US TO BUY DANISH ISLANDS (1900)

New York Tribune ^ | December 30, 1900 | Staff

[NRx]

Washington, Dec 29- The practical conclusion of the negotiations for the purchase of the Danish West Indies is virtually confirmed at the State Department in an announcement that an appropriation by Congress is all that remains to provide for the acquisition of St. Thomas and the other small islands owned by Denmark immediately to the eastward of Porto Rico, and it is the impression of officials that the money will be voted next month. The greatest difficulty in the negotiations has been the reluctance of Denmark to agree in advance to a sale while the United States was not prepared to guarantee to buy...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I say just go all the way and rename it Richport.

I say just rename it The Sovereign and Independent Republic of Puerto Rico

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The U.S. wanted to buy Greenland after World War II, but the Danes were reluctant to sell, in part because of the “treatment” of U.S. Virgin Islanders by the U.S. I think there are about 20,000 people who live on Greenland, and the Danes treat them very well. I guess they didn’t want Greenland turned into an Indian reservation.

[x]

That is a nice PC explanation for the 21st century, but concern for the native population may not have been the main factor. Another possibility is that the days when countries sold off part of their territory for money had passed.

[reasonisfaith]

The Clinton-linked Jeffrey Epstein owns one of the smaller islands there, Little Saint James Island.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Iceland was part of Norway until WW2. Denmark could not have held Greenland against Soviet pressure. A great circle route between the U.S. and the USSR passes over or near Greenland. It is important strategic territory. Denmark has been very cooperative with the US on strategic matters concerning Greenland, out of self interest. If they want to retain their 20,000 welfare clients, who are we to complain?