The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-15
WAS NOT ONLY TALKED OF BUT
TALKEDlTo DEATH
A new SCHEME is SPRUNG
Annexation by Canada Proposed as a
Cure for the Industrial Ills Of
the Country
Press Special Wire.

movement for the annexation Of Jamaica
10 the United States is sealed, says the
Kingston, Jamaica, correspondent Of the
been talked over, talked 10 death ard al
lowed to drop. This has not been owing
to the lack Of sympathy from the better
informed colonis;s and those whose ma
Of The island. 1t may safely be said that
these, to a man, favored the proposition.
Otherwise, indeed, 1t would never have
reached the Importance tina, it did at :he
outset But the color prejudice proved too
strong, and even those who realized mos.
clearly the magnitude of the crisis and the
completeness Of the solution that annexa-
ton would afford. dreaded to face the per-
sonal antagonsm that their supper, Of the
movemen; would invoke. Hence, when the
full strength OF popular opposition was
felt. open sympathy promptly vanished.
The gravity OF the crisis remains unal-
tered. however and the darkness of the
shadow Of industrial gloom cast over the
island by the prospective annexation o.
Cuba and Porto Rico 20 the United
States is in no way relieved by his con-
cession TO an unreasoning popular preju-
dice.
In bes; informed circles II is felt that.
facing demand for annexation 20 the
United States Is an alternative that no rep
| sen .ations that the Barbados conference
may make to the imperial government will
p, oduee the least effect on the policy Of
the home authorities. For this reason
there Is already on foot an alternative an
nexation proposal which. while not nearly
so promising as that for the admission to
In, United States. We. holds out some pros
poet for relief from the crisis that surely
threatens the island,
The proposal now is 70 seek admission in
to the Canadian Dominion. While the sugar
market is not so long as tina; of the United
States 1t is better than no market at all.
On the other hand. there viii be no change
in nationality and the color question will
rot be touched There are two cardinal
points at issue, and It is believed Canadian
annexation would assimia:e them and rec
oncile all conflicting interests so as to be
the most practicable solution obtalnable.
On this there seems to be an agreemen; OF
popular entiment. L. is not proposed, how
ever, 20 take any definite steps in the mat
| ter until the Barbados conference has
proved It's utility or otherwise. And no
idea of the outlook can be formed here
until mail advices are received of the course
of the deliberations of the conference. This
will not be until the end of this week, for
al hough there is telegraph line to the
Barbados The tolls are so prohibi,ive as
| 20 preclude Its use. Tha; the Dominion
government ard the people of Canada are
favorably disposed. not only to the annex
alton OF Jaimaca but of the British West
| indies as a whole is strong poin. in the
propaganda and the Canadian agent here,
one of the brightest and most popular bust
ress men Of Kingston. is Just the sort Of
man to work up the movement Its pop
ularity at both ends is :he best augury of
lis ultimate success. The Canadian agent.
George F.. Burke, In an interview. ex-
planned that the annexation of the island
10 The Dominion, while affording imme date
relief and the possibility of future expan-
sion of he island, would bring 70 the grea.
northern country jus; precisely wha; she
most needs-.hat Is. a tropical annexation.
To England II would mean that while she
retained her sovereignty her Ministers
would at once be relieved Of the proble m
of providing for the future Of he island,
problem that has up 70 the present time
been battling them, and for which no other
solution Is obtainabe.
Annexation would furthermore be but a
fuller development. Of the negotiations that
are now actually in progress between the
Dominion and Great Britain. looking 20 the
establishment OF better trade relations be-
tween the former and the West Indian
colony, particularly in :he matter of su-
gar. Mr. Chamberlain, the British Colon
ial Secretary, could with ease settle the
whole West Indian problem on these lines.
cid he so please, but for some reasons he
does not appear to approve Of his course.
Il is, however. believed that his powerful
or determining influence may be enls ed
nv sufficient pressure in the form of con-
yiacing arguments 70 be brought to bear
The West indies would be easily swallowed
I'M in The Dominion. Their entire land
area Is not more than ,hree-flfths that of
the province Of Nova Scotia, while he ag-
gregate popula ton Is but a million and a
half. and tina. of Canada Is about 5000, 900.
The present expenditure is s97C0,0c0, as
against a revenue Of 49, 500, 900. but the re-
adjustment under the Dominion, together
WI; h the impetus given to industry and com
merce. is regarded os affordng a sure
promise Of an immediate turning Of the
balance
British Guiana remains to be considered
II IL by no means certain that Canada
would care TO be burdened with that enor-
nous extent OF additional undeveloped and
scarcely even explored territory. She al
ready has enough to spare of that sort at
home. But provision must be made for the
magnificent province, and with but little
ercoura gemen. from the United States i;
could be secured for the United States. It's
utility to the United States as a foothold
IN he great southern continent canno. be
oyeres .imated, although is positive value
as such appertains to the future rather
than the present-inevi.able future when
the United States will have to assume au-
hor,ty over the turbulent States Of the
South. SO far as can be learned there
would be no strong, II any, opposition in
the colony itself to annexation to the
United States. There the color question
Is solving itself by slow emigration and
the cool,e would not prove a factor for
consideration. For the rest, the population
e of a polyglo. nature, such as would rem
der It readily susceptible to assimilation
with the United States.
The acquisition Of the colony could be
arranged readily enough either by purchase
or exchange. England has no interests in
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