Show TEXT OF TREATY OF PURCHASE OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES washington fab 7 the treaty between the united states for the cession of the danish west india islands st thomas bt john and st croix which was recently negotiated between score tary hay on alio part of the united states and minister brun for denmark provides article l hia majesty the king of denmark agrees to cede to the united immediately upon the exchange of alie ratifications of this convention the islands of st thomas st john and st croix in the west indies with the adjacent islands and rocks comprising in said cassion all titles and claims of title to the territories in and about said islands over which the crown of denmark now exercises asselta or claims jurisdiction this cession conveys to the united states the said islands and appurtenances and full sovereignty entire and except as stipulated in the present convention with all the dominion rights and powers which denmark now possesses exercises asserts and claims thereon i being however understood and agreed that the consummation of said cession docs not import the transference to the united states of the financial claims now bield by denmark against the colonial treasuries of abo island it being agreed that these claims are altogether extinguished in consequence of the cession and it is moreover understood and agreed eliat the united states aiu assume and continue to discharge from the time of the cession the obligations heretofore incumbent upon the danish government toward the st thomas floating dock company and the west india panama telegraph company BUYS ALL duji GUNS AND flags art 2 the aforesaid title conveys to the united states the absolute fee and ownership pi all public government and crown lands public lands ports harbors fortifications barracks and all other public property 0 every kind and description belonging to the government of denmark together bifi every right and appurtenance thereunto appertaining hoeing 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 ern ment and sha aa soon as circumstances shall permit be removed by it unless they or parts thereof may before have been by the government of the united states upon a special agreement made with the government of denmark it being however understood that flags and colors uniforms and such arms of 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 arst that the congregations belonging to the danish national church shall remain in possession of the churches which are now used by them together with the personages appertaining chere unto 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 hot pass by this cession but the danish government shall sell or dispose of such property and remove its process within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention the united baat government being entitled to soil by public auction to the credit of the danish government what may not have been eold before the expiration of the said term of two years art 3 danish subjects residing in said islands may remain therein or re move at will retaining in either event their rights of property including the rights to sell or dispose ot such property or its and in case they remain in the islands they shall continue until otherwise provided to enjoy all tho municipal rights and liberties secured to them now by tho laws at present in force if tho present laws are altered the inhabitants ahall not thereby be placed in less favorable position in respect to the above named rights and liberties than they now enjoy those who remain in the islands may preserve their allegiance to the crown of denmar by making before the court of record within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention a declaration cl of their decision to preserve such allegiance in default of which declaration cl they bhail be helo to have renounced it ana to have accepted allegiance to the united states but such election of danish allegiance shall not after the lapse of said term of two years be a bar to their renunciation of their preserved danish allegiance abid their election of allegiance to tho united states and admission to the nationality thereof on the came terms aa may be provided according to tho laws of tho united states for other inhabitants of the islands the civil and the political status ot the inhabitants of the islands shall be determined by the congress subject to the stipulations contained in the present convention OF DANISH SUBJECTS danish subjects not residing in the islands but owning property therein a the time of the cession retain abir rights of property including the right to sell or dispose of such property being placed in this regard on the same basia as the danish subjects residing in the islands and remaining therein or removing to whom tho first paragraph of tins article relates art 4 formal delivery of the territory and property ceded as aforesaid bo 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 nevertheless to be deemed complete on the exchange of the ratifications of this convention and any danish trompa may be in tho islands aforesaid shall bo withdrawn as soon thereafter as may be practicable but not later alian six months after the said exchange it being however understood that if those persons after having terminated their daniali service do not wish to leave the islands they shall bo allowed to remain as civilians art 5 in full consideration of the cession of said islands in full sovereignty entire and unencumbered except as stipulated in the present convention the united states agrees to pay within ninety days of the date of the ratification of this convention in alio city of washington to the diplomatic representative senta tive or other agent of his majesty the king of denmark duly authorized to receive the money the sum of in gold coin of the united states art 0 in case of difference of opinion arising between the high contracting parties in regard to the or application of this convention such differences if aliey cannot be regulated diplomatic negotiations shall be submit arbitration to the present court of arbitration at the art 7 the ratifications of aliis convention shall be exchanged at washington within six months from the date thereof after it shall have been ratified by both the high contracting parties according to their respective procedure |