 fathoms are found near the shore. There are several small creeks or water- courses in the island. The climate is tropical, the temperature high and subject to little variation; the yearly average is 27.2° C, with a little more than three degrees difference between the mean tempera- ture during the warmest month, August, and the coldest month, February. A trade wind blows during the whole year with the exception of the hurricane months — August, September, and October — when it becomes irregular and sometimes ceases altogether. According to the last census the population of St. Croix numbered 19,683 souls, of which 9,o,5'2 are males and 10,251 females. The town of Christian- sted contains 5,199 persons and Frederiksted 3,685. The remainder live in the rural districts. Sugar is the staple production. Of the 51,980 acres which the island contains 16.178 acres are in sugar, and of the remainder 29,776 acres are chiefly pasture, while 1.926 acres are unused. There are some 100 sugar estates on the island in culti- vation, and in 1896 the export of sugar amounted to about 15,000 tons. There is semiweekly regular communication with St. Thomas, and the Quebec and the Pickford and Black lines of steamers pro- ceed as a rule from St. Thomas to "West End or Frederiksted on their outward voyages, the former touching at both ports on the return. The island of St. Thomas is about 13 miles long by 1 in width, with a population of something like 12,000 souls, of which about 200 enjoy electoral privileges. Owing to its geographical position and fine harbor, which is so easy of access, it long maintained an important position as the entrepot of the West Indies, headquarters for many lines of steamers, a coaling station, and a port of refuge. In late years business has somewhat fallen awa}^ St. Thomas is the West India headquarters and coaling station of the Hamburg- American Packet Company, and the German, French, and English mail com- panies also have coaling stations there. The French mail stops once a month from Havre, Bordeaux, and the Spanish port of Santander, with an intercolonial boat from Martinique and Guadeloupe. The German mail from Hamburg direct about every ten days, and the English mail every fourteen days, make connection with the English and French Windward Islands. The Xew York service is done by the Quebec Line about every three weeks, and by the " Eed D " Line once a month. The Pickford and Black steamers call regularly every four weeks from St. Johns, Xew Brunswick, and Halifax via Ber- muda. In addition there is a monthly service by the West India and Pacific Company from Liverpool, proceeding to Colon, Jamaica, etc. St. John is an island with an area of 12 square miles and a popula- tion of 915 souls. The product of the island is sugar. The first negotiations of the United States for the purchase of the Danish Islands were begun by Mr. Seward, then Secretary of State, in January, 1865, at least so it is supposed. There is mention in contemporary pamphlets of a dinner party at the French embassy, where Mr. Seward first expressed to General Raaslof, the Danish charge d'affaires, the desire of the United States to buv the Danish 12 CESSIOX OF DAXISH ISLAXDS IX THE WEST IXDIE3. Islands in the Antilles. Afterwards other conferences followed of an nnofficial character, Mr. SeAvard nrging the Danish minister, who replied that Denmark had no desire to sell the islands. Great secrecy was insisted upon and preserved. This was nnder the Presidency of Lincoln. General liaaslof. ^vho was himself opposed to the sale, re- ported these interviews to his Government, who replied that it would be advisable to drop the negotiations, as the Danish Government had no desire to ])art with these colonies. Mr. SeAvard's carriage accident, consequent illness, and temporary incapacity for piililic affairs con- firmed this attitude on the part of Denmark. In April came the assassination ci the President, the wounding of Mr. Seward, and the accession of ^Ir. Johnson to the Chief Executive. Mr. Seward's recovery was slow, and it Avas not until December. 