( MN f Wy if | Le, i 1 | Mi | \ M) | j ‘ | head (| 1 § te EGO An Historical F; ic ‘cunt of the Purchase « Transfer of the Danis 8 est Indies b EAR 9 De A detailed account of the Transfer is presented in this booklet to provide teachers with reference material on this significant event in Virgin Islands History. In addition, an extensive supplement has been included with the text. This material is not readily available to the classroom teacher. Therefore, it is included here in the hope that teachers will find it valuable not only in teach- ing about the Transfer, but also other related areas. It should be used as a reference throughout the school year. The complete text of three treaties have been included because of the wealth of indoaeticn which they provide on the Transfer and other. related historical events. The newspaper accounts of the ceremonies, and the music in- cluded, provide excellent material for developing creative plays and other language arts activities. This is another work in a series of instructional materials prepared under the auspices of Project Introspec- tion, ESEA Title III. March 14, 1969 Booklet No. 9 PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GOVERWIEIT OF THE U.S, VIR6I! ISLAM PREPARED By ESEA Titve_IIl PROJECT INTROSPECTION: FOR Use In Qu PUBLIC AND {JONPROF HT PRIVATE ‘ SCHOOLS IN THE VERGIN ISLANDS (iA wey a N FF ZZ — ‘a = —<-— 4 ny 2 L— As Ae mE x Ly it! ———— 4 —p 1 — ro a uw P. ea \ ae ed ——T1 A BE +f =. yyy ip ‘ity ae ur ——— "uy Jy ins a ———> — q___ UTE U.S. Merchant Ships - the Mainstay of Commerce in the Danish West Indies. AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES Introduction The Danish West Indies constituted the entire extent of Denmark's territorial claims in the Caribbean. The Danish territory was limited to St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, together with all adjacent islets and rocks. The first permanent Danish Colony was founded on St. Thomas in 1665. St. John was made a part of the Danish West Indies in 1717 in defiance of all British claims to that island, It was not until 1733 that St. Croix became a part of the Danish West Indies when it was purchased from France for 750,000 livres, The three islands gained the status of Danish Crown Colonies in 1775 when the Danish West India Company sold its rights in the three islands to the King of Denmark, It is interesting to note that the three islands were not bound together politically until the middle of the 18th Century. These islands, the Danish West Indies, later came to be known as the "Virgin Islands of the United States of America" at the time of the Transfer. The islands are now an unincorporated territory of the United States of America and the people are citizens of the United States. The capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. A proposal for the purchase of the Danish West Indies was first tendered by the United States in 1865. The formal transfer of the islands was the culmination of a series of diplomatic episodes a ae which took place between the two nations throughout a fifty-two year period. The following account will treat the factors rela- ted to American interest in the islands, their attempts to pur- chase the islands, and the formal transfer of the islands to the United States. American Interest Dates Back to Pre-Rnevolutionary War Days Trade between the Danish West Indies and the American Colo- nies was probably the beginning of American territorial interest in these islands. Mr. J. Antonio Jarvis records that: "Even be- fore the Revolutionary War, the people of the Colonies of Massachu- setts and Virginia were very much interested in the Danish West Indian Islands. A great deal of trading had taken place between the mainland and the islands, and many merchants in New England were dealers in the sugar and rum which the islands exported. Some even settled in St. croix." Commerce in the Danish West Indies during the 19th Century was predominantly with American firms. As the years went by, a close relationship developed between the people of the islands and the United States, a relationship which has lasted up to the pre- sent time. This relationship was nurtured by common commercial interests and other considerations. As the United States grew into a maritime power and her trade expanded, the need arose for coaling stations and defense out- posts in the West Indies. This need became vital to her future de- velopment and survival. The islands had the potential for fulfill- ls, antonio Jarvis, Brief History of the Virgin Islands (st. Thomas: The Art Shop, 1938), p. 114. ing these needs, and therefore grew in significance in the scheme of: America's future expansion policies. Meanwhile, the Danish West Indies continued to thrive commerciall as a result of American tre7°. Acquisition of {slands Matter of Survival Certain events which took place during the Civil War ccn- vinced Official Washington of the need to secure territory in the West Indies. On April 19, 1861, President Lincoln declared a block- ade of the Confederacy. Great Britain, France and other maritime powers supported the Confederacy while closing their West Indian ports to Union fleets. It is said that Great Britain aided the Confederacy to such an extent that the South almost defeated the Union's fleets and raised the blockade. An excerpt from a report submitted to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations by G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, provides some evidence of British involvement in this phase of the War. Captain Fox reported that: "England menaces our coast with four strategic points - Hali- fax, Bermuda, Nassau, and Jamaica. At these stations were concentrated the munitions and supplies which encouraged the Rebels and afforded to them material aid. Owing to their proximity, British merchants were enabled to use for blockade purpose small light-draft steamers, well adapted for entering the numerous shallow harbors of the South at night. If these positions had belonged to the United States, or if there had been no English stations so close to us, larger steamers would have been necessary to attempt the blockade; such ves- sels must have had a greater draft of water, thereby restrict- ing their entrance to daylight and fewer ports. "That I do not exaggerate the importance of the naval stations of Great Britain on the coast of the United States is evident in remembering that, of fifteen hundred vessels and $32,000,000 - 4 - of property condemned prize to the Navy, nearly all be- longed to British merchants, and was captured passing between the English ports I have mentioned and our South- ern harbors. Excepting a naval force upon our rivers, and co-operating movements with the army, the navy of the United States, during the Rebellion, was shedding its blood and expanding the treasure of the country in efforts defensive against Great Britain."2 Russia gave moral support to the Union and neglected no opportunity to show the world the extent of her friendship in the darkest days of the struggle. Assistance also came from Denmark who had shown sympathy with the Union's cause from the very be- ginning. Without infringing upon her policy of neutrality, Den- mark afforded every possible advantage to the United States Navy in permitting access to the coaling and supply station in St. Thomas, and proved the fidelity of her friendship by prevent- ing the hoisting of the Confederate ensign in any Danish port. The unfriendly actions of the British government made a painful impression on President Lincoln, and led him to consider means of terminating the nation's dependence on foreign govern- ments for naval repairs and supplies of coal during war. One of his first acts in foreign relations was to authorize the commence- ment of negotiations for the purchase of the Danish West Indies. The aggressive activities of various European powers toward certain Caribbean Islands during this period also posed a threat to American supremacy in the Western Hemisphere. Spanish intrigues in Santo Domingo, and the establishment of Maximillan's empire in Mexico in 1864, were hemispheric crises which created a great deal 2sames Parton, The Danish Islands: Are We Bound in Honor To Pay For Them? (Boston, Mass: Osgood and Co., 1869), p.74. of insecurity among Americans, It was also feared that Prussian aggrandizement resulting from the 1864 War against Denmark might lead Austria to demand the Danish West Indies as compensation. The Navy Department played an important role in the selec- tion of the Danish West Indies as the best location for a fortified naval supply station in the Caribbean. Vice Admiral Porter advised President Lincoln and Secretary Seward of the strategic value of the islands. His survey established the fact that of the forty-five islands of importance in the West Indies, the Danish possessions of the Virgin group of the Antilles were peculiarly adapted to the pur- pose of anchorage and defense, He strongly advised the acquisition of the islands, Vice Admiral Porter's recommendations were in agree- ment with observations made by various naval officers, merchants, missionaries, and historians who had visited the islands. Negotiations for Purchase of Islands The United States first entered into negotiations with Denmark for the purchase of the islands on January 7, 1865, William Seward, Secretary of State in the Lincoln Cabinet, strongly advocated the purchase and made the first advances to Denmark through the Danish Minister, General Raasloff, Secretary Seward was committed to the principle of territorial expansion with a patriotic zeal, Some historians have referred to him as a proponent of Manifest Destiny. Prior to the commencement of negotiations, he had already formulated a Caribbean policy which ¢! \ ay i; ‘a | i] t \ 4. .