New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-13

educated Noarly al the eler1s In the stores are eo

Ored
! Tho following consider tho advantages Of naval
station IN the West Indies: Tho great difficulty We nave
OF maintaining Meet Of any sizo in the west lpdes
war with European Power the rule adopted toward
Ms during the Rebellion would no doubt again be en-
forced with the same rigOr aud would have ~ con
ont having his naval depot close AT aud Who oomi
Also ia Of damage in ght 80 into port provided
Jith means OF repair while IN similar slOuld
he obliged 10 20 North ANY can see the
n Government would labor under that had to withdraw
fleet from before place for the want OF provisions and
cal and there is hardly any place IN the West Indis
whore q vessel ia time Of could lie in the open
aud transfer stores 10 another vessel In carrying OF
warlike operations depot necessary, and here we
have the nick OF an the West India Isands
The expense " going from the West indies to ono OF our
pors would be a tremendous item. TO ray nothing OF
losing the service OF vessel time when she would
te best hrbor in the West Indies eetainy the
important proof Of which Is In the number Of yes
sells that 90 there for repairs and stores ana II Va loI .ne
many good points in the harb0r Of ST. ThoDlas ran
Juan and behind Water Island that would DC dlDcuf
10 decide which would be c best place az when 10 e.
tabish depot The harbor Of Sc Thomas itael - VOL
provided WIN all Tue eonyeniehees Oh Nhayes DunhK
and eo3i de0ss shat would answer, temporarily, Tor ma
Yai purases Every provision made for the cOanR OK
large steamers and in part OF the West mdies car
eminent do not desire 10 20 TO any great expense ana
Only wish the place as coal depot, there wll be
acquire station already established. In time
Of war it would not be easy to blockade
ST. Thomas by any force No vessels would DO able TO lie
within gunshot, could they anchor anywhere ia front
Of the port close enough TO prevent steamer or any
number OF them, from going in and out AT night Ihet4
30 intricate channels through which vessel of oni
could right direct for her port with nothing 10 stop
her This IS not tue case VIII most Of the hArbors N ING
the English Islands, are the only places where gooo har
bOrs exist. . III. . 80
ports Of refuge against those dreadful hurricanes
which, however, eratc IN their course That frst
ST. Thomas visited by hurricanes than Otba
West India Iands and the harbor Of san Juan - the re-
refuge San Juan st. Thomas and behind Water Islan6
may almost be erred one barbo for neither Of bem
much further apart than jersey City and East Rver
and oil very much safer
There is some doubt about tho health OF ST. Thomas
the fact that two occasions there nave Deen a
fu epdemlcs the Island. This however has been en-
tirey to the absence Of all agast ITO
Introduction of disease. SHIPS from all parts OF Tile
world seek that port steamers come aud 90, bringing
nvads from injected ports and the sick are landed a.
the hotels ST. Thomas without question being ast|i
to what s the matter with Them or where they cens
from The great quantity OF English cOa landed tbers
OF late years also introduced sickness for the want OF
coal sheds it, and the evaporation OF te same
that hot climate. il is said causes disease. This womb
happen with American coal On the whole, however
ST. Thomas is healthy any Of the other s'an1s ap
with proper quarantine regulations would DE consldereo
quite a salubIiOus place know that American and III
Topesn inyalds seek in Winter and there or ~ TIE
ltte island OF santa cruz are soon restored to heS,tn
The outlying islands Of the Virgin gfoup are an Vaina
BILE. in various WAYS ana ealsDe 81 susSJ9 ss
the great commercial position OF 81 tloDas, '1n the
other easy means of making money nave csod az
kind, Of agricultural pnrsns TO be neglected. The peO
pie have always been friends During the hebeDi9n
when all ports of the FRENCH and Brthn Nst lnda
Islands closed against u.s. 81 Thomas turnisied 0'f
vessels with supplies OF all kinds; nfOrDato5s
aud the cod shoulder to tie Rebel cruiser Ther
offered the latter facilities for preying upon our CONE
The United States have direct telegraphjo coonlp'
cation with ST. Thomas Wires could be laid from the
Canes OF Florida across the shOa water which extends,
with some Interruptions of very deep water ~ Pr
as Turks Island. and thence direct tO 81 In0nn Tie
distance would be somewhat greater than 10 Cubn; pt
comparatively speaking it would not be an expensive
line AS there would be so much shOal water
In fine think ST. Thomas is the keystone oftbe arch 81
the West Indies. II commands them all II II 81 more iIn-
pOrtance than 10 any one else, and III Europe "h ~
leisure aud its attention distracted by its own com
picAtions would not be allow ed 10 get the d9G on
any terms The chances that We may not Ret syot
The people Of ST. Thomas may prefer theF present vIe
pendent position 70 being Waived up wlJb oar dhieViqN
Resp,etfnlIy &C., DAVID D. PoRTBR Wee AdI0lal