Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-08
OUR COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.


According to statistics compiled by
the New York World, the extent OF the
colonial possessions soon to be acquired
by this country Is as follows: Cuba,
40, 200 square miles; Porto Rico, 3,35o !;
Hawaiian group, 6,640; the Philip
pines, 114,000; the Sulus, 1000; the
Carolines, 1000; Guam in Ladrones,
500; total, 171,690. Altogether, these
dependencies are about equal in area
to the New England States, New York,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The population Of these prospective
colonies is thus given: Cuba, 1,500, 900 ;
65 per cent white; Porto Rico
100000; 60 per cent white; Hawaii
$4,000; % per cent white; Philippines
q, zoo, 600; mostly Orientals; Sulus,
Caroliues and Ladrones Mainly bar
barous. T1a M
Roughly, we annex about ten million
people, Of whom 90 per cent belong to
more or less inferior races.
The resources of most Of these coun-
tries have never been calculated with
accuracy. Cuba produces sugar, coffee,
tobacco, cocoa, cotton, indigo, rice and
fruits. She has forests rich in rare
woods, and mountains Astounding in
iron, coal, copper, marble and precious
stones. The forests and the mines have
been scarcely at oil worked.
Only 10 per cent OF the arabic lands
are now under full cultivation. Seven
per cent is wholly unreclaimed, and 4
per cent of the islands area is unex-
plored forest.
The imports }of the island were
roughly estimated for 1894 at $50, 900,
600 and the exports at s95, 600, 900.
Porto Rico's products are substan-
italy the same rs those of Cuba. In
1890 the island imported sl8, 900, DOC
worth of goods and exported $40, 0O0, 600.
Hawaiian exports consist almost
wholly of sugar. Its exports amount to
s15,0J0, 600 a year; its imports to
S7,000, 900.
The Philippines produce sugar, hemp,
tobacco and, copra. Imports about
Sll.000,000 Il year; exports about $50,
600, 600.
The Sulus produce teak and sandal.
wood. No statistics Of commerce exist.
The Carolines are inhabited, by Malay
fishermen and produce nothing of value.
The LaClrones are in like condition.
The matter of climate is also consid-
cred in this connection. The Philip
pines have climate in which AMMAN
from the temperate zone can keep alive
only with tho greatest difficulty, and
can keep well only by never forgetting
for an instant to guard his health.
Malaria is the lot of all who dwell
there. Tropical fevers, tropical
plaques such as small -pox and leprosy,
thrive and prey upon natives and new.
comers The air is hot as we'll as moist,
and only the most rigid Corners from
temperate climates are able to resist
the universal, innate and incurable
idleness.
OF Hawaii we already know much
a gorgeous beauty of sky and earth, q
paradise in which turks ieprosy.
In both these domains the only posi-
BILE labor that is commercially pro.
ductive is contract labor not distin.
guishable from the harshest slavery.
This fact is due chiefly to the climate.
In Cuba the semi-tropical climate
makes conditions tolerable only by the
acclimated byinheritance.R Residence al
the year round in the Cuban cities and
plains is impossible for the white races.
The heat and the diseases bar tn.
white laborer.
Porto Rico, called "the most health
full of the Antilles,'' is a delightful
winter resort. But white men from the
United States will never live there
longer than for the brief winter season
And this aggregation Of evils thu
United States government is asked mo-
only to accept, but to pay 800, 600, COZ
for. What an amazing farce it all is.