\' We OPERAS <> ot. SS a — —J ss J Ang ore] <—<=-* - = a YS — — —=-. ——S —_— a” ee — . a —— SN Se ————— a” al SS —— — Pau => —~ — —— -sS SY. CROIKR Lincoln Pondering the Purchase of the Danish West Indies. included among other things, the acquisition of certain Caribbean Islands to serve as outposts for American defense. If matters had been left to Secretary Seward and the Navy Department, the United States would have been in possession of the islands in 1867; however, several developments were to obstruct favorable action that year. The Secretary of State had received President Lincoln's whole- hearted support in pursuing the purchase of the islands. This sup-- port abruptly came to an end with the President's assassination on the night of April 14, 1865. The Secretary and his son, Frederick, were also wounded by Lincoln's assassins. Under the circumstances, the negotiations were allowed to lapse for several months. During December 1865, Secretary Seward took a Caribbean cruise which he claimed to be of no political significance, but strictly "a quest for health," This trip confirmed his previous assumptions about the value of the islands to the nation's defense, and upon his re- turn he resumed negotiations with renewed interest and determination. His Caribbean trip stirred up a great deal of criticism from his own country men, who viewed it as an act of imperialism. The domestic problems of the nation during this period of Reconstruction preoccupied the minds of the majority of Americans; they were not readily disposed to Mr. Seward's policy. Opposition to the purchase began to grow at this point. Andrew Johnson's accession to the Presidency brought doubts and misgivings as to the future success of the negotiations autho- rized by his predecessor. For a time it seemed as if this apprehen- sion was groundless because President Johnson also favored the pur- - 7 - chase negotiations to acquire the islands. The circumstances of his impeachment, however, had disastrous effects on the final out- come of the negotiations. Treaty of October 24, 1867 The negotiations which had begun in January of 1865 did not come to an end until the signing of the Treaty of October 24, 1867. Both nations bargained hard and persistently, for each one stood to gain from the sale. Two very interesting terms emerged from this treaty: (1) that only the islands of St. Thomas and St. John would be purchased, and (2) that a plebiscite on the sale be held in the islands. Gruelling exchanges to establish a purchase agreement for the islands had lasted for more than a year, when on July 17, 1866, Secretary Seward made an offer of $5,000,000 in gold for the purchase of the islands of St. Thomas(and adjacent islets), St. Croix and St. John. The Danish Government rejected this offer and made a coun- ter proposition. They offered to cede all three islands to the United States for $15,000,000, or St. Thomas and St. John for $10,000,000 with the consent of the people. The United States submitted a modified proposition to Den- mark for the purchase of the three islands, making a firm offer of $7,500,000. The Danish Government declined this offer also, and countered with a proposal which gave the United States two distinct options: (1) to purchase St. Thomas and St. John for $7,500,000 or (2) to purchase only St. Croix for the sum of $3,750,000. Just at that stage in the negotiations an undisclosed condi- tion of sale was revealed by Count Frijs, the Danish Minister of Foreign affairs. He sent a dispatch from his government informing Mr. Seward that his government was willing to sell the three islands, but that the consent of France would have to be secured for the sale of St. Croix. He further stated that the reason for this condition of sale was that the Danish Government was obligated to offer the island of St. Croix to France before any other purchaser could be considered. The Danish Government took the position that if consent was withheld, they would keep the island rather than sell to France. The United States chose to purchase only St. Thomas and St. John for $7,500,000. After the price was agreed upon there remained one major obstacle to ending the negotiations. The United States was adamantly opposed to the inclusion of the terms for a plebiscite in the treaty. Denmark insisted upon securing the consent of the population as a necessary requirement for the execution of the sale. The Danish Government refused to yield on this point and the United States con- ceded to the popular vote. A treaty was finally signed by both na- tions on October 24, 1867, and the struggle for ratification began. By the time the treaty came up for ratification American interest in the purchase had declined. On November 25, 1867, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly against any further purchase of territory. President Johnson, however, still favored the treaty and continued to support it. By this time there was a great deal of skepticism develop- ing among supporters of the purchase due to recent developments in the islands. Three Epidemics struck St. Thomas late in 1866 and lasted for over three months, finally ending in January 1867. Hun- dreds of people died from yellow fever, smallpox, and cholera during this period. - 9 ay St. Thomas had not quite recuperated from the damaging con- sequences of these plagues, when a series of natural disasters fol- lowed. The island was hit by a severe hurricane on October 29, 1867, and one month later all three islands suffered the devastations of an earthquake and tidal wave. These were indeed grave times for the Danish West Indies. The plebiscite stipulated in the Treaty of 1867 was held on January 9, 1868, in St. Thomas, a time when the aftermath of the recent horrors were still evident and fresh in the minds of the peo~ ple. Danish West Indians welcomed the change of sovereignty. On St. Thomas the vote was 1,039 in favor of the sale and 22 aaainst. On the following day the balloting was held in St. John, where the vote was 205 in favor and none against. The Danes, encouraged by this response, acted promptly and on January 28, 1868, the treaty was approved by the Folksthing, the lower house of the Rigsdag. On January 30 the Landsthing, the up- per house, gave its approval and the treaty was signed by King Christian V on January 31, 1868. Denmark's swift action made no im- pression on the United States Senate where a policy of deliberate inactivity had prevailed. Secretary Seward had secured extensions of time as the period for ratification had lapsed, but opposition to the purchase effectively blocked action on the treaty. The impeachment proceedings of President Andrew Johnson fol- lowing closely behind the Danish ratification of the treaty did not help to improve the chances for ratification by the U.S. Senate. The trial began on March 13, 1868, and when it concluded in late May, the President was acquited. He had hoped that the Democrats would = 16: i= nominate him for President in 1868, but instead they choose the for- mer Governor of New York, Horatio Seymour who lost the election to General Ulysses S. Grant. The bitter political rivalries that de- veloped during this internal struggle caused the treaty to be shelved indefinitely. At that point it seemed evident that the treaty was doomed to defeat. On June 11, 1868, the people of St. Croix petitioned the Danish Government to include their island in the sale. Denmark had now been assured that France would not present any obstacles to the sale. She therefore urged the United States to reconsider opening parallel negotiations for the purchase of St. Croix. This move came at a time when the negotiations for the purchase of St. Thomas and St. John were in serious jeopardy of defeat by the Senate and Secretary Seward rejected the proposal. Circumstances made it im- possible for him to reverse his former position. With the change of administration in Washington during 1869, all hopes for ratification of the treaty came to an end. A major factor in the hostility towards the treaty was the feeling among many in official circles that this venture was one of Seward's schemes for colonial expansion and personal agrandisement. This hostility was not confined to the American Senate. President Grant, who succeeded President Andrew Johnscn, was not in favor of the pur- chase. He preferred to negotiate for the annexation of the Dominican Republic instead of purchasing the Danish West Indies. In the year 1870 the United States Government officially decided against pur- chasing the islands. Even though the treaty had been promptly ratified by both houses of the Danish Rigsdag, the United States Senate refused to ra~ - 11 - tify it. The United States handling of this treaty was interpreted as a breach of faith with Denmark and aroused the indignation of many citizens and foreigners. The people of the islands were left in a state of disillusionment and disappointment. Treaty of January 24, 1902 Several attempts were made to reopen negotiations on the sale of the islands during the period from 1870 to 1902, but these attempts were fruitless. Negotiations for the purchase of all three islands were reopened in 1900 by John Hay, Secretary of State under President McKinley which resulted in the signing of a treaty in Washington on January 24, 1902, The price was then set-at $5,060,000 in United States gold coins for all three islands. Secretary Hay had been more successful in gaining concessions from the Danish Govern- ment than Seward, but the Danes were not to be taken for granted. The strongest argument in favor of purchasing the islands at this time was the fear that they might be transferred to some European power unfriendly to the United States. There was