File No. 711.5914/84
The Secretary of State to Minister Egan
Washington, August 11, 1916, 4 p.m.
146. Your 291, August 8th, and 293, August 9th. Department does not understand your statement that letters cabled are of no value, as concession has been annulled. Please obtain an official statement from the Danish Government that the rights granted by the letters of the Ministry of Finance of October 2, 1912, and October 11, 1912 were annulled by decree of January 31, 1913. It is understood that you will obtain the information requested in Department’s; 142 officially and in writing from the Foreign Office. Endeavor to obtain an expression of the views of the Danish Government as to period for which the West India Company is entitled to hold its concession. Also ascertain officially whether any promise was given that no other companies would receive concessions for privileges in St. Thomas Harbor, as intimated in the last paragraph of letter of April 16, 1913.