The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-31
AMERICA IN THE WEST INDIES.
How the st. Thomns Purchase II Regarded
In England.

III Eu&iNuOs
From the London star, Dec III
The acquisition by the United States Of West India
islands Of St. Thomas and ST. John 10 event OF sun
Gent gravity 10 warrant examination into the motives
OF the nation which has acquired foothod In that
gon and OF the probable future results on the scattered
communities Of those seas belonging TO different Euro
pean Powera We believe when the late disturbances
occurred In Jamaica, and The .press Of this
country vas filled With violent foundations OF
tho negroes, President johnson took advantage
Of The circumstance sound the late Sir F. Bruce 10
the probability O Our cedng TO the United STATES that
s Ss s S9 g si % s
tures met induced the President. rather Mr..
Seward for that astute old the bottom OF tho
business TO apply TO Denmark. where ne has been moro
successful
President johnson is doubtless right in las
sumng that, tho United States possessed ST. Thomas
during thu late war there would have been blockade
running Tho place tho very nest and centre OF
all The illegal rsilic wh,cn buoyed up for tms the
spirits Of the Southern shareholders. Tho President
must not be surprised, however IL We look upon II
from another point Of view In the event OF great
sis,ent mach natious OF the American Fenans, ST
Thomas and ST. John may become convenient shelters
from which to annoy the commercs Of England Cor.
tainly in with the United States, should that
calamity ever occur The posson of ttee too islands
.ooid entirely alter the balance ~ po,or whieh has
kn,ero sabsts'ed btsren this country and Amsricr.
We do not point out these results in any spirit
OF hostility 10 The United States, but rather 70
siona nocv OF ,hs Eoresn Once WE s'o arc in
the act OF spending millions under detasion ttG
doing 50 10 are Keeping up OR prestige in the East Indies
exchange Of notes. far al present informed,
greatest naval rival acquires two islands In tho Ne
lnues avowediy ports agaas. poss Die Transit
aaiic enemies. rhe ence Of the Americans In these
ati.udes at1 be disu b'o 10 he Earopeen ys
IN peace as aeI as in mar Spain especially may proceed
At once TO set her house in order Porto Rico
slavery si reigns with all It's hateful features, Ia the
near neigabor Of 81 johns. Inasns the safe OF mind
OF the spanish Planters with community Of negroes
IN tho possession Of manhood suffrage in the next
Island Nor escape The difficulties whch tho
advent Of this new neiehbor will certainty Cause In
tad Alnfn
have begun n dominate the minds OF the negroes.
Tnev have not been nattensiye observers what
been PASSING the great country which lately
the chief -tay OF slavery. They will watch with less
JEALOUSY the possess OF the franchise by their lately
einancipa.ed brethren when tho American flag floats
o. or two OF the islands in their midst. In addition 10
what may be called the passive propagandsm OF Ameri
can views active and most powerful influence will
be exerted by the superior commercial activity OF the
Americans Although the obsaning Of ports mas
been the eaiing idea Of The late acquisition the
business activity Of the Americans Will doubtloss
convert the colony into u commercial centre where
they Will amass all the rich produce OF the peig hbotng
Islands before launching it cpon tho markets VI the