in addi- tion, much more support from the American press and key officials in Washington than during the previous negotiations. The American Senate ratified this treaty on February 19, 1902, during President Theodore Rocaevclt's administration. The out- look for passage in the Danish Rigsdag seemed promising, but these hopes were deminished on Octobcr 22, 1902, when the treaty was de- feated in the Landsthing. Further negotiations on the sale were kept in abeyance until 1915. Treaty of August 4, 1916 The moment was now propitious for cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. Economic conditions ayes —. An] ny t tOR Co atl) : F | RENT (*h i) fi fit th ny t jnay cll | | ntl hi | | HAE! in : yi I i 4 > Se ——— World War I Brought About E D t the D h West Ind - 12 - in the Islands were critical and the situation was steadily growing worse. World War I had brought about economic disaster. Commer- cial houses were closed down and the estates on St. Croix were only in business because of the island's neutrality. The three islands had become a financial burden for Denmark, who could no longer afford the expense of administering to their needs, President Wilson and other officials regarded the German submarine campaign as a growing menace to the maintenance of the Monroe Doctrine, and hastened to reopen negotiations for the purchase of the Danish Islands. Many were convinced that the German political system and democracy were not compatible and that this system posed a threat to democracy. They believed that America's task was to save Democracy even if it meant going to war to prevent a German victory. The United States had to have the islands in the event of war against Germany. As the war progressed in Europe, there was widespread fear among Americans that Germany might establish bases on the islands. Denmark was not in a position to defend the islands against German conquest. Moreover, German occupation of the islands would have crippled American defense. Americans were cognizant of the strategic position of the islands in the Caribbean, They were, therefore, determined to secure them in order to establish naval bases for the protection of the Panama Canal. The United States was forced into a position that demanded the acquisition of the islands. A major segment of the American press favored the sale, and public interest was high. There was strong support for the sale in Denmark, and in the islands. Dr. Viggo Christensen and D. Hamilton Jackson represented the people of the islands at hearings in the Danish Parliament. They Y Bee — G Z 4 “— + a & a te Cyn” “aS q A Cn woo Y Cig Xl &; “ey OUTH % ws ER — Ye oe % = German Submarines Were a Menace to American Security During World War I. relayed the wishes of the people who had looked forward to the transfer as their only hope for the improvement of the economic con- ditions of the islands. The circumstances of the times were just right for the cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. On August 4, 1916, the Secretary of State, Robert Lansing, met with Danish Minister Constantine Brun to sign a treaty agreeing to the purchase of the Danish West Indies. -The ratifications of the treaty were formally exchanged in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 1917, ceding the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. On January 25th, President Wilson issued a proclamation setting forth the treaty and all its implications. The Danish authorities published His Majesty's (King Christian X) proclamation on March 9, 1917. Formal Transfer Ten weeks later, two impressive ceremonies marked the formal transfer of the islands. Zabriskie outlines the events of the formal transfer in these words: "The Danish West Indies were formally transferred to the United States of America at four o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, March 31, 1917, on payment, in the large dip- lomatic reception room of the Senate, War, and Navy Depart- ments building in Washington, of a Treasury warrant for $25,000,000 to Minister Constantine Brun of Denmark,. The warrant, representing twenty-five million dollars in gold, was taken to the State Department by Secretary of the Trea- sury William G. McAdoo, who smilingly explained to the Danish Minister that he brought the money in the form of a Treasury warrant because the actual gold coin would weigh nearly forty-eight tons. He then turned over the warrant to Secretary of State Robert Lansing, who handed it to Minister Brun. The latter presented to Mr. Lansing a for- mal receipt. "In the official group present at this epoch-making trans- action were Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, whose department will have general supervision over the new ter- ritory, Rear-Admiral James H. Oliver, who had just previously wo: 3S - been appointed to be Governor of the islands and who left for St. Thomas later on in the day, Minister Constantine Brun, Secretary of State Robert Lansing, and Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo. "Immediately after the warrant had been turned over to the Danish Envoy, Commander Edwin T. Pollock of the U.S.S. Hancock, at St. Thomas, was notified by cable and radio of that fact and advised to receive the islands in the name of the United States. At the same time a dispatch was flashed to acting Governor Henri Konow at St. Thomas informing him the purchase price had been received by Minister Brun, and that "all conditions for the definite transfer of the islands have been fulfilled." These two dispatches left Washington, D.C. over a special telegraph wire from the Navy Department. They were flashed to New York, where a transfer was made to the Porto Rican cable. Received in Porto Rico, the messages were wirelessed to the Hancock, at St. Thomas and rushed ashore. Only twenty minutes' time was required to send the message through. "After the receipt of the two messages at St. Thomas, the ceremonies were simple but extremely impressive." A _ New Era Dawns The Transfer Day ceremonies of March 31, 1917 officially coricluded a series of diplomatic episodes between Denmark and the United States for the purchase of the Danish West Indies. March 31 has since been set aside as a local holiday to commemorate the event. | On that day, over half a century ago, islanders experienced mixed emotions about the transfer. Even though they had longed for, and finally welcomed the change, many of the people cherished the memory of life under Danish rule. To this day, many senior citizens who lived in the islands during that era, relate their experiences with pride. They also express deep warmth and affection for the Danes. 2 vabriskie, Luther K., The Virgin Islands of the United States of America, (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1918) pp.294-295. Some who witnessed the Transfer Day ceremonies of March 31, 1917, voiced the concern that islanders might live to regret the change of sovereignty. As the Fifty-Second Anniversary of the Transfer approaches, Virgin Islanders have no reason for regrets. The formal transfer ushered in a new day of hope and opportunity for them, which far-exceeds the expectations of even the most astute politician of that day. The people have made phenomenal progress under American leadership. The islands have been transformed from the ravages of economic disaster into a dynamic center of economic development. The Virgin Islands of the United States of America, now has the highest income per capita in the Caribbean, Written by: Mavis HE. Donovan Brady Director, ESEA Title III *seuouL, *3S ‘AxeaqtT oOtTqng AsoezAnoD ‘66z°d (8161 “SUOS S,weUjNd “d°D :YAOK MON) voOLAauy fo 80303g pogrun ey; fo spupzsy urbu2r, ey *A TSuINT ‘aTyYSTAGeZ Worz oR0Yg OIPNAS Iurpautl) Aq yYyAIAdoD JHoUIUIaACD YsuBd a4} 0} 9383 Jo ArBjaIDag ay} y3nosy} preg 000'o00'Szg 103 wWiasey s,unig saisurp Sie gee PRA eHy SHPAS PP *1H.I° meezan sgerbrpy fo hyo J are Se « eez7 ry Mepmaqsloy do hs aonegeyyhg gorfizwr grew tepagcere pun paar sy a Ygmmot PYY UO CPI2ZUNCD PVE UDDALOY OBE | MO AtoZ uasHOD ey) bh * us ge Breen, AMO CLS PII MF hg ‘porymboy apeqey MeDIOI SS BOYy PY 20) Guemunasob hhavroeluay v apraorel oy 937 1, 92M a FS ’ . iP? 98 ve 261 YU yenen lela PRIA YON 4 é ‘ do ~norworpyys ys ‘DIGI “by gsvbiyy 10 g20fe, 4497.2 fo bysy 994) 9 Bre-s @ 2371114- ‘ai °. meow ‘2 ° Belo 16d t cy POUD IW EMJOYES PPM Ty PYF HM CPMOPE! WOMPIY FEIAL, YoseE es, O11 |e moresD. ayy zo} is Rates * gue SPLONE See baa TA) ba tei MOD > N 2B df VPrBO wr geet yoo ew qywernsn say, Jd JUPMHADE J Puyo, CaS poy Yo PHYA Jo araremszae[y ay fe sorpw bs ge aya fe grawediy garg me Sues Bmge SUF DIGI AS YP2PYS PIN YNS SITET PPMP HOME HemaWAS geaMGL, 216 Jotanswvary ayy io genes msl QQ OOS S deus Rp vette > A? P48 PANS Mde hanevory ai Je Ns eqorssy my worl gPssarr ny: TF at Cy an bs J Ce te anh ey Ay) (Fae te ok ay 1444 es) <8 & 7 TOR Fa od Bail 8 aE Dry - > Sih ON aad < 1% te. ry 2 ui 2 gf ~ sy pS S RE a oe we 7 By he o 4 am Aw PS an oe sei cyt ra3 2a ts am a bee eg C4 ee it an coe F al Taig er gn Sa a %) ae +. 4, Ss. v3 ‘A wig” = oo S on ecae nee 3s ary ae _— ae a A o RR mw baee +s HH fess — Ww as yer ae Bs) ca ° eats wien * POP nyc a % ea et cd ey ws Re my oY So be ae 3 a ‘it ‘ge i, te we ia wy be Bet es % ae, a} os 2) 1 Win 5 iS} nm Siena aaoese um BY "2 an Rg ea 5 “0 » = sd pag ee oun n vie -. Von &. ne ou tra La Ay: $t > Rv * en ‘a 2, me “J ey a 3 > mu +4 vn. Sate - a v0 2m, = Ey ow wh > Mp =O yee +2 oWd S= heed y <3 = og oe as a> ¥ Bes i cd 2 & Kong Christian stod ved bajen mast (King Christian stood by Lofty Mast). The text by Johannes Ewald (1743-81) occurs in the ballad opera Fiskerne (The Fishermen), 1780. The original ballad tune, set to Ewald’s poem by Johann E. Hartmann (1726-93), was simplified and popularized by Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832) when he composed the music of Elverhsj (Elf-Hill), the national opera, 1828. . Maestoso con brio (d.80) 2 > Der er et yndigt land (There is a Lovely Land). Danish patriotic song by Adam Gottlob Ochlenschliger (1779-1850), music by H. E. Kroyer (1798-1879); later settings by Thomas Laub (1852-1927) and Carl Nielsen (1865-1931). Regarded by many as the National Anthem. King Christian being considered the Royal Anthem. Moderato risoluto (4 . 