The record-union., 1899-06-07
The Question Again Comes Prompt
y to the Front
Since the Americans Have Deposed Spanish
Rule In the West Indies.
While Jamaica is Asking for Bet
ter Commercial Relations With
the United States the People of
st. Kitts Island Have Petitioned
Sister Islands for Actual An
nexation.

Correspondence of the Associated Press9
KINGSTON (Jamaica), May 30.-The
abstract question of the political posi-
bility and the industrial and CONNER
cial desira bility Of the annexation OF
the British West Indies to the United
States is nothing new. AS matter OF
casual discussion at least it has been
on the cards since 1867. when General
Grant developed the scheme for acQuir-
ing the Danish Islands.
1t, however, remained for the Ameri-
can conquest of Cuba and Porto Rico
to awaken the English colonists to a
full realization of the outlook. The
characterization Of those two islands
presents a mysterious menace to the
industrial and commercial prosperity
of their British neighbors, and it is
only natural that the English colonists
should have been attracted by Andrew
Carnegie's suggestion to exchange the
British West Indies for the Philippines.
AS far back as August of last year
the question of securing annexation to
the United States was mooted in ia
maica. Nothing came of it, however.
circles, and the commercial community
was not wanting in sympathy with the
proposal. But, on the other hand, the
extreme antagonism of the colored pop
ulation was so marked that the most
enthusiastic anneXationistS realized the
then impracticability of a plebiscite.
Consequently, the matter was speedily
Ehelved.
The continued industrial decadence of
the islands under the unfair treatment
of the mother country and the ever
growing menace of Cuba and Porto
Rico has again brought the question
into prominence. In this case it is the
Island of ST. Kits that has taken the
initiative and made some definite
move. While Jamaica on the principle
of half a loaf being better than no
bread, insists on securing commercial
reciprocity with the United States, St.
Kits has come forward with plebis-
cite asking for actual annexation.
AS might have been expected, the
West Indian newspapers, as a whole,
being mostly in the hands of colored
men, to whom the very word American
is obnoxious, have denounced the
plebiscite and endeayored to obscure its
significance. Under the circumstance ,
the ST. kits annexationists have issued
a manifesto to the sister colonies set
ting forth their position and furnish
ing seven reasons why West Indians
should seek admission into the United
States.
s. This manifesto, signed by the most
prominent men in the island, has ex-
cited widespread attention and prom
Uses to bring the whole question to an
acute stage. Following is the text of
the reasons on which the annexation
movement is based:
i. 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 the
sugar bounties, has reduced the people
TO poverty and despair and has released
them from all claim to loyal and CRATE
1ul allegiance to the mother country.
Z. Because the expensive and eX-
travagant administrations maintained
In the colonies against the will of the
people entails heavy and oppressive
taxation. which is entirely out of pro-
portion to the slender and wofully re-
uuced means of the inhabitants
g. Because the contiguity of the
islands to the United States makes tbs
latter country the natural market fol
their products. and as the bulk of the
exports goes to the United States, it is
only question of time for the bulk OF
the imports to come from there also.
4. Because in a very short time the
population of the United States will
number 1O0OO0,000, and as Americans
are among the largest consumers OF
sugar in the world, Incorporation with
the United States would guarantee the
West Indies a permanent, remunerat tive
market for their staple products, in
which they would find protection from
unfair competition.
5. Because the populat ton of the
United States is essentially English and
under republican institutions, full po-
litieal liberty and equal rights of citi-
zenship and the birthright of all, ire
spective of race, creed or class.
6. Because at any time the United
States may. by a change in their tariff
law, discriminate against the West In.
dies, and, there being no other await
able market for the staple product ir
these islands, the people are liable t.
be reduced to starvation at any mo-
ment This precarious and absolute de-
pendence and the grace of foreign
government is very undesirable, ant
should come to an end.
Z Because with an assured, protect
ed market in the United States, ant
under the stimulus of American energy
and American capital, industry would
revive, trade generally would improve
the demand and the remuneration fol
labor would increase, the wholesale ex
odus of the cream OF the population
which is now taking place would bt
arrested, the cloud of poverty and de-
preston which hangs like pail ovel
the island would be lifted and al
classes would be richer, happier, better
off and more contented than they arr
under the hopeless and depressing con.
ditions that, as result of the apathy
of the British Government, now exist
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