, 1870-12-16
A TRANSLATION OF THE DEBATE IN
THE "FOLKETHING" ON THE BILL
FOR CERTAIN FINANCIAL MEA-
SURFS RELATING TO THE
ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.
(Continued).

NCNNSNJ'
BILLIE: I willingly side with a great many
OF the remarks which have fallen from several
OF the previous speakers, in relation to the
obligations which rest upon the Kingdom of
Denmark and its legislative authority, to assist
the Danish Westindia Islands out of the depres-
sing situation in which they are. Opposed to the
expressions OF the last honorable speaker, | will
also adduce that if there even are found MANY
English names to designate estates, there GER
tainly are found in the Danish WeStindia Islands,
and especially IN st. Croix, warm Danish hearts
which have shown themselves each time that
misfortunes have visited the Mother Country;
so that there exists in reality a mental connec-
ton between the Mother Country and the said
colonies, which makes it a duty for the King
dom Of Denmark and its legislation to do what
is possible to assist them. But | must also,
with regard to the different repeated utterances
which have sounded to us with so great empha-
sis, especially from the Islands, advance that
that which the kingdom and its legislation are
able to do to assist the Islands, is only a small
part of that which must be done for the prin-
cipal part ofthe work must be executed by the
Islands themselves. 1t is great error, when
it is believed in St. Croix and St. Thomas that
any measure which can be taken from this
place alone is able to amend the evils and mis-
chiefs which are complained of there. A great
revolution in the entire communal spirit and in
the method of working must take place in the
hands themselves, in order that any step from
our side can be of real Importance to them.
am at present as little able as any of the two
previous speakers (B. Christensen and A. Hage,)
to express any final and decisive opinion as to
the correctness of entertaining the proposal that
has come from Government Tho honorohlo
last speaker did, however, set forth the excep-
ton, that if we commenced to grant such a sum
as they have asked for $4,000 Westindia Dol
lars a year for 4 years for St. Croix, the rconse-
quence thereof would be, that after the expira-
ton of the four years, it would be very difficult
to get away again from such a contribution.
This l do not believe. | have the conviction
that there will be no such great difficulty and
we have at all events in this regard the perfect
power in our own hands, and the grant could be
given in such q decided and positive manner,
that all possible false expectations of the Island
OF a continued grant, would thereby vanish. I
consider it a direct necessity for US to come to
the aid of st. Croix with such q yearly contri-
button for some time but on the other hand it
appears to me to be very doubtful, if there in
reality can be said to be any reason for enter
tanning the proposal which is made in s 2, to es-
tabliSh a sort of relief fund, a chest for loans on
mortgage or a l%oan-fund of 100000 Westindia
Dollars to be lent out in estates in St. Croix
for the advancement of the production of sugar.
1t is perfectly correct, as pointed out, that the
Westindia financial history is rich in instances
where the State. has given loans to estates
loans which have been pernicious to all parties,
which have not assisted the es~tate-owners, and