180,5. on the eve of his departure for the South, a journey taken to restore his health, that the Secretary of State again mentioned the matter to General Eaaslof. The complexion of affairs Avas noAv someAvhat al- tered. A new ministry had come into poAver at Copenhagen, and it Avas less opposed to the sale than the former one had been. Hence, a note to ]\Ir. ScAvard. declaring that although the Government had no desire to sell, still it Avas net unAvilling to entertain the Secretary's propositions. A request was made that the United States declare hoAv much it Avas Avilling to give. Mr. SeAvard dei)arted. and during his aljsence visited St. Thomas and convinced himself of the necessity of the purchase. On his re- turn he jDressed General Eaaslof to name a price, and the Danish minister in turn demanded that, as the Ignited States Avished to buy and not Denmark to sell, an offer should be made l)y the American Government. Finally, on. July IT. ISOO. as General Eaaslof Avas leav- ing for Co]ienhagen. jNIr. SeAvard delivered to him a note offerino-. on behalf of the United States. $5,000,000 for the three Danish islands. St. Thomas. St. John, and Santa Cruz. ^Ir. ScAvard personallv in- formed General Eaaslof that the representative of the United States in Denmark Avould. for a time, have charge of the affair; also that the United States Avas not pressed for an -ansAver. A few days after General Eaaslof left America, and soon after his arrival at Copen- hagen he Avas ap]:)ointed minister of Avar, and, in the work of reor- ganizing the Danish arniA', lost sight of affairs in America. (^ount Frijs, the Danish minister for foreign affairs. Avho conse- (luently noAv had charge of the negotiations. Avas in favor of the sale, but still the affair dragged until January 19. 1807. Avhen ]Mr. Yeaman. United St;ites minister at Cojienhagen. received the following tele- gram fi-om jNIr. ScAvard : "Tel] Eaaslof haste important." HoAveA'er. nothing Avas done for tAvo months. Denmark felt a good deal of hesi- tation, oAving to the uncertainty of the treaty being ratified by the Senate, but she became more assured by the absence of opposition in the Ignited States to the purchase scheme and by the speedy ratifi- cation of the Alaska jiurchase treaty. Nevertheless, at the end of tAvo months ]\Ir. SeAvard telegrajJied again to Mr. Yeaman. "Want yea or nay now." ^Ir. Yeaman at once counnunicated Avith General Eaaslof. but it Avas not until the ITtli of jNIay. 1807. that Comit Frijs made a counter proposition to Mr. ScAvard's note. Through tlie me- dium of Mr. Yeaman. he declined on behalf of Denmark the offer of $5,000,000 and offered the islands for $15,000,000, or St. Thomas and CESSIOX OF DAXISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST IXDIES. 13 St. John for $10,000,000. with the option of taking Santa Cruz for $5,000,000 more. Count Frijs exphiined that tlie ratification of tlie treaty of cession by the Eigsdag would be necessary, and tliat tlie Danish Government would recjuire that the consent of the people of the islands should be freely and fornuilly given. In ten days ^Ir. Yeaman was in receipt of ^Ir. Seward's answer to this proposition, which was in substance this: "" The United States will paj^ for the three islands ^T.oOO.OOO in gold."' Mr. Seward objected, however, to the condition that the con- sent of the inhabitants of the islands was necessary, and thought it sufficient that they should have the free choice of leaving the islands within two years or remaining and becoming American citizens. Mr. Yeaman immediatel}' communicated these instructions to the Danish minister for foreign affairs, who promised an early answer. This answer was given in a month, in an interview between Count Frijs and Mr. Yeaman. ]Mr. Seward's second offer was refused and a counter proposition made. This was that Denmark would cede the islands for $11.2.50,000, or 20,000,000 Danish rix dollars, or St. Thomas and St. John for $7,500,000, and Santa Crux at option for $3,750,000. Count Frijs further declared that taking a vote of the people of the islands before the cession was absolutely indispensable, Mr. Seward's second offer being thus formally rejected by the Danish Government, Mr. Yeaman now informed Count Frijs that his instructions obliged him to announce that the offer of the United States was withdrawn and the negotiations ended. Nevertheless, on July 6, 18G7. Mr. Seward telegraphed to Mr. Adams in London : "Tell Yeaman close with Denmark's offer. St. John, St. Thomas, seven and one-half millions. Report brief by cable. Send treaty ratified immediately." Still the negotiations lagged. Mr. Seward was strongly opposed to the vote by the islanders, but the Danish Govern- ment was firm on this point, and he finally cabled to jNIr. Yeaman : •• Concede question of vote." On the 21th of October. 