New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-17
ST. THOMAS AND THE WAX.
INTEREST OF INHABITANTS OF THE DAN''h
ISLAND IN THE HOSTILITlES.

ISLAND IN THE iiOSl Ab' i''"
q, Thomas. Danish West Indies juno s-rhe
prominence given by the lIispano-Amerleah war ~
s, Thomas and the interest OF which II has been
an active centre have brought light certain cond
tens which would otherwise be known only 10
The native OF the land and to the stray traVelei
with taste FOR inquiry. 49,,
Tho interest the island takes in the war s Keen
and along with II goes popular hope that 'he
United States will eventually buy the islaho iro'"
good King Christian * and thus bring PACK the
old prosperous times
War news runs daily Up and down the street. 'o'
every one knows every one else and merchant
clerk always has time TO leave his warehouse ana
discuss Oh the sidewalk the last dispatches from
Network or to impart 10 hts friends the conndeh-
,ial communication OF newspaper correspondent
10 his employer
Every stranger in a helmet and cab Is set Gown
A.. z war correspondent by the natives This town
has seen thirty such here once and It attributes
to them all mysterious knowledge 81 war ahairs
Tbis credulitv must have been imposed upon al
times FOR there was once an alarming rumor here
OF a Spanish hombardment OF Indianapolis from the
banks Of the wabash.
Many OF the people have wondered why so many
correspondents como here. when there IL 50 niue
news I'm the region. Rut these foreigners have
money 70 spond. and 81 Thomas extends them a
RICH, roval welcome Every Industry OF the island
has nroofed by tho presence % the correspondents
and their expenditures are regarded as sample
n, the good times 10 come when the United States
buy. the islands
The popular voice IS In favor Of such uansac-
ton Frequently crowds ot ragnmuffns will parade
he streets with American flags. singing American
patriotic songs. and they dom mind shouting
cuba rihre' with malicious delight after the cT-
aspcratcd Spanish consul
ono local beneficiary ~ the has been the
Office % the West India and Panama Gable COM
many a British concern, AZ present enjoying a
,rooonoiv Many thousands % dollars have been
tsll 10 his company I'm tho last six weeks Tor the
transmission Of news 10 the United States
Tie Danish Government has. possibly. pursued
Al unW!sa p0iiDy 10 granting 20 certain mon mo
business mono dies here For instance there Is
but one drug store 90 ne Island. None nui gradu,
practise on the island
SPANISH consul \ BUSY MAN
Tho local Spanish Consul Is an active figure b.
a system Of street and CATS espionage he keeps
himself Informed Of all that goes on in Charlotte
Amalia the capital u tho island. Every move
mont OF the American ships that comes under his
notice Is communicated at once to Porto Rico or
Madrid
II an American zach. IN The harbor gets ny
steam 20 run 10 Santa CRUZ the Porto Rican gun
boats are at once notified 10 watch Tor her, and II
an American traveller shows signs OF going to tho
neighbor.ng Spanish island. tho dark-faced cafe
iopncers report 20 the Consul and Porto Rico IS
promptly notified
Tho Consul's ways are devious dark. shrouded IN
mystery ana utterly beyond the comprehension u
vanly protested 10 tho local authorities against
The cries Of cuba Iihre" from tho street boys
Of the bJafmen and cab-drlvers he employs He
must surely regret the uncensored cable enjoyed
by the newspaper men. and Sigh Tor n chance to
garble their news or throw them into ja! in the
good old Spanish way