Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 4, 1917

File No. 711.5914/44

The Secretary of State to Minister Egan

[Telegram]

Department of State,
Washington, January 10, 1916, 3 p.m.

67. Your 203, December 24, 4 p.m., and 207, January 8, 4 p.m. Please inform Foreign Office that, in view of Denmark’s willingness to part with her ancient possessions in the West Indies, and, with a desire for an early and friendly conclusion of the negotiations, this Government would consider an offer of the sale of the Danish West Indies for the sum of twenty-five million dollars, although not agreeing to pay that amount, which seems excessive.

Lansing