92) Denmark: An Official Handbook (Christianborg Palace, Copenhagen: Press and information Department Of the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,. 1964), pp. 23-24. (Pronunciation Guide) Kong Kristian stood ved hoejen mast eeh rrog ow dam Hans vaere hamrede saw fast at Gothens helm ow jerne brast da sank vert fiendly speil ow mast eeh rrog ow damp Fluee skrye dee flue vad flucte can wo store for Danmarks Kristian wo store for Danmarks Kristian eeh camp? (Text) Kong Kristian stod ved hgjen Mast i R¢g og Damp; hans vaerge hamrede saa fast, at Gotens Hjelm og Hjerne brast, da sank hvert fjendtlig Spejl og Mast i Rgg og Damp. Fly skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan, hvo staar for Danmarks Kristian, hvo staar for Danmarks Kristian, I Kamp? Niels Juel gav agt paa Stormens Brag, nu er det Tid, han hejsede det rgéde Flag, og slog paa Fijenden Slag i Slag; da skreq de hgjt blandt Stormens Brag, nu er det Tid! Fly skreg de hver som ved et Skjul, hvo kan bestaa for Danmarks Juel hvo kan bestaa for Danmarks Juel i Strid? O Nordhav! Glimt af Vessel brgd den tykke Sky; da ty'de Kaemper til dit Sk¢d, thi med ham lyntee Skraek of Déd, fra Vallen hortes Vraal, som brgd den tykke Sky. Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold, hver give sig i Himlens Vold hver give sig i Himlens Vold og fly! Du Danskes Vej til Ros og Magt, sortladne Hav! modtag din Ven, som uforsagt tgér méde Faren med Foragt og stolt som du mod Stormens Magt, sortladne Hav! or rask igennem Larm og Spil oq Kamp of Sejer f¢r mig til og Kamp of Sejer fgr mig til min Grav. DANISH NATIONAL HYMN King Christian stood by lofty mast, In mist and smoke, Hig sword was hammering so fast, Thro! Gothic helm and brain it pass'd, Then sank each hostile hulk anc mast, In mist and smoke. "Ply," shouted they; "fly he who can!," Who braves of Denmark's Christian, Who braves of Denmark's Christian the stroke. Nils Juel gave heed to th! tempest's roar, Now is the hourl He flew his blood-red flag once more, And smote upon the foe full sore, dnd shouted loud thro! tempest's roar, “Now is the hour," "Fly!" shouted they, "for shelter flys" of Denmark's Juel who can defy, Of Denmark's Juel who can defy the pow'r? North sea! a glimpse of Vessel rent Thy murky seal Then champions to thine arms were sent; Death's terror glared wherc'er he went; ‘And oft was heard a wail, that rent Thy murky sky! From Denmark thunders Tordenskioll Let each to Heav'n commend his soul, Let each to Heav'n commend his soul and fly. © Path to Danish fame and mightl Dark rolling wave} Receive thy friend who, scorning flight, Heets ev'ry danger with despite, As thou dost mcet the tempest's might, Dark rolling wavel tMid mingled pleasures and alarms, And war and vict'ry, be thine arms, Nid war and vict!ry be thine arms my grave! re 2 a DER ER ET YNDIGT LAND Der er et yndigt land, det star med brede bége ner salten Zsterstrand, ner salten ¢sterstrand; cet bugter sig i bakke, dal, det hedder ganle Danmark, og det er Frejas sal, og det er Frejas sal. Der sad i fordums tid de harniskkladte kaemper udhvilede fra strid; :,: sa drog de frem til fjenders men, nu hvile deres bene bag héjens bautesten. :,: Det land endnu er sként; thi bla sig soen belter, og lfvet star sa grént; :,: og aedle kvinder, skgénne mger og mend og raske svende bebo ce danskes ger, :,: Vort sprog er steerkt og bigdt, vor tro er ren og lutret, og wodet er ej dddt. :,: Vort gamle Danmark skal besta, sa leenge bdgzen spejler sin top i bflgen bla! :,: End APPENDIX A CONVENTION BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF DENMARK, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CONCERNING THE CESSION OF THE ISLANDS OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN IN WEST INDIES. His Majesty the King of Denmark and the United States of America being desirous of confirming the good understand- ing which exists between them, have for that purpose appointed as Plenipotentiaries, his Majesty the King of Denmark, Count Christian Emil Juel Vind-Frijs, President of the Council of the Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grandcross. of the Order of Daneborg, and decorated with the Cross of honor of the same Order, and the President of the United States, George H. Yeaman, accredited as their Minister Resident to his said Majesty, and the said Plenipotentiaries having ex- changed their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon the signed the following articles: ARTICLE I His Majesty the King of Denmark agrees to cede to the United States by this Convention immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, in the West Indies, with the adjacent islands and rocks, situated north of the 18th degree of north latitude. His Majesty the King of Denmark will, however, not exer- cise any constraint over the people, and will therefore, as soon as practicable, give them an opportunity of freely expres- sing their wishes in regard to this cession. ARTICLE II In the cession of territory and dominion made by the pre- ceeding article and included the right of property of the crown of Denmark in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks, and other edi- fices which are not private individual property. It is however, understood that the Lutheran Coagregation shall remain in possession of the churches which are now used by them, and the sums due the Danish treasury by individuals are reserved and do not pass by this cession. Any government archives, papers and documents relative to the territory and dominion aforesaid, which may be now existing there, shall be left in possession of the agent of the United States appointed in accordance with Article IV; put an authenticated copy of such of them as may be required will be at all times given by the United States to the Danish Government, or to such Danish officers or subjects as may apply to them. ARTICLE III The inhabitants of the said island shall be protected in their liberty, their religion, their property, and private rights, and they shall be free to remain where they now re- side, or to remove at any time, retaining the property which they possess in the said island, or disposing thereof and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their being subjected on this account to any contribution, tax, or charge whatever. Those who shall prefer to remain in the said islands, may either retain the title and the rights of their natural allegiance, or acquire those of citizens of the United States. But they shall make their election within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention; and those who shall remain in the said islands after the expiration of that term, without having declared their intention to retain their natural allegiance, shall be considered to have elected to become citizens of the United States. ARTICLE IV Immediately after the payment o, the United States of the sum of money stipulated for in the fifth article of this Convention, His Majesty the King cf Denmark will appoint an agent or agents for the purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents, appointed on lehalf of the United States, the territory, islands, property, and appurtenances which are ceded as above, including any fortifications or military posts which may be in the ceded territory, and for doing any other act which may be necessary in regard thereto. But the cession with the right of immediate possession is nevertheless to be deemed complete and absolute on the ex- change of ratifications, without waiting for such formal delivery, Any Danish troops, which may be in the territory or aforesaid islands shall be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonable and conveniently practicable. ARTICLE V In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to pay, at the treasury in Washington, within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the King of Denmark, duly authorized to receive the same, seven millions five hundred thousand dollars, in gold. The cession conveys to the United States the said islands and appurtenances in full and entire sovereignity, with all the dominion, rights and powers which Denmark now possess and can exercise in them, free and unincumbered by any grants, condi- tions, privileges or franchises in any way affecting or limiting the exercise of such sovereignity. ARTICLE VI When this convention shall have been duly ratified by His Majesty the King of Denmark, by and with the consent of the Rigsdag on the one part, and on the other by the President of the United States, by and with the advise and consent of the United States, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington, within four months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible. In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this convention and thereto affixed the seals of their arms, Done at Copenhagen, the 24th of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, GEO. H. YEAMAN, [L. S.J] C. E. JUEL-VIND-FRIJS, [L. S.] APPENDIX B CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND DENMARK FOR THE CESSION OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 1902. RATI- FICATION ADVISED BY THE SENATE FEBRUARY 17, 1902, RATIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT, MARCH 1, 1902. The