1867, the treaty was finally signed by the Danish minister and by ]Mr. Yeaman on behalf of the United States. There remained the vote of the islanders. Mr. Carstensen was sent as Danish commissioner to take the vote, and Mr. Seward dispatched Dr. Hawley to the islands to attend to American interests. He ar- rived at St. Thomas on the 12th of November, 1807: on the 18th of Xovember, Ijefore the vote was taken, there occurred a terrible earth- quake, which did much damage to the island, and affairs came tempo- rarily to a standstill. They were resumed on November 26, and on January 9, 1868, the vote was taken in St. Thomas, and on the follow- ing day in St. John. In the larger island there were cast 1,039 votes for the cession and only 22 against it, and in the smaller 205 votes for and none against. There were fears in Denmark that the United States would not ratify even after Denmark was fully committedo but Mr. Seward calmed these fears with renewed assurances of suc- cess, and after some hesitation the treaty was ratified by the Rigsdag and signed by the King on January 3i, 1868. This ratification oc- curred in the midst of the fierce political w\ar between President Johnson and. Congress. The limit of time named in the treaty for ratification was February 24, 1868, and this went by without action by Congress. The time'was then extended to October 11, 1868. AIL 14 CESSION OF DAXISH ISLAXDS IX THE WEST IXDIES. hoAvevei*. was useless. Denmark made repeated endeavors, in the person of her minister and through the medium of other poAvers. to conchide the negotiations, but in vain. The treaty fell a victim to the storm of political hatred then raging in this country, and in the ses- sion of 1868. after an adverse report, the United States Senate dropped it. In Schuyler's American Diplomacy, page 23, we find the following comment : Denmark had no parTicul:ir desire to sell to the United Stiites, but was per- suaded to do so. The inhabitants of the islands had alrea.dy voted to accept the United States as their sovereign. The late Mr. Clnuies Sunnier, then chairman of the Committee on Forei.tin Relations of the Senate, who was engaged in a personal quarrel with the administration, simply refused to report l)ack the treaty to the Senate, and he was supported by a sufficient mmilier of his com- mittee and of Senators to enable the matter to l)e left in this position. It re- quired new negotiation.s to prolong the term of ratitication, and it was with great difficulty that in a subsequent session the treaty was finally bre will- ing to cede those islands to the United States, and indicated that he would be willing to do so upon the terms then agreed upon, etc., and it was suggested that the treaty could be revived, etc. I replied that while I had no authority from my Government to make any declaration whatsf)ever in regard to the matter, I should feel it to be my duty, if informed that the Danish Government were willing to give the matter favoralile consideration, to so report to my Government. I then explained the condition of affairs at Washington incident to the coming change of Administration, and said that it was scarcely probable, however the matter might be regarded, that there could be any action at pres- ent, etc., but added that there seemed to be a growing feeling in the United States that we require a naval, coaling, and supply station in the West Indies, etc. The conversation was quite extended, the minister giving me his views at length, the substance of which was that while these islands would be of inesti- mable value to the United States, it would be lietter for Denmark to cede them on the terms of the convention of 1867, etc. I left him, substantially agreeing with him in this view of tlie matter, but declaring that I had no authority to make any proposals, nor even suggestions, and that I shovild not feel it to be my duty "to give the matter attention unless it should appear that the Danish Government was disposed to give the matter favorable consideration, in which case I should feel it to be my duty to inform my Government of such disposi- tion, etc. On Tuesday, the 22d instant, a week after this conversation, Mr. Estrup called at my house to say tliat he had been considering the matter since our interview, and had spoken at length concerning it with Baron Reedtz-Thott, the minister of foreign affairs, who v.-as of the same opinion as himself, and that he, Baron Reedtz-Thott. would speak with me about it. etc. On the same afternoon, upon my calling at the foreign office, the matter was brought up and Baron Reedtz-Thott expressed himself as equally ready to receive with favorable consideration a proposal from our Government to revive the 16 CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. treaty, etc. I repeated to liim wliat I had said to the preiuier as rejiarded the present Administration, and that I liad no antliority to make any proposal nor suguestion, etc., he declarinji that lie Ivnew this perfectly well, that Mr. Estrnj) and lie had tallied this all over, but tliat they coiild see no harm in me and my Government l)einii- ai)i>rised contldentially of their