New-York tribune., 1896-01-04
PTRCHISING DENMARK'S ISLANDS.


II there is any basis for the rumors thar the
Danish Government would again consider Il
proposition from the United States for the pur-
chase OF her West Indian possessions. the Ad-
mnstration has open to 1t the chance TO begin
negotiations which II satisfactorily concluded.
would give this country the port and coaling
station in the Antilles which we have desired
and at different times attempted TO lease or
purchase The prospect OF an ineroceanic canal
making the Caribbean Sea more than ever an
important highway If commerce renders the
possession by Us Of such IA refuge Increasingly
important AT present we have no naval repair
station more convenient for our Atlantic squad
rons than Port Royal and Pensacola. and for
coal we have 10 depend on the friendly disp0si-
ton Of foreign pcrts in the islands and on the
Sou1h American coast, The embarrassment OF
such dependence was strikingly Illustrated dur
ing the civil War. when at the Spanish and
British ports every possible obstacle was thrown
ia the way Of the successful manoeuvr!ng Of our
Navy.
The recognition OF the need Of providing
against any possible manifestation or similar
unfricndlinc>s in the future as we'll as broad ana
statesmanike views Of National development ied
Secretary Seward to give IA favorable answer
To- Denmark. when in 1868 she offered 10 sell
ST. Thomas and st. John for SI.oOO,0oo. B"t the
treaty which he concluded was not ratheu "'
the senate Mr.. Sumner did not believe IN eN-
tending orr boundaries. and President JOHNSON
unpopularity made defeat almost certain Tor any
poIicy OF his Administration. Seward WAS al
ready laughed at for throwing away Sood none!
on Alaska by critics too short sighted 10 hppreci-
ate the wisdom of his policy Inc years nave
vindicated the purchase of Alaska and our
negotiations TO get the Mole ~. Nicholas SHOW
that Seward was not animated 10y mere thirst
for territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT. but ncted on the
onticipation Of a real need when he attempted
., oculire the Danish islands Those Islands
will answer our requirements. They are con-
venicntlv situatcL st. Thomas is healthfu. ana
has n GOOD harbor suitable for diydocks ana Il
naval station and capable OF defence. santa
Cruz the largest Of the three Islands IS also
hc,,thful and under cultivation, and has IA pop
ulatlon Of about 10000. among whom Enslsh-
spcaking people are predominant
THE transfer Of these islands 10 ihe United
states would in no way be an unnatural rNien-
sion ~ territory nor would it set us to rule over
turbulent people having no sympathy WIN
our Goycrpmcnt. who must he held in check
under military law. We -noulu h"t wv '"iP"'"-
our mower unwelcomely. When the vote was
taken in l>6s ~ all inhabitants entitled To the
suffrage on the annexation question. LII asked
:, be permitted 10 join the lnion. while ohy
rp were onpos.d The dominion Of Denmark III
IN. West Indies IL entirely agreeable 4" ne
United States. and so long as he wishes =" 'ou
the three Islands we can have no objection. nut
w. could not indincrcnlv view their passing
into th. hands of any Of the great European
Powers. whose possessions in the 'nriuprah
81, ar,. already such that they could be s'r-
ou-ly annoying ~ us In ease OF diinculty' anu
could menace our rights in amy Sthmiah 'lhai
,,llrh may be- constructed II Denmark has tue
slightest desire 10 sell her Islands our Govern
meni should be- prepared To reap the advantage
~ that disposition II the failure of the former
treaty makes Denmark reluctant again 10 rlsk
a rejection of her offer. We might wcil aIter
bolny well satisfied Of the wisdom OF present
ACQUISITION reach an understanding nnofiicihIiy
which would save the Danish dignity. A'chance
io obtain n much needed haven In the Antlll"s
hy purchn.c from frcndly Government. ana
in conformity with the inclination ot ne III
hohif,nfs transferred should not be lightly ds-
.I