United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark being desirous of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have to that end appointed as plenipotentiaries. The President of the United States: John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States; and His Majesty the King of Denmark: Mr; Constantin Brun, Commander of Danneborg and decorated with the Cross of Honor of the same Order, His Majesty's Chamberlain and Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington; who, having mutually exhibited their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon the following articles: ARTICLE I His Majesty the King of Denmark agrees to ceed to the United States immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this convention the Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John and Sainte Croix, in the West Indies, with the adjacent Islands and rocks, comprising in said cession all title and claims of title to the territories in and about said islands over which the Crown of Denmark now exercises, asserts or claims jurisdiction. This cession conveys to the United States the said Islands and appurtenances in full sovereignity, entire and unincumbered exgept as stipulated in the present Convention, with all the dominion, rights and powers which Denmark now possesses, exercises, asserts and claims therein; it being however understood and agreed that the consummation of said cession does not import the transference of the United States of the financial claims now held by Denmark against the Colonial trea- suries of the Islands, it being agreed that these claims are alto- gether extinguished in consequence of the cession. And it is moreover understood and agreed, that the United States will assume and continue to discharge from the time of the cession the obligations heretofore incumbent upon the Danish Government towards the St. Thomas Floating Dock Company and the West India and Panama Telegraph Company. No responsibility of any kind whatever is incumbent on the Danish Government, nor on the United States Government, as to the guaranty which, conformably to the ordinance of June 16, 1876, the Colonial treasury of Sainte Croix has assumed with regard to the payment of an interest of five per cent per annum to the holders of shares of the "Sainte Croix Fallessukkerkogerier" Company limited. ARTICLE If The aforesaid title conveys to the United States the absolute fee and ownership of all public, Government or Crown lands, public buildings, ports, harbors, fortifications, barracks, and all other public property of every kind and description belonging to the Government of Denmark, together with every right and appurtenance thereunto appertaining: it being however agreed that the arms and military stores existing in the islands at the time of the cession and belonging to the Government of Denmark shall remain the property of that Government and shall, as soon as circumstances will permit, be removed by it, unless they, or parts thereof, may before have been bought by the Government of the United States upon a special agree- ment made with the Government of Denmark; it being however under- stood that flags and colors, uniforms and such arms or military objects as are marked as being the property of the Danish Government shall not be included in such purchase. It is moreover agreed and understood: first, that the congrega- tions belonging to the Danish National Church shall remain in pos- session of the churches which are now used by them, together with the parsonages appertaining thereunto, and secondly, that sums due to the Danish treasury by individuals are reserved and do not pass by this cession; and where the Danish Government shall at the time of the cession hold property taken over by the Danish Treasury for sums due by individuals, such property shall not pass by this ces- sion, but the Danish Government shall sell or dispose of such prop- erty and remove its proceeds within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention, the United States Government being entitled to sell by public auction, to the credit of the Danish Government, what may not have been sold before expira- tion of the said term of two years. The Danish Government retains the claims held by the same as a creditor against the "Ste, Croix Fallessukkerkogerier" Company limited; should that Government acquire the ownership of property belonging to this Company in the island of Ste. Croix, the above provision regarding a sale within two years shall apply to such property; the two years however to begin from the date of the acquirement of ownership of said property which shall be within three years from the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty. Any Government archives, papers and documents relative to the islands ceded and the dominion of the same, which may now be exis- ting there, shall pass by this cession, but an authenticated copy of such documents or papers as may be required will be at all times given by the United States to the Danish Government or to such pro- perly authorized Danish officers or subjects as may apply for them. ARTICLE III Danish subjects residing in said islands may remain therein or may remove therefrom at will, retaining in either event all their rights of property, including the right to sell or dispose of such property or its proceeds; and in case they remain in the islands, they shall continue until otherwise provided, to enjoy all the private, municipal and religious rights and liberties secured to them by the law now in force. If the present laws are altered, the said inhabitants shall not thereby be placed ina less favorable position in respect to the above mentioned rights and liberties than they now enjoy. Those who remain in the islands may preserve their allegiance to the Crown of Denmark by making, before a court of record, within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention, a declaration of their decision to preserve such allegiance, in default of which declara- tion they shall be held to have renounced it and to have accepted allegiance to the United States; but such election of Danish alle- giance shall not, after the lapse of the said term of two years, be a bar to their renunciation of their preserved Danish allegiance and their election of allegiance to the United States and admission to the nationality thereof on the same terms as may be provided according to the laws of the United States, for other inhabitants of the islands. The civil rights and the political status of the inhabitants of the islands shall be determined by the Congress, subject to the stipulations contained in the present convention. Danish subjects not residing in the islands but owning property therein at the time of the cession shall retain their rights of property, including the right to sell or dispose of such property, being placed in this regard on the same basis as the Danish subjects residing in the islands and remaining therein or removing therefrom to whom the first paragraph of this article relates, ARTICLE IV Formal delivery of the territory and property ceded as afore- said shall be made immediately after the payment by the United States of the sum of money stipulated in the fifth article hereof; but the cession with the right of immediate possession is never- theless to be deemed complete on the exchange of the ratifications. of this convention, and any Danish troops which may be in the is- lands aforesaid shall be withdrawn as soon thereafter as may be practicable, but not later than six months after the said exchange; it being however understood that if those persons, after having terminated their Danish service, do not wish to leave the islands, they shall be allowed to remain there as civilians. This Colonial Treasury shall continue to pay the yearly allow- ances now given to heretofore retired functionaries appointed in the Islands but holding no Royal Commissions, unless those allow- ances may have until now been paid in Denmark. ARTICLE V In full consideration of the cession of said islands in full sovereignity, entire and unincumbered except as stipulated in the present Convention, the United States agrees to pay, within ninety days from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this con- vention, in the City of Washington to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the King of Denmark, duly authorized to receive the money, the sum of five million dollars in gold coin of the United States. ARTICLE VI In case of differences of opinion arising between the High Contracting Parties in regard to the interpretation or application of this convention, such differences, if they cannot be regulated through diplomatic negotiations, shall be submitted for arbitration to the permanent court or arbitration at the Hague. ARTICLE VII The ratifications of this Convention shall be exchanged at Washington, within six months from the date hereof, after it shall have been ratified by both the High Contracting Parties according to their respective procedure. In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed and sealed this convention, in the English and Danish languages. Done at Washington the 24th day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and two, JOHN HAY (Seal) C,. BRUNN (Seal) APPENDIX C CONVENTICN BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND DENMARK FOR THE CESSION OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES SIGNED AT NEW YORK, AUGUST 4, 1916; RATIFICATION ADVISED BY THE SENATE, SEPTEMBER 7, 1916; RATIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT, JANUARY 26, 1917; RATIFIED BY DENMARK, DECEMBER 22, 1916; RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED AT WASH- INGTON JANUARY 17, 1917; PROCLAIMED, JANUARY 25, 1917. Treaty Series No. 629 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Whereas a Convention between the United States of America and Denmark providing for the cession to the United States of all territory asserted or claimed by Denmark in the West Indies, in- cluding the islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, together with the adjacent islands and rocks, was concluded and signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries at the City of New York on the fourth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, the original of which Ccnvention, being in the English and Danish lan- guages, is word for word as follows: The United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark being desirous of confixming the good understanding which exists between them, have to thet end appointed as Plenipotentaries, The President of the United States: Mr. