The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-22
Want 10 Become a Part Of the United
StAteB

In signed article dated ST. Kits.
British West Indies June -, Angus
tine Mondesjre discusses the question
Of the annexation to the United States
Of the British possessions IN the West
Indies. He says:
Is there room at Uncle Sam 5 iireside
for another adopted son; II so, there
are 800, 600 free, intelligent. industr'
Gus people willing and anxious 10 throw
in their lot with the United States.
Matters here have gone from bad TO
worse, owing to the neglect Of the Brit
ish government and the indifference TO
our petitions, and thus once prosper
Gus country, although exceedingly fer
tile, is being gradually reduced TO its
primitive condition This has naturally
bred the greatest dissatisfaction. and
all classes of the community are united
in urging the home government to open
negotiations with the United States
| looking to an exchange Of these islands
for territory recently acquired III the
orient.
The movement in favor Of union with
the United States may be said To have
set in eighteen years ago. About that
time the great depression in the price
Of sugar the staple product Of the
islands with the consequent cuItail-
ment in the expenditure Of the planta'
tions made it clearly apparent that a
powerful and pernicious agency, IN the
shape Of the export bounties granted 10y
Germany and other countries to their
sugar producers, was ut work, which,
il unchecked, would eventually make 1t
impossible for the inhabitants Of the
islands to live and thrive The apathy
and utter Indifference Of the British
government to this state Of things has
convinced the intelligent section Of the
people that there is no prospect that
John Bull will alter his course or vii!
take steps for their protection.
Summed up, our reasons for seeking
a change of flags are as follows
l. Because the persistent refusal of
the British government. in spite Of
thirty years Of agitation. petitions and
appeals of various kinds to do simple
justice to them in the matter Of sugar
bounties has reduced the people 10 pow
erty and despair and has released them
from all claim to loyalty and grateful
allegiance to the mother country.
. Because the expensive and extray
agant administration maintained IN the
colonies against the will Of the people
entails heavy and oppressive taxation,
which is entirely out Of proportion TO
the slender and woetally reduced means
Of the inhabitants.
3 Because the coatiguity Of the
islands TO the United States makes the
latter country the natural market for
their products. and as the bulk Of the
imports to come from there also.
t. Because in very short time the
population Of the United States will
number LOG. 600. 600. and as Americans
are among the largest consumers Of
sugar in the world. Incorporation with
the United States would guarantee the
West Indie, permanent, remunerative
market for their staple product, in
which they would fad protection from
unfair'competition.
.. Because the population Of the
United States is essentially English
and under republican institutions full
political liberty and equal rights Of
citizenship are the birthright OF all,
irrespective Of race, creed or class
6. Because at any time the United
States government may, by change in
its tariff law, discriminate against the
West Indies, and, there being no other
available market for the staple product
Of these islands, the people are liable
to be reduced to starvation at any mo-
ment This precarious and absolute
dependence on the grace e foreign
government is very undesirable, and
should come TO an end.
Z. Because with an assured protected
market in the United States and under
the stimulus Of American energy and
American capital industry would re-
vive, trade generally would improve.
the demand and the remuneration for
labor would increase. the wholesale ex-
odus Of the cream Of the popula-
ton, which is now taking place
would be arrested, the cloud Of poverty
and depression which hangs like pail
over the Islands, would be lifted and
all classes would be richer, happier
batter off and more contentod than
they ale under the hopeless and de-
pressing conditions that as a result Of
the apathy of the British government
now exist.