The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
What VIII Become OF the British West
IndieS?

The movement for annexation to the
United States which wa started among
the white inhabitants Of Jamaica has been
temporarily checked owing to the vehement
opposition Of the negroes, who constitute q
largo majority Of the population. The ne
groes. indeed. outnumber the whites In the
proportion Of about fifty to one. The i'm
preston L. widespread among the blacks In
the West Indies that, as American citizens,
they would have less liberty than they now
enjoy as subjects Of the British Grown.
There is certainly no foundation for the
notion In the case Of q Grown colony
like Jamaica. where the public affairs Of
the island are practically controlled by
appointees of the Colonial ONCE. Never
theless, the feeling prevails, and the re-
cent proofs Of 1t may prevent o discussion
Of the annexation question in Its original
form ct the Intaroolonid Conference to be
held Gt BaEbadoes. The question may CONF
up however, In the alternative shape Of an
nexation to the Dominion Of Canada which
might afrOrd partial relief to tho sugar pro-
ducerS Of the British Antilles, provided
th0s0 could secure a monopoly Of the Cana
dian market.
Whether the British West Indies can re-
cover in the twentieth century the prosper
lily which distinguished them In tho eigh-
teenth, depends upon the willingness Of
the homo Government to apply drastic
remedies instead Of palHattves for the en-
listing depression Of the sugar industry In
those islAnds. The attempt to induce the
European producers Of beet sugar to aban-
don the bounty system, which enables that
product to DO sold in England for less
than cost has definitely failed. The 10
cent conference Gb Brussels came to moth
ing, although Germany, Austria Holland
and Belgium werO willing to abolish boun-
ties. because Russia and France refused to
aocedo to tho proposal. The last named
power scarcely hesitates 10 avow its desire
to kill highlands su0ap-growing colonies,
including Queensland and tho MaurtttuA,
as well as the West Indies. tits because
the French comprehend that bountios dam
age tho British Empire moro than they
hamper the French taxpayer that they're
fuse 10 r0nounce them. England could, OF
COURSE. effOctually parry tho stroke aimed
ct her gugar-pToduoln0 colonies by impos-
ing duties upon foreign sugars equivalent
to the bountiea But. as this would raise
the price Of sugar In Great Britain. neither
Of the principal political parties seems
willing to face tho protests which such q
transaction would exotic OF the part Of
the industrial population 1t L. foreseen,
moreover, that the imposition Of duties
upon bountyNenoouraged beet sugars for
the purpose Of fostering the growth Of
cane sugar In the British colonies would
provoke demands on the part Of grain
growers in tho Omitted Kingdom Tor similar
protection against foreign cereals. Ibssems
that tho British West Indies cannot expect
any thorough ouro for the prostratton Of
their sugar industry % Long a they retain
their present political position
The eupsdiAntA. 10 which the Secretary
for the Colonies had rScoursO IN the last
session Of Parliament would undoubtedly
be described by Mr. CHAMBERLAIN himsAlf
az mere DOdGttvaA intended to give tran
sient relief from S1ftoring. These expOdL
ents were three, and they were 10 be sup
Elementary b the gTsnA Of 100000 pre-
viously voted. In the nrst plaza Mr.
C-HANDnnnAm ASkSd the House Of Com
mons 10 guarantee 3 pGr cant for tan years
on . sum OF 90. 10000 which was 10 b Cd
vanoOd by prtvSbS capitalists. fOrthe purpoSO
Of erecting modal sugar FACTORIES IN BaEbA-
doeA Antigua and b KIttA Parliament
waS slSo r0QueDoSdtO SnthnrtzS thOpaymsnA
Of $4,000 this vOAS and el4S,ooo annually
hsr04ftGR 70 hEtnS about improved OOmmn-
euloIImbStWoSn the w. Indios on tAe ON.
hand and oanAdA New YOGk md London
0ptbO0thR bs1d1eAalahAttngo0guHnniOAD
1bAYoG94hAhA44gahNmaAy0A fAAAN.