The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-18

islands to the United States makes the
latter country the natural market for
exports go to the United States it is
their products, and as the bulk of the
only question of time for the bulk of
the imports to come from there also.
Fourth-Because in a very short time
the population of the United States will
number 100,0000O0. 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 remunerative
market for their staple product in
which they would find protection from
unfair competition.
Fifth-BecauSe the population of the
United States is essentially English.
and under republican institutions full
political liberty and equal rights of citi-
zenship are the birthright of all, ire
spectiVe of race, creed or class.
Sixth-Because at any time the Unit
ed States government may. by a change
in their tariff law, discriminate against
the West Indies and, there being no
other available market for the staple
product of these islands, the peonle are
liable to be reduced to starvation at
any moment. This precarious and alb
solute dependence on the grace of a for
eign government is very undesira BILE
and should come to an end.
Seventh-Because with an assured
protected market in the United States
and under the stimulus of American
energy and American capital industry
would revive, trade generally would i'm
prove. the demand and remuneration
for labor would increase, the wholesale
exodus of the cream of the population
which is now taking place would be ar
rested the cloud of poverty and depres-
sion which hangs like a pail over the
island would be lifted and all classes
would be richer happier better off and
more contented than they are under the
hopeless and depressing conditions
that. as a result of the apathy of the
British government, now exist
West Indians, generally speaking,
have never interested themselves in
politics. They are an easy-going, con-
tented lot and, so long as they We're
able to get the wherewithal to support
existence were Indifferent to how they
were governed. But now that actual
starvation, as a result of the collapse
of the sugar industry, has become a
probability of the near future they are
awakening and the murmurs which
precede q great outbreaking may he
heard from the dissatisfied masscs. The
long pent-up feeling is finding vent in
the cry, annexation to the United
States" The officials. their dependents,
and few weak-kneed sentimentalists
may be counted on to oppose the move
ment to THE best of their ability. The
press, generally speaking, which repre-
sents and voices the opinions of "the
classes" rather than of "the Masses
will remain loyal to its patrons. But
the bulk of the people will be in favor
of union with the republic.
In great effort such as this we must
instinctively turn for succor to your
great people, and asked, nay beg, you
to endeavor to bring about annexation
for the benefit of a country which gave
to the United States Alexander Hamil-
ton one of its greatest statesmen-for
country which you will find loyal to
the union and which, from its advanced
educational position, you will find lit