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State «f£ the United States, and His Majesty the King of Denmark: Mr. Constantin Brun, His Majesty's Envoy extraordinary and Minister plenipotentiary at Washington, who, having mutually ex- hibited their full powers which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon the following articles: ARTICLE 1 His Majesty the King of Denmark by this convention cedes to the United States all territory, dominion and sovereignty, pos- sessed, asserted or claimed by Denmark in the West Indies includ- ing the Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John and Saint Croix to- gether with the adjacent islands and rocks. This cession includes the right of property in all public,. government, or crown lands, public buildings, wharves, ports, harbors, fortifications, barracks, public funds, rights, franchises, and privileges, and all other public property of every kind of des- cription now belonging to Denmark together with all appurtenances thereto. In this cession shall also be included any government archives, records, papers or documents which relate to the cession or the rights and property of the inhabitants of the Islands ceded, and which may now be existing either in the Islands ceded or in Denmark. Such archives and records shall be carefully preserved, and authen- ticated copies thereof, as may be required shall be at all times given to the United States Government or the Danish Government, as the case may be, or to such properly authorized persons as may apply for them, ARTICLE 2 Denmark guarantees that the cession made by the preceding article is free and unencumbered by any reservations, privileges, franchises, grants, or possession, héld by any government, corpor- ations, syndicates, or individuals, except as herein mentioned. But it is understood that this cession does not in any respect impair private rights which by law belong to the peaceful possess- ion of property of all kinds by private individuals of whatsoever nationality, by municipalities, public or private establishments, ecclesiastical or civic bodies, or any other associations having le- gal capacity to acquire and possess property in the: Islands ceded. The congregations belonging to the Danish National Church shall retain the undisturbed use of the churches which are now used by them, together with the parsonages appertaining thereunto and other appurtenances, including the funds allotted to the churches. ARTICLE 3 It is especially agreed, however, that: 1) The arms and military stores existing in the Islands at the time of the cession and belonging to the Danish Government shall remain the property of that Government and shall, as soon as circumstances will permit, be removed by it, unless they, or parts thereof, may have been bought by the Government of: the United States; it being however understood that flags and colors, uniforms and such arms or military articles as are marked as being the pro- perty of the Danish Government shall not be included in such purchase. 2) The movables, especially silver plate and pictures which may be found in the government buildings in the islands ceded and belonging to the Danish Government shall remain the property of that Government and shall, as soon as circumstances will permit, be removed by it. 3) The pecuniary claims now held by Denmark against the colonial treasuries of the islands ceded are altogether extinguished in consequence of this cession and the United States assumes no re~ sponsibility whatsoever for or in connection with these claims. Expected is however the amount due to the Danish Treasury in account current with the West-Indian colonial treasuries pursuant to the making up of accounts in consequence of the cession of the islands; should on the other hand this final accounting show a balance in favour of the West Indian- colonial treasuries, the Danish Treasury shall pay that amount to the colonial treasuries. 4) The United States will maintain the following grants, concessions and licenses, given by the Danish Government, in accord- ance with the terms on which they are given: a. The concession granted to "Det vestindiske Kompagni" (The West-Indian Company) Ltd. by the communications from the Ministry of Finance of January 18th 1913 and of April 16th 1913 relative to a license to embank, drain, deepen and utilize certain areas in St. Thomas Harbor and preferential rights as to commercial, indus- trial or shipping establishments in the said Harbor. b) Agreement of August 10th and 14th, 1914 between the munici- pality of St. Thomas and St. John and "Det vestindiske Kompagni" Ltd. relative to the supply of the city of Charlotte Amalie with electric lighting. c. Concession of March 12th 1897 to "The Floating Dock Com- pany of St. Thomas Ltd.", subsequently transferred to "The St. Thomas Engineering and Coaling Company Ltd." relative to a float- ing dock in St. Thomas Harbor, in which concession the maintenance, extension, and alteration of the then existing repairing ship are reserved. d, Royal Decree Nr. 79 of November 30th 1914 relative _to the subsides from the colonial treasures of St, Thomas and Sainte Croix to "The West India and Panama Telegraph Company Ltd." e. Concession of November 3rd, 1906, to K.B. Hey to establish and operate a telephone system on St. Thomas island, which concession has subsequently been transferred to the "St. Thomas Telefonselskab" Ltd. f£. Concession of February 28th 1913 to the municipality of Sainte Croix to establish and operate’a telephone system in Sainte Croix. g. Concession of July 16th 1915 to Ejnar Svendsen, an Engineer, for the construction and operation of an electric light plant in the city of Christiansted, Sainte Croix. h. Concession of June 20th 1904 for the establishment of a Danish West-Indian bank of issue. This bank has for a period of 30 years acquired the monopoly to issue bank-notes in the Danish West- India islands against the payment to the Danish Treasury of a tax amounting to ten percent of its annual profits. i. Guarantee according to the Danish supplementary Budget Law for the financial year 1908-1909 relative to the St. Thomas Harbor's four percent loan of 1910. 5) Whatever sum shall be due to the Danish Treasury by private individuals on the date of the exchange of ratifications are reserved and do not pass by this cession; and where the Danish Government at that date holds property taken over by the Danish Treasury for sums due by private individuals, such property shall not pass by this cession, but the Danish Government shall sell or dispose of such property and remove its proceeds within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention; the United States Government being entitled to sell by public auction, to the credit of the Danish Government, any portion of such property remaining unsold at the expiration of the said term of two years. 6) The Colonial Treasuries shall continue to pay the yearly allowances now given to heretofore retired functionaries appointed in the islands but holding no Royal Commissions, unless such allow- ances may have until now been paid in Denmark. ARTICLE 4 The Danish Government shall appoint with convenient despatch an agent or agents for the purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents appointed on behalf of the United States, the territory, dominion, property, and appurtenances which are ceded hereby, and for doing any other act which may be necessary in regard thereto. Formal delivery of the territory and property ceded shall be made immediately after the payment by the United States of the sum of money stipulated in this convention; but the cession with the right of immediate possession is nevertheless to be deemed complete on the exchange of ratifications of this conven- tion without such formal delivery. Any Danish military or naval forces which may be in the islands ceded shall be withdrawn as soon as may be practicable after the formal delivery, it being however understood that if the persons constituting these forces, after having terminated their Danish service, do not wish to leave the Islands, they shall be allowed to remain there as civilians. ARTICLE 5 In full consideration of the cession made by this convention, the United States agrees to pay, within ninety days from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention, in the City of Washington to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the King of Denmark duly authorized to receive the money, the sum of twenty-five million dollars in gold coin of the United States. ARTICLE 6 Danish citizens residing in said islands may remain therein or may remove therefrom at will, retaining in either event all their rights of property, including the right to sell or dispose of such property or its proceeds; in case they remain in the Islands, they shall continue until otherwise