views, etc. I then said tliat I sliould feel it to l)e my duty to communicate tliese views confiden- tially to you. etc. About an hour after I left the minister of foreign affairs, he called upon me at my luaise and said that he had been reflecting uiion the matter and had con- cluded that it was his duty, before authorizing me to make any statement to my Government, to lay it I)efore His IMajesty the King, which he could do in a anes would like to make, to only one of which I will refer. In the otherwi.se beautiful city of Copeidiagen the most conspictious and un- sightly object is the ruined palace of Christiansltorg. whose grim and blackened walls have stood since 1884, when the great edifice was burned. It has been tlie abode of royalty, contained the assembly chambers of their legislative bodies, great galleries of art. and all that went to make iq) and embellish this magnifi- cent building, which was i-eally the capitol of Denmark. The entrances to the great palace were sentineled by colossal statues, masterpieces of Thorwaldsen, wonders of art. which fortunately were uninjured and are still standing in all their si)lendor, in striking contrast with tlie grim and somber ruin they were created to adorn. From every quarter of the city one may see Christiansborg. which, though in ruins, in grandeur and sublinnty still surpass every other object. Everywhere in Copenhagen, and even in the cotnitry. one is reminded of the ruins of the great i)alace. In .several of the galleries of art one sees ex- quisite pictures, creations of the great masters, which were torn from their frames while the iialace was burning. Surrounding the ruined palace, adjoining the courtyanl, are the Tliorwaldsen Museum, the Old North Museum, the great library containing OOO.OOO volumes, and the departments of state, all i>f which were saved from destruction. It was in one of these buildings, an annex to the ruined palace, the department of finance, where I first spoke with Mr. Estrup on this question, and from this point of view it did not .seem strange to me thiin ;i finance minister of this King- dom should be willing and should regard it as the part of wisdom to obtain the means of restoring his cajdtal and to make other public inqirovements through the cession of territory thousands of miles distant, whose ]ieoiile have voted with almost perfect unanimity and still wish to cast theii- lot with the people of the hemisphere to which they belong and with whoui they -aw allied in lan- guage and in trade relations. I need not recall the argument upon the treaty of a quarter of a century ago, but it is proper that .something be said about the harbor of St. Thomas and the conditions that now present themselves. It is almost circular in form, the en- trance to which is by a neck guardxHi by two heavy forts, and ( ai»able of accom- modating .")()(» vessels. The island. 18 miles long by an average of 3 miles wide, has been justly designated as a small Gibraltar. It is asserted by the highest authority that it can at small expense be made impregnable. CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 17 Unlike the mole of St. Nicholas, where a large amount would have to be ex- pended to erect suitable wharves and other necessary improvements and to defend them against dangers from a capricious government, St. Thomas has already, through private enterprise, her great wharves, upon which thousands of tons of coal are deposited, an enormous tloating dock capable of receiving vessels of 3,000 tons, marine slips for repairing small vessels, immense cisterns for the storage of water for the supply of vessels, a factory where every kind of iron- work for the repair of vessels can be turned out, including boilers, shafts, etc. The representatives of every industry and trade relating to the building and supply and navigation of ships — ship brokers, ship carpenters and calkers, iron founders, coal dealers, and others — can supply every demand of commerce. There are wharves alongside of which ships drawing 27 feet of water can be moored and coaled, day or night, at the rate of from 60 to 100 tons per hour. It is asserted and believed that the necessary defenses and the furnishing and equipping any other naval station in the West Indies, which nature and enter- Iirise Iiave already supplied to St. Thomas, if this were possible, would cost much more than the sum fixed upon in 1867 as a consideration for the cession of the islands of St. Thomas and St. John to the United States. These Danish Islands, with the splendid harbor of St. Thomas, presenting all we can possibly desire for a naval and supply station — location, security, am- plitude, development — everything is within