Minister Swenson to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, March 22, 1902.
Sir: Referring to my No. 246, of the 5th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the Folkething gave its formal consent on the 14th instant to the ratification, without amendment, of the treaty for the cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 88 yeas against 7 nays. Six members abstained from voting, and twelve were absent. This decision had practically been reached in the three secret sessions which had been held previous to the discussion of the treaty in the open, or public, sessions, of which there were two. In the former, eighteen or nineteen members recommended that action on the ratification of the treaty be deferred until the wishes of the inhabitants of the islands respecting the proposed transfer had been ascertained by a plebiscite.
They were prevailed upon, however, to yield on this point; hence the final vote on the question of ratification was a direct one, with [Page 522] no conditions attached. The arguments advanced by the opponents of the sale were the same as those mentioned in my previous communications to you on this subject.
The treaty is now before the Landsthing, which will follow the same procedure in discussing it as that adopted by the Folkething; that is, it will first be dealt with in one or more secret sessions, and then be disposed of after two public sessions.
The first meeting has been set for Tuesday, the 25th instant. This body has asked for copies of all communications relating to the negotiations between the United States and Denmark on this subject.
No definite action will be taken on the question of ratification before the Easter recess of the Rigsdag. It is expected, however, that the matter will come to a vote the first or second week in April. — I am in constant personal communication with leading members of the Landsthing, keeping well informed of what is going on. I am still satisfied that a majority of that branch favors ratifications; but no one seems able to tell to a certainty whether a plebiscite will be insisted on or not. Strange to say, the opponents of the cession are again active. They held a secret meeting last Wednesday, which was attended by a large number of the most prominent business men of Copenhagen. There were ca. 400 persons present.
It was decided to concentrate all efforts towards inducing the Landsthing to reject the treaty. To make an impression, on practical minds, not given to sentimental considerations, the sum of 1,900,000 Kronen was subscribed for the purpose of organizing a plantation company and establishing a steamship line between Copenhagen and St. Thomas. There were three subscriptions of 100,000 Kronen each.
I have [etc.]