Immediately on receipt of your cablegram, I communicated it to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs. You will find enclosed herewith a copy of
my note of transmission.
In a personal interview which I had with Mr. Deuntzer, he expressed his
satisfaction with your reply to his inquiry, which he considered clear
and complete. He assured me that no further obstacle to signing the
treaty existed; and that full power would be cabled Mr. Brun as soon as
the King’s formal sanction had been obtained; the necessary formalities
for which would be observed with the greatest possible dispatch. The
petition for plebiscite, spoken of in my No. 239, of the 15th instant,
has now been presented to the King, the Premier, and the presiding
officers of the two houses of the Rigsdad.
My opinion is that it will have but little effect. The fanning that
caused the patriotic flames to burn so high in certain quarters a month
ago has almost ceased.
[Inclosure]
Minister Swenson
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
American Legation,
Copenhagen,
January 16, 1902.
Excellency: I have the honor to
communicate to your excellency a cablegram which I received this
morning from the Secretary of State and which deciphered reads as
follows: [Quotes telegram of January 15, 1902.]
The above message clearly defines the attitude of my Government on
the question of an eventual plebiscite, independent of treaty
stipulations, adopted by
[Page 513]
the proper authorities in Denmark as part of the procedure in acting
on the ratification of the treaty, when it shall be submitted for
the required sanction. This matter is thus eliminated from the
discussion; as it lies wholly within the sphere of Danish
jurisdiction and prerogative, upon which the United States
Government has neither the competence nor the inclination to
encroach.
Now that the last cause of delay has been removed, I earnestly hope
that the necessary formalities for executing a full power to sign
the treaty will be completed with the greatest convenient celerity,
in order that Mr. Brun may be cabled authority to affix his
signature as soon as possible.
It is gratifying that the protracted negotiations for the cession of
the Danish West Indies have come to a successful termination—a fact
I now take for granted.
The negotiations which have been conducted in the friendliest spirit,
have been marked by a frankness and singleness of purpose that has
made the exchanges of views and proposals on the subject in question
most agreeable; and, if possible, drawn the two countries closer
together than ever.
This is cause for gratification, and is, I assure your excellency,
highly appreciated by my Government.
I gladly avail myself of the opportunity to give expression to the
feeling of personal pleasure and satisfaction I have derived from my
connection with this work.
Your excellency, as well as your predecessors and Director General
Krag have made my task one of enjoyment by the courteous manner in
which you have discussed our differences, and the frankness and
friendliness with which you have met me. For all of which, I beg you
to accept my sincere thanks.
I trust that neither of the signatory parties will ever have cause to
regret the transfer of the three little pearls in the western
seas.
The situation of the islands, the character of their inhabitants, and
their commercial interests point to a bright future for them under
the American flag.
The benevolent colonial policy as well as the traditions of the
liberal Republic which is to control their destiny is a guarantee
that the best interest of the inhabitants will be safeguarded; and
that the blessings enjoyed by the people of the United States will
ere long gladden the homes of this handful of people.
Be pleased to accept [etc.]