our reach iipon terms which were regarded as reasonable ^^■hen far less important or valuable to us. The vast increase of steam navigation necessitating supply stations for coal and ma- chinery, the expansion of our commerce, the building up of our splendid new Navy, the prospect of a ship canal across the isthmus, which will make St. Thomas one of the most important stations upon voyages around and to most of the countries of the world, all these considerations and many more combine to make the possession of this harbor of far more importance to us than when the question of its acquisition was under consideration a quarter of a cen- tury ago. I therefore feel it to be my imperative duty to apprise you of the views of the Danish authorities in regard to this important matter, and at the same time to ventui'e to declare as my deliberate opinion that we should avail ourselves of the opportunity which now presents itself to acquire this haven and stronghold for oiu- commerce and ships of war, and to express the hope that this Adminis- tration, if it can do no more, will take measures to open the way to so desirable a consummation. I have, etc., Clark E. Carr. Hon. John W. Foster, Secretary of State, Washiufffon, D. C. Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, November 29, 1892. Dear Mr. Secretary : I send you to-day a confidential dispatch. No. 129, on the Danish West Indies, by which you will see that, without connnitting myself or the Government in the least, I have learned that we can have St. Thomas and St. John on the terms agreed upon in 1867. I believe that we must have a station in that region, and that it will be found that this is the best one available, and that it will be sought for on our part soon, and that this Administration should take the initiative. This can now be done if desired, but should the President not be inclined to do so, we are not, as you will see, committed in the least. It seems to me that it would be wise for the President to take up the matter of securing such a station in his message to Congress, but of course I would not presume to advise him. There are certainly many reasons why we had better have such a splendid harbor and own the whole islands inhabited by a people who really desire to cast their lot with us, and who will become loyal, patriotic Americans, than to have a station situated among a people of a dif- ferent nationality. Whatever may be thought of the matter, I hope that you will so instruct me that I may be able to show Mr. Estrup and Baron Reedtz-Thott that you are not indifferent to their feelings in the matter, and that you appreciate the sug- gestions they have confidentially made in our private unoflScial interviews. They will not be disappointed if you simply say that the matter can not be 53497—16 2 18 CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. taken up so late in the Administration, as I have informed them that this will probably be the case, but you know far better than I what is best. You are only, of course, suppttsed to be confidentially informed that it will receive favorable consideration. * * * Claek E. Carr. Gen, John W. Foster. [Confidential.] Department of State, WasJiiuf/ton. December 20, 1892. Sir: I have to acknowledije the receipt of your confidential dispatch No. 129, of November 28. 1892. with reference to the willingness evinced by the Danish Government to cede to the United States the islands of St. Thomas and St. John on the basis of the convention of 1867. I take pleasure in commending the skill and tact with which you- have re- ceived the approach of the Danish Government on the subject, and while ascer- taining the disposition of the Danish Government have in no way committed the Government of the United States. The question of the acquisition of the islands is one of far-reaching and na- tional importance, the extent of which is appreciated by no one more than the President. As his administration is. however, drawing to its close, he considers it inadvisable to express any views or indicate any policy the consummation of which he could not effect. He directs me to express his cordial appreciation of the friendly attitude of the Danish Government and of the confidence and frankness displayed by Mr. Estrup and Baron Reedtz-Tliott in their conversations with you. You are therefore instructed to convey verbally to these gentlemen the senti- ments of the President, and to explain the reasons, if they are not clearly ap- l)rehended, why the present consideration of the cession of the islands of St. Thomas and St. John is impracticable. I am. etc.. John W. Foster. Clark E. Carr, Esq., Coi)cnha(/en. [Telegram.] Department of