File No. 711.5914/95
Minister Egan to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 15, 1916, 2 p.m.
303. Your 146, August 11, 4. p.m. Saw Andersen the responsible representative of the West India Company and of the East Asiatic Company in the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at [Page 655] eleven forty-five this morning. Mr. Andersen asserts that the concession lapsed and became a grant for commercial purposes to his corporation without monopoly or promise of monopoly as will be seen by the documents from the Minister of Finance who has jurisdiction over the islands. Substance of these documents will be cabled. When the concession was made, no time was mentioned; there was a verbal understanding that no competition should be encouraged. Mr. Andersen who is really the most influential man in Denmark adds that his company will be as greatly pleased to continue the work under the laws of the United States as under those of Denmark.