provided, to enjoy all the private, municipal and religious rights and liberties secured to them by the laws now in force, If the present laws are altered, the said inhabitants shall not thereby be placed in a less favor- able position in respect to the above mentioned rights and liberties than they now enjoy. Those who remain in the islands may preserve their citizenship in Denmark by making before a court of record, within one year from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention, a declaration of their decision to preserve such citizenship; in default of which declaration they shall be held to have renounced it, and to have accepted citizenship in the United States; for children under eighteen years the said declaration may be made by their parents or guardians, Such election of Danish citizenship shall however not, after the lapse of the said term of one year be a bar to their renunciation of their preserved Danish citizenship and their election of citizen- ship in the United States and admission to the nationality there- of on the same terms as may be peed Goma according to the laws of the United States, for other inhabitants of the islands. The civil rights and the political status of the inhabitants of the islands shall be determined by the Congress, subject to the stipulations contained in the present convention, Danish citizens not residing in the islands but owning pro- perty therein at the time of the cession, shall retain their rights of property including the right to sell or dispose of such property, being placed in this regard on the same basis as the Danish citizens residing in the islands and remaining therein or removing therefrom, to whom the first paragraph of this article relates, ARTICLE 7 Danish subjects residing in the Islands shall be subject in matters civil as well as criminal to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Islands, pursuant to the ordinary laws governing the same, and they shall have the right to appear before such courts, and to pursue the same course therein as citizens of the country to which the courts belong. ARTICLE 8 Judicial proceedings pending at the time of the formal delivery in the islands ceded shall be determined according to the following rules: (1) Judgments rendered either in civil suits between private individuals, or in criminal matters, before the date mentioned, and with respect to which there is no recourse or right to review under Danish law, shall be deemed to be final, and shall be executed in due form and without any renewed trial whatsoever by the competent authority in the territories within which such judgments are to be carried out. If in a criminal case a mode of punishment has been applied which, according to new rules, is no longer applicable on the islands ceded after delivery, the nearest corresponding punishment in the new rules shall be applied. (2) Civil suits or criminal actions pending before the first courts, in which the pleadings have not been closed at the same time, shall be confirmed before the tribunals established in the ceded islands after the delivery, in accordance with the law which shall thereafter be in force. (3) Civil suits and criminal actions pending at the said time before the Superior Court or the Supreme Court in Denmark shall continue to be prosecuted before the Danish courts until final judgment according to the law hitherto in force. The judgment shall be executed in due form by the competent authority in the territories within which such judgment should be carried out, ARTICLE 9 The rights of property secured by the copyrights and patents acquired by Danish subjects in the Islands ceded at the time of exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, shall continue to be respected. ARTICLE 10 Treaties, conventions and all other international agreements of any nature existing between Denmark and the United States shall eo ipso extend, in default of a provision to the contrary, also to the ceded islands. ARTICLE 11 In case of differences of opinion arising between the High Contracting Parties in regard to the interpretation or application of this convention, such differences, if they cannot be regulated through diplomatic negotiations, shall be submitted or arbitration to the permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. ARTICLE 12 The ratifications of this convention shall be exchanged at Washington as soon as possible after ratification by both the High Contracting Parties according to their respective procedure, In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed and sealed this convention, in the English and Danish languages. Done at New York this fourth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen. ([SEAL] ROBERT LANSING (SEAL) Cc. BRUN APPENDIX D CEREMONY IN ST. THOMAS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PROGRAM OF TRANSFER The formal transfer, mentioned in article 4 of the convention, of all the islands to the Representative of the United States of America, Commander Edwin T, Pollock, took place at St. Thomas through Governor Henri Konow as Representative of His Majesty King Christian the Tenth of Denmark. A guard of honor from the cruiser Valkyrien under Command of an officer and with the band on its right wing drew up in front of the barracks, with their back to the building, and the American guard of honor drew up right opposite, facing the Danish guard. The non-commissioned officer in acting charge of the barracks and the gun crew took their stand at the salute battery, and men des- ignated to lower and hoist the National Flag of the respective countries took their stand at the flagstaff. The officials or those specially invited to attend the cere- mony took their stands as follows, turning their back to the fort: Nearest to the King's wharf the officials and then the mem- bers of the Colonial Council, the Consular body, and other parties invited, When the Representative of the United States left the American man-of-war a salute of fifteen guns was fired from the Valkyrien flying the United States Flag from her foremast, and the same salute was fired from the fort on the landing of the Representative. On his landing he was received by the Governor and the Colonial Secretary together with whom he passed along the front of the Danish guard of honor, passed the officials and those specially invited, before the front of the American guard of honour, and thereafter to the barracks o6fficer-quarters, where the protocol regarding the’ - transfer was signed, This being accomplished the Governor took his stand in front of the Danish guard of honour, the United States Representative in front of the American guard of honour. In the name of His Majesty King Christian the Tenth, the Governor proclaimed the islands — transferred to the United States of America upon which the guards of honour presented arms, the Danish National Flag was lowered while the Danish band played the National Anthem, and a salute of twenty- one guns was fired from the salute battery and all the men-of-war. The guards of honour changed places. The Representative of the United States proclaimed the islands taken into possession, the guard of honour presented arms, the American National Flag was hoisted while the American band played the American National Anthem and a salute of twenty- one guns was fired from the battery and all the men-of war. After prayer by Bishop E.C. Greider, the Agent for the United States, Commander Edwin T. Pollock, U.S. Navy, announced his being duly appointed Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United States of America. The retired Governor having passed the front of the Danish guard of honour, the guard marched off. The newly appointed Governor then returned to the U.S.S. Hancock, whereupon a salute of seventeen guns was fired on his honour as Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United States of America. Throngs Gather to Witness Imposing Ceremony The long-expected has happened, The Transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States has been effected. Time fulfil- leth all things. The ceremony took place Saturday afternoon in presence of a multitude of people who crowded every spot wherefrom a view could be obtained, and from the hilltops as well sightseers gathered. On the ramparts of the Fort the crowd standing recalled the days of the Fastelavn festival. The hour fixed was four o'clock and the place was the Saluting Battery. Perfect weather favored the ceremony, which was most im- posing and impressive. All the effect that military glamour lands to such an occasion was produced, and so was the solemnity of the occasion unmistakably demonstrated by the most perfect order and behaviour throughout the proceedings. Though there was the shortest possible notice given for effect- ing arrangements, every detail of the program was carried through faultlessly. Not a hitch was perceived. It was sad but grand. There was full naval, military, and civil representation, the Police Corps, Fire Brigade, Officials, Consuls, Clergy, and specially invited guests being within the enclosure where stood the guards of honour from the U.S.S. Hancock, and H.M.S. Valkyrien. Soon after, the two Governors appeared. Passing in front of the guards, the distinguished representatives advanced along the line of gentlemen, to whom the new Governor was introduced, and shook hands with each, repeating the civility after the function was over. An interval followed while the Representatives in presence of witnesses read and signed the Protocol of the Transfer. As the moments passed anxiousness became tense, increasing with palpitating impatience as they left the room. The supreme moment had come, With a graceful sweep Governor Konow drew his sword from the scabbard