State. Wnshinffton, December 31, 1892. Carr, Minister. Copcnhngcri: Take no action on instruction No. 128 for present. Foster. [Telegram.] Department of State. Wdshinnton, Februarii ',, 1S93. Carr, IVIlnister. CopenluKjcn: You can execute instruction No. 128 at convenient oi^portunity. Foster. Legation of the United States, CopcnhcKjen, January 2, 1893. Sir: On Saturday night, the 31st ultimo. I received from you a telegram as follows : "Carr. minister: Take no action on instruction No. 128 for present. Foster." On this morning came in the mail your confidential dispatch No. 128. As I understand the telegram, it is my duty to say nothing more concerning the matter until I receive further advices from the Department. Should it still be under consitU'ration. it is no doubt better to wait, lint I hope in the near future to l>e amliorized to make some recognition on the part of our Government of the suggestions of the Danish authorities. I have. etc.. Clark E. Carr. Hon. John W. Fo.ster, Secretary of State, Wastiinyton, D. C. CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES, 19 IContidential.] Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, Fehruarii 22, 1893. Sir : Referring to my confidential dispatch No. 129, to your confidential dis- patch No. 128, and to your two dispatches 129 and 134. and to my 132, regard- ing the contidential information that the United States can now, if desired, acquire tlie islands of St. Thomas and St. John upon the terms designated in the convention of 1867 between the United States and Denmark, I have to say that as soon as opportunity offered after receiving your second telegram I spoke with Mr. Estrup and Baron Reedtz-Thott, giving them the views of the President as you instructed me to do. Tliey were not surprised at this, as I had previously given them to under- stand tliat it was im]U'ohalile that tlie I'resident would take the matter up when his Administration was so near its close. Each, however, spoke of tlie pending negotiations regarding Hawaii, and suggested that perhaps they may have had some inlluence in tlie matter, and reference was made to a statement that has appeared in the newspapers that we are looking to the acquisition of Samana Bay, etc., and that this may perhaps influence our Government unfavorably in regard to St. Thomas, etc. Of course I could express no opinion in regard to this, but it seemed to them, as it appears to me, that with a canal across the Isthmus tlie acquisition of Hawaii makes it even more important that we should have a station in the West Indies, Of course any action will depend on the views of the incoming Administra- tion. Should it be regarded as wortliy of further consideration, wliile it would lie a great satisfaction to me to be permitted to pursue a matter to which I liav'e given some considerable thought, it will be a pleasure to me as well as my duty to aid my successor in office in every way in my power to attain the end that m^y seem desiralde. It seems to be the opinion of all those who are informed as to the needs of our new Navy and of our growing commerce that the time has arrived when we require a naval station in the West Indies. For such a station, in location, accessibility, amplitude, and natural strength, the harbor of St. Thomas pre- sents far greater advantages than any other that is available. WMth its natural advantages it can be made impregnable, and it is" my delib- erate opinion that witli these advantages, and its wharves and docks and build- ings and machinery already established by private enterprise, the acquisition of this splendid harbor upon the terms suggested, and its equipment, would in the end lie far less expensive than that of any other in that region. I have, etc., Clark E. Carr. Hon. John W. Foster. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, January IJf, 1896. Sir: Several New York newspapers, of dates about the 1st instant, arrived here yesterday and created consideralile interest by, certain contents to the effect that Denmark was offering, through Mr. Henrick Cavling, a newspaper editor of this city, but now in Washington, to sell to the United States the West India Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John ; and intimating that if the United States did not buy them Germany would probably do so. Some newspaper reporters called at tliis legation and asked to lie informed whether any such negotiations were pending. Of course I declined to say anything whatever on the subject. During the day I had an entirely informal conversation with :\Ir. Vedel, the director-general "of the ministry of f<;>reign affairs, in which he exhibited to me copies of the articles in question, wliich he said