File No. 711.5914/80a
The Acting Secretary of State to Consul Payne
Washington, August 5, 1916, 2 p.m.
Please make thorough investigation and submit report at earliest moment on character and extent of each monopoly in the Danish West Indies except such as arise directly from concession by decrees [Page 645] of Danish Government. Indicate whether monoplies arise from exclusive charters granted under a general incorporation act. This information is desired for use in connection with the treaty recently signed ceding islands to the United States.
Department is informed that there are monopolies in various lines of business, such as drug, meat and bread businesses, and that practically all of the water front which could be used for a naval station, is owned or leased by large German steamship companies. Telegraph brief summary of report.