File No. 6093/–2
Minister O’Brien
to the Secretary of State
No. 173
American Legation,
Copenhagen,
May 29, 1907.
Sir: I beg to enclose herewith a copy of
my letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated January 15
last, and a translation of his reply dated the 28th instant. As I am
now leaving here, I thought perhaps the Department would be pleased
to have copies of this correspondence for future reference.
That I had no late instructions to bring up the subject was quite
true, and under the circumstances I preferred to be without them. I
had in mind that if nothing came of the matter, the United States
Government could not be charged with undue anxiety to make the
purchase.
The subject had been referred to between Count Raben-Levetzau and
myself on different occasions, and the letter which I wrote him was
the result of a mutual understanding. He has since made reference to
the delay by saying that the time was not opportune to press the
matter in the Ministry, and finally he gave me to understand that
public sentiment in the Upper House, he was quite sure, would not be
friendly to a sale.
Inasmuch as I was leaving, I asked him to reply so that the subject
might be closed.
The Danish people have renewed to some extent, their hope that these
islands may be in the near future, at least self-sustaining. Their
hopes are based on the idea that cotton raising will be found a
profitable enterprise.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1]
Minister O’Brien to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs
No. 91
American Legation,
Copenhagen,
January 15,
1907.
Excellency: Referring to our informal
conversation of two days ago, in respect to the Danish West
India Islands.
I recalled that three years ago, a large majority of the people
of Denmark seemed to favor a sale of the property to my
Government, and that while the treaty which was prepared in
obedience to that sentiment failed of ratification on the part
of your country, the reasons for this failure were perhaps no
longer prevailing; that the Congress of the United States was in
session, but must
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adjourn without day on March 4, next, not to again convene until
December 1 following. In case, therefore, it was the desire of
our respective Governments to again enter upon a negotiation in
respect to a possible sale, the time was ripe to do so.
Denmark has enjoyed the undisturbed ownership of these islands
for a great many years, yet the history of that period so far as
I can learn, has failed to indicate any special value to the
mother country—whether considered from a financial point of view
or otherwise. Like possessions, controlled by other nations,
have proved a great advantage by furnishing homes and prosperity
to certain of their adventurous citizens desiring to live
outside the domain of their fatherland. I understand that those
of your countrymen who have undertaken to utilize these islands
in a similar way have not been encouraged by the results. It is
doubtful, therefore, whether the soil, the climate, the markets
and other local conditions are suitable for such an enterprise.
I suppose it may also be conceded that these possessions are in
no sense a protection of your country’s commerce; and finally
that the chief reason for their further retention must be based
upon sentiment alone. Such a reason is highly commendable, and
yet when the history of your country’s ownership is one of
recurring deficits, where the islands are situated in a remote
locality, and in a long series of years have proved themselves
lacking in industrial and commercial value—it is easy to
understand that the people may weary of the ownership, and in a
time not far remote, even if not at the present, may wish to
realize their value in the form of an asset of greater practical
worth.
You are not unmindful of the disturbed conditions in Cuba,
resulting in the plain duty on the part of the Government of the
United States to interpose a certain control for the protection
of life and property in the interest of all concerned. This
control is now a subsisting thing, but what the future relations
may be cannot now be determined—indeed it is unlikely that the
time has yet arrived for adopting a settled policy. Nevertheless
you have no doubt witnessed with interest the agitation in both
countries touching a continuance of the authority now in force,
or possibly something even more far reaching.
Having in mind these possibilities, you will no doubt be led to
consider whether my Government in certain contingencies would
take any further interest in the ownership of the Danish
islands, or look upon them as a desirable possession. It is easy
to understand that if the occupation of Cuba should result in
permanency and your Government should then decide to sell, it
might be difficult to find a purchaser.
The proximity of these islands to the United States, and the
nearby market which my country would afford for whatever the
islands might produce, are sufficient reasons for considering an
ownership to be desirable—reasons which do not exist in the case
of your country. It has seemed to me, therefore, not only that a
purchase and sale would be to the advantage of both peoples, but
that the time is most opportune for carrying the transaction
into effect.
In closing, permit me to add that I am wholly without
instructions from my Government on this subject, and I am not
advised whether a purchase would now even be considered. What I
have said therefore, is upon my own initiative. In speaking of
the matter I have been tempted by the circumstance that the
failure of the late treaty being chargeable to your Government,
a certain embarrassment might exist on your part in respect to
again bringing forward the subject. I therefore regard it as
quite harmless to say that if the Danish Government again
desires to undertake negotiations, I shall find genuine pleasure
in making your wishes known.
Be pleased [etc.]
[Inclosure 2—Translation]
The Minister of Foreign
Affairs to Minister O’Brien
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Copenhagen,
May 28, 1907.
Mr. Minister: By the note which I had
the honor to receive from you dated January 15th last, you have
called to my attention the conditions which in your judgment
militate in favor of a return to the negotiations for the
cession to the United States of the Danish Antilles, in case the
Government of the King and yours—as to which you have no
instructions—should desire to take that course.
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You have been good enough in the meantime to say that you will be
glad to send forward for consideration any suggestions which the
Danish Government may wish brought to the attention of the
Government of the United States.
As you have expressed a desire to have at this time an answer in
writing, I have the honor to inform you that the Government of
the King under existing circumstances, has no intention to again
bring up the question referred to in your note.
I take [etc.]
