File No. 711. 5914/84
Minister Egan to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 10, 1916, noon.
293. Referring to the Legation’s No. 291, August 8, 6 p.m., following is summary of letters mentioned therein. Letter of October 2, 1912 from Ministry of Finance to the “Company to utilize through draining and deepening an area in St. Thomas Harbor,” stating that the Ministry had been informed by said company that the subscription for stocks in the Vestindiske Company having fallen short of the amount required for the granting of the concession, the company desires to proceed with the work without the concession. The company offers to undertake temporarily the erection of the first section of the harbor plant at Long Bay reserving the right to dispose of any area and dock so constructed. The Ministry hereby states that even if the concession is dropped it agrees to allow the company to drain and deepen the part of St. Thomas Harbor marked A on the map attached to concession of July 7 and which is outside of the area acquired by the company. Permission is also granted to the company to dispose freely of any area and dock it may erect.
Letter of October 11, 1912 from Ministry of Finance to the same company stating that in connection with their letter of October 2, 1912 they have been informed by the company in a letter of October 8, 1912 that it is the company’s intention to complete the previously contemplated plant and that permission is granted to the company to drain “ndaemme” those areas marked in red on the aforementioned concession map. These recovered areas shall be considered the property of the company which may dispose of them freely. Should such property be involved in a conflict with the interests of a private [Page 650] individual the question should be settled with party concerned. They can also dispose of docks erected as prescribed on map. The company can collect wharf dues which are fixed amounts. The company may erect tanks for liquid fuel subject to the requirements of the local authorities, pilot and harbor dues shall be paid to harbor’s cashier.
Letter of October 14, 1912 from Ministry of Finance to the same company acknowledging receipt of latter’s letter of October 12 and stating that Ministry is willing to transfer rights granted to the company through the Ministry’s letters of October 2 and October 11 to a limited company with administration at Copenhagen. Board of administration should be formed so that the greater part of the members are Danish citizens.
Letter of January 6, 1913, from Vestindiske Company to the Ministry of Finance requesting that the rights accorded to the “company to utilize through draining and deepening an area within the harbor of St. Thomas” by the Ministry’s letters of October 2 and October 11, 1912 be transferred to the stock company det Vestindiske Company resident at Copenhagen and the board of administration consisting entirely of Danish citizens. They request that all material imported for the work be exempt from duty.