Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-19
WANT TO JOIN UNCLE SAM
Mr. Mondesire Says This is the Sentiment in
British Yves. Indies.
He RecOunts the Causes which Have
Led Up to This and Rea-
sons for Change.

In signed article dated ST. kits, Brit
ish West Indies, June IL. Augustine Mon
desire discusses the question of the annex
alton to the United States of the British
possessions IN the West Indies. He says:
Is there room at Uncle Sans freside for
another adopted son? II so there are
100000 free, intelligent, industrious, peo-
pie willing and anxious to throw in their
lot with the United States. Matters here
have gone from bad to worse, owing to
the neglect of the British government and
the indifference TO our petitions and thus
once prosperous country although ex-
ceedingly fertile, is being gradually 1e-
duced 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
Tor territory recently acquired in the orient
Inc 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 isands-with the
consequent curtailement in the expenditure
OF the plantations, made ii clearly appar-
eht that powerful and pernicious agency
Ill the shape of the export bounties granted
by Germany and other countries to their
sugar producers, was at work, which, il
unchecked, would eventually make IL i'm
possible for the inhabitants of the islands
to live and thrive. The apathy and utter
indifference OF the British government TO
inns state of things has convinced the in
tellgent section of the people that there
Is no prospect that John Bull will alter
ms course or will take steps for their pro-
lection.
Summed up, our reasons for seeking a
change of flags are follows:
l. Because the persistent refusal of the
british government in spite of thirty years
OF agitation, petitions and appeals of vari-
Gus kinds, to do simple justice TO them in
the matter of sugar bounties has reduced
the people TO poverty and despair and has
released them from all claim to loyalty and
grateful allegiance TO the mother country
= Because the expensive and eXtrava-
CANT administration maintained in the col
onies against the will of the people entails
heaVy and oppressive taxation which is
entirely out of proportion TO the slender
ana woefully reduced means of the inhab-
itants.
J. Because the contguity of the islands
to the United States makes the latter coun-
Try the natural market for their prod
ucts, and as the bulk of the exports goes
TO the United States it is only a question of
time for the bulk of the imports to come
from there also.
/. Because in very short time the popu-
lation of the United States will number
lW.ue0,oe9. and as Americans are among
TIE largest consumers of sugar in the world
Incorporation with the United States would
SN-'AAe'iAtNN Ni4t west lHNlSS a permanent,
remunerative market for their staple prod
uct, in which they would find protection
from unfair competition.
% Because the population of the United
States Is essentially English, and under
republican institutions fun political liberty
and equal rights of citizenship are the
hrthright of all, irrespective of race, creed
or class.
6. Because AZ 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 starya-
non at any moment This precarious and
absolute dependence on the grace of a for
elgn government is very undesirable, and
should come to end.
a. Because with an assured protecter
market in the United States and under III,
stimulus of American energy and Ameri-
can capital industry would revive TRADE
generally would improve, the demand anI
thI remuneration for labor would increas.
the wholesale exodus of the cream of tn,
population, which is now taking place
would be arrested. the cloud of poverty
and depression which hangs like a pal
over the islands, would be lifted and al
classes would be richer, happier, better of
and more contented than they are under
the hopeless and depressing conditions that
as result Of the apathy of the British
government now exist