and facing Governor Pollock, who did the same, in clear tones announced that by order of King Christian the Tenth he delivered the Danish West Indian Islands to the United States of America. As the last words fell from his lips and amid the boom of guns the Danish flag was lowered, sliding down slowly and waving grace- fully until it went out of view, watched with mingled sentiments of gladness and sorrow, a.scene of profound but touching beauty, one that moved stout hearts and faint hearts to tears which could not be restrained, and which none were ashamed to shed—a spectacle never to be witnessed again and never to be forgotten, It descended at twelve minutes to five. There are thoughts and feelings which no pen however gifted can adequately describe. Of such a nature were those which this trans- cendent event evoked as the old standard was removed. Governor Pollock having taken the islands into custody on behalf of the United States, announced the same in a clear voice, and ex- pressed the hope that the people of the islands would have no cause to regret the change. At seven minutes to five, amidst the same deep silence and the combined salutes, the American flag was hoisted, its bright stripes gleaming in the sunlight, to the joy of those who long wished to see it there, and now the hope of all who are called upon to pay it allegiance, An appropriate Prayer by Bishop Greider of the Moravian Church, followed by the reading by the Governor of the President's Procla- mation to the People, and the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Protestant Bishop Collymore of Porto Rico, brought the great cere- mony to a close. Thus passed into history a notable event, APPENDIX E CEREMONY IN ST. CROIX - PART I At the very moment the purchase sum of twenty-five million dollars gold was paid over to the Danish Minister in Washington on Saturday afternoon the Danish West Indies were transferred to the United States. It took place at St. Thomas, Christiansted, and Frederiksted at the same moment, four o'clock precisely in the afternoon. FREDERIKSTED Putting aside all rumours going the rounds on Saturday morning, we can begin by stating that the U.S.8. Olympia, Capt. Bion B. Bierer, arrived here about noon during a pouring rain. The military commander at Frederiksted, Premier Lieutenant Haagensen, and the pilot from Christiansted, Mr. Norgaard, went on board. The orders were that the vessel’ should land a detachment of twenty men and then proceed to Christiansted to salute the port. But on account of her large draught the vessel could not pass the bar of Christiansted harbour, and therefore remained here, dispatching by automobiles a detachment of marines to Christiansted. The American Consular Agent, Mr. Robt. L. Merwin, of course paid a visit on board, and on leaving was accorded the regular consular salute of five guns. After landing, the Consul took the Commander of the vessel in an automobile to his residence for refreshments. Meanwhile the vessel's launches landed piles of stores and equipment on the wharf, which were later removed into the Fort, where the Gendarmes' quarters were given up to the new force. From three o'clock people from the town and country gathered in front of the Fort and as the steeple-clock struck four, His Honour the Policemaster, in the presence of a detachment of Danish Gendarmes and American Marines, the Lutheran Parson, Joh. Faber, Police Assistant Lund, Inspector of Customs W. Bjerg, and several U.S. naval officers, read aloud the following proclamation under profound silence: "By order of His Majesty the King of Denmark, Commodore Konow, Governor ad interim of the Danish West Indies, in this moment delivers these Islands to representatives of the United States of America. "In conformity with this act the Danish Flag will now be taken down from all public buildings." After this Parson Faber took the Policemaster's place and asked the people to join with him in prayer for the old flag. He thereafter gave thanks to God for what good had been accom- plished under Dannebrog during the centuries it had been waving over these islands. He prayed that our shortcomings and the mis- takes we had made under this flag be forgotten, and that God in the coming days would bless the Danish King and the Danish nation under Dannebrog,—and also that God in the future would bestow His blessings upon these islands and the population under the new flag. Then twenty-one guns were fired, "Dannebrog" lowered, and "Stars and Stripes" hoisted under salute of another twenty-one guns. To try to describe the emotion or feeling felt during the brief but touching ceremony is beyond our ability; everybody that was present undoubtedly felt much the same. CHRISTIANSTED On account of suspension of mail between Christiansted and here we are not able to get the news concerning the Transfer in Christiansted in time for to-day's publication. We hear that it took place in much the same way as down here. No salute was fired. The Machias was expected to have arrived, but for some reason or the other she did not turn up. KINGSHILL At Kingshill Gendarmerie station the Danish Flag was lowered in the presence of the Sergeant and Gendarmerie force. No American Flag was substituted.—wWest End News (A. Ovesen, Editor), April 2, 1917. IN ST, CROIX - PART II THE HANDING OVER "By order of His Majesty, the King of Denmark, Commodore Konow, Governor ad interim of the Danish West Indies, delivers at this mo- ment these islands to the representative of the United States of America, In conformity with this act the Danish Flag is now taken down from all public buildings." Following these words, spokei. by Despatching Secretary Jacobsen, the highest authority in the island at present, the Danish Flag was taken down from the Fort, while King Christian was being played. In another place will be found the order in which the ceremony was performed. THE GOING OF OLD DANNEBROG AND THE COMING OF OLD GLORY Saturday, 3lst, March 1917, will go down in our history as a most eventful day—the day that Old Dannebrog passed away and Old Glory stepped in. All day, from early morning, up to four o'clock, the people from the country streamed into town and assembled on Herald Square to witness the impressive ceremony of changing the National Flag. At 3:30 the Gendarmes, headed by Captain Fuglede in command, marched from the barracks and lined up in a large open space on Herald Square, where also, a minute afterwards, a detachment of a Philadelphia Regiment, a Marine Division, faced them. The Gendarmes saluted the American soldiers by presenting arms, and the latter in turn saluted the Gendarmes in the same manner. The American regiment was commanded by First Lieutenant Willing. Precisely at four P.M., His Hon. the Govt, Secretary, in the presence of the Colonial Council, who came in a body, read the Royal Act, whereupon Captain Fuglede ordered the Danish Flag taken down from the Fort; while the Industrial Band played the Danish National Anthem, and both Gendarmes and American soldiers presented arms. Dannebrog was now down for all time, and Old Glory was to go up. The Gendarmes and Americans shouldered arms and marched in each other's places, Lieutenant Willing then ordered the American National Flag hoisted, while the regiments presented arms. Old Glory was now up and St. Croix was to be known, now and from henceforth, as a portion of American territory. It was a very touching sight to see the Old Flag pulled down, but, at the same time, it was a glorious one to see the Star Spangled Banner go up.—The Herald (D. Hamilton Jackson, Editor), April 2, 1917, BIBLIOGRAPHY Books Child, Thurston, Our Virgin Ielande - A History of the Virgin Islands for the Junior High School Grades. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I.: Department of Education, 1937. Denmark: An Official Handbook. Copenhagen, K.: Krak 17 Nyporv, April 1, 1964. Prepared by the Press and Infor- mation Department of the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign: Affairs, Christianborg Palace, Copenhagen. Faulkner, Harold Underwood. American Political and Social History. New York: Appleton - Century Crofts, Inc., 1948. Jarvis, J. Antonio. Brief History of the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas, V.I.: The Art Shop, 1938. Morison, Samuel E. Growth of the American Republic. New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. Muzzey, David and Link, Arthur. An American Republic, ‘Boston, Mass.: Ginn and Co., 1963. Paiewonsky, Ralph M., Governor. Messages of the Governor, New Hampshire: Equity Publishing Corporation, 1962; 1963. Parton, James. The Danish West Indies: Are ‘We Bound\to Pay for Thom? Boston, Mass: Osgood and Co., 1869. in Honor Schlesinger, Meier Arthur. Political and Social Growth of the United States: 1852-1933. New York: Macmillan, 1914. Seward, Olive Risley. A Diplomatic Episode. New York: Scribner, 7. Tansill, Charles C. The Purchase of the Danish West Indies. Baltimore, Maryland: John Hopkins Press, 1932. West, Willis M. History of the American People. Boston: Allyn, 1918. & Bacon World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: Field Enterprises, 1966. Zabriskie, Luther K. The Virgin Islands of the United States of America: Historical and Descriptive Commercial and Industrial Facts, Figures, and Resources. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1918. Articles and Periodicals 50 Years. (Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Transfer of the Virgin Islands to the United States of America; St. Thomas Friends of Denmark Society, March 31, 1957. Virgin Islands Golden Jubilee, The Daily News (St. Thomas, V.I.), April 3, 1967. Virgin Islands Magazine, IV (Commemorative Edition ~ 25th Anniver- sary of the Transfer; March 31, 1942),