, 1893-05-06

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it is now reaching a very respectable size.
Every American hopes that we soon will have
q power ON the sea that will be some defense
to orr very large coast line ON the two oceans.
In order properly to be able to defend our
coast, we must have a series Of ports OF re-
fnge comparatively near the coast but not on
it, where our vessels can 60 for refuge from
an enemy in superior force and where our
men of war can BIO supplied with proper dock
ing and coaling facilities.
The great Importance fer a coaling station
can be better understood when it is known
that our ships can, under ordinary circum-
stances, cruise for an average length OF time
OF about twenty days days only, before being
recoaled, and in many cases the time Is even
less than this.
f there is any section of the earth which
the United States should own, but does not,
that section ls the West Indies. On the con-
trary, those 'islands lying south east OF us,
are almost entirely in the possession of Eu-
ropean countries. The only exceptions can
call to mind are the Independent republics of
Hayti and Sto. Domingo, and the islets JUST
of the northern coast of South America.
Many Of these Islands are heavily fortified
and strongly garrisoned-For example
the English ports OF Kingston, Jamaica, and
of st Lucia, one Of the most southern OF the
outer row Of islands in this group. England Ia
not alone in owning strong situations IN the
West Indies. France and Spain. not to speak
Of tho smaller nations of Holland and Dem
ma~k, own islands there, many of them well
fortified.
The United States stands alone among the
great nations having interests in the West
Indies with no ability to protect them.
The Caribbean Sea- has been called the
Mediterranean of the United States. But
our power III our own great sea IS almost
zero.
1t is true that the United States has for
many ears been in possession Of the little
island Of Navassa Just south of Hayti, but this
place is not available as a coaling station.
Navassa is merely a rock rising from the
ocean to a height Of 200 or 800 feet. There
is little or no vegetation, and the dangerous
reefs that surmount it, together with the
impossibility of getting on the island without
using rope ladders, make the rock useless for
naval purposes.
About 800 miles south aud east of New
York and abont 1000 miles from Key West
lies the island Of st. Thomas. 1t is Just east
Of Pto. Rico, and it is the largest and most
productive, as we'll as the most northern OF
the Lesser Antilles. Denmark has owned
this island for abb ut 800 years. For over two
centuries St. Thomas has been one Of the
greatest marts in the West Indies. While
the production Of the island is not very great
it has always been the headquarters for the
disposal of tho products of the islands which
are allaround it, and there has always been
a large amount of shipping there.
Before the later days of the commercial
prosperity of st. Thomas, it was the head
quarters of that noted prince Of pirates.
Blackboard. In the town OF Charlotte ANA
liza the capital Of the island, there are to day
the castles Of Blackboard and his trusted
lieutenant Bluebeard. The latter wa finally
mutinous and was murdered by Blackboard.
Shortly after the pirates were annillilated by
Danish and English mon Of war.
ST Thomas is toda one OF the most Anne
ricanlzed towns ontside the United States,
The people are industrious and prosper
ous. The products Of the island are confined
to sugar cane. bay rum and fruits. But there
are several lines Of steamers that call at
st Thomas and take on coal there. The
United States and Brazil Steamship Com
pany makes st. Thomas is first port of call
outside of New York, The Hamburg Anne
rlcan line sends fifteen steamers q month to
st. Thomas, and the French and other lines
make the island one Of its stations.
On account of it's most favourable situation
"a. the keystone of the West Indies, and as 1t