had been sent to him by one of the city newspapers with a request for information; but he said he would siiv nothing about it to the press. To me he said, however, that Mr. Cavling \as a self-appOinted agent and had no authority nor instigation from the for- ■igu ofhce, nor was there any negotiation whatever pending between Denmark i.i;(l Germanv for the sale or transfer of the islands.. Thinking that in the changed condition of affairs it might be or might become desirable for the United States to reopen the negotiation for the purchase of 20 CESSION OF DAXISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST IXDIES. the islands, I said that, while I had no instruction whatever on the subject from my Government, I would personally be glad to be informed whether Den- mark was inclined to reopen the matter. lie replied that certainly Den- mark, having met with a disastrous failure in the effort of 1S68, could liot pro- pose to reopen it ; but if the United States should choose to do so. he was of opinion that his Government would be inclined to sell them, though he was personally opposed to it. I am aware of the action taken by the Department and my predecessor in the early months of 1893, but the subject was dropped then because of the approaching close of the Administration of President Harrison. It is wholly unnecessary for me to discuss the value of these islands to the United States. It is quite apparent that in certain contingencies they might be very useful, but whether on the whole it would be wise to purchase them I do not presume to express an opinion. All I desire to say is that if our Gov- ernment shall wish to take up the matter I believe it can be brought to a more speedy conclusion and with more secrecy and safety by carrying on the nego- tiation here rather than in Washington. I have, etc., John E. Risley. Hon. Richard Olney, Secretary of State, Washinffton. D. C. Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, January 18, 1896. Sir : I liave the hunm- to report that early this afternoon Baron Zytphen- Adler. from the Danish foreign office, called at this legation and said the minis- ter would be nuich obliged if I would call at the ministry at 3.30 o'clock. On complying with the request, the minister told me he had received two cable- grams from Mr. Brun, Danish minister at Washington, in regard to the sale of the Danish West India Islands. The tirst. received yesterday, was to the effect that Mr. Brtui had a conversa- tion with yourself, which his excellency said he did not clearly understand and had awaited further advices ; the second came to-day and was to the effect that a resolution on the subject had been offered in the Senate. There was no explanation of the character of the resolution, nor was the name given of the Senator who offered it. The minister said he wished me to clearly understand that no one had been authorized to oft"er the islands for sale to any power whatever, nor Avoidd they be offered for sale. The minister continued, however, to say that if the United States should make an offer for them he could assure me that it would be fairly considered ; that the great publicity given to the subject would no doubt increase the difficulties here and make it more difficult to carry the matter < through to success ; and there might possibly be an objection from France as to the island of St. Croix, from whom it was acquired some two lumdred years ago. He thought not, but deemed it right to mention the possibility, as it was better to have everything as clearly understood as possible before proceeding further. The foregoing is tlie subst;tnce of what his excellency said. I replied that I understood the position of the Danish Government to be that they would make no offer, but that if an offer should be made by the Government of the United States it would be considered in a friendly spirit, and I informed him I had already written to you to that effect, substantially, on the strength of an in- formal conversation had with Mr. Vedel. the director-general. The impression made on my mind is that tlie minister will gladly welcome an offer from the United States. Though not a word was said on the subject in this connection. I think the condition of political parties here would make it rather desirable to the ministry to carry to a s]ieedy success such a negotiation. Awaiting any instructions you may have to give, I have, etc., John E. Risley. Hon. Richard Olney. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. o 54 W ^^<^' ♦ .'V -V^. ^0^ '^V^^\ >^iv;:.^^- ' .^"^^^ ^^^^■5' .*% n.^^ i>^^ ^ % %.*" ..^^X • ■ " vs^ .^^ %<^ ■^^,r "w* .<#^% 0^ kIV*. 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