The evening times., 1899-03-28
a CRISIS IN JAMAICA
People Indignant BccauSc of T.igh
Tax imposition

| Port Antonio, Jamaica. March eS.-This
| island of Jamaica, British West Indies. is
| passing through severe crisis. The gov
ernor is afraid TO occupy his residence
and if anarchism does not break OUT il wi |
| be entirely due TO the uneQualed loyalty
| of the people.
Though the island is taxed 10 its utmost
capacity, with a tariff OF 90 per cent on
necessaries, a weak government in order
TO provide funds TO prevent the reduction
of its members salaries, has actually in
troduced higher tariff.
The salaries of the Jamaica officials
amount TO nearly 80 per cent OF the rcve-
nue. collectible. The people while wiling
10 support these officials. have not the
means TO do il.
The home government will moi permit
counteryailing duties, and thus the sugar
industry is crippled.
Coffee can find no market owing 10 the
enormous output of the world, and banana
growing is the only industry To which the
people can look as means OF support
Dependence upon even this article VII
soon be impossible. The Boston Fruit
Company, which controls the industry in
Jamaica, is confronted by keen competition
in Central America and Cuba and has been
compelled TO reduce the purchasing price
of bananas to 80 cents bunch with the
PCooibilliS Va Il lISI REDUCTION II CUBAN
bananas should be admitted to the United
States free of duty. Under these clrcum-
stances the cultivation of the fruit nv
small settlers would be impossible and the
peace of the island would be seriously
threatened.
Jamaica then will be driven by the Brit
ish government to anarchism or perhaps
worse, rebellion.
The island Parliament is in session. and
the peoples representatives are fighting
hard to throw out the tariff bills as a meas
ure OF relief and as the government side
is further strengthened by an additional
four members to outvote the people it will
succeed.
The whole country is aroused and indig-
nant. The governor is afraid to remain AT
his residence.
He is always travelling away from it, and
today he is under the protection of the
American flag, being a guest of the presi
dent of the Boston Fruit Company, at this
place.
For many months there has been in
tense dissatisfaction among Jamaicaps
with their treatment by the British gov
ernment. With the sugar industry ruined.
aid was asked from the imperial govern
ment. But Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
in effect replied that aid would be impossi-
placed directly under the control of the
British authorities. This the Jamaicans
regarded as involving too radical a change
In their form OF government since ii would
place them in the position of crown colo
ny, whereas under their present constitu-
tion the Jamaican legislative council con-
trolls the finances of the island
Mr. Chamberlain's proposition being TN
acceptable, Jamaicans decided that their
only salvation lay in vigorous retrench-
ment. In expressing their determination
to effect economies which would involve
imperial officers salaries. Jamaicans an
tagonized the latter, who retaliated by her
functory economic reforms making very
slight aggregate savings at the expense of
jamaican holders of petty government Of
fees, and by the abolition of sanitary and
medical offices, the weather bureau, and
the like. This intensified the bitterness of
the Jamaicans, and when the government
measure for an increased tariff was intro
duced in the legislative council that body
indefinitely postponed consideration of it.
The council, besides ten government of
icials, comprises fourteen members elect
ed by the people, one from each province.
and any number not exceeding ten whom
the Queen or governor may appoint. When
his tariff measure met defeat the governor
adjourned the council that he might use
the crown prerogatiye for the first time
since the constitution was adopted, fifteen
to force the bill to passage The council
has now reassembled, and the contest over
the measure is resumed, with the govern
ment numerically strong enough to achieve
its end. .na