The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-15
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, TUESDAY. AUGUST 10.
THAT HIN JAMAICA TRADE.

THAT HIN JAMAICA TRADE.
The Chicago Ttmes-Heraid. modestls'
disclaiming any purpose Of speaking for
the national administration, renews It's
novel suggestion that Jamaica be traded
for the panhandle Of Alaska. II APP
pears surprised that the Post-Intelli-
gsncer should be SO unreasonable as to
oppose the exchange and declares there
are abundant and constantly multiply
ing reasons why the United States
should acquire IL tJamaicaD and thus
dies over islands that are geographical
~ a part of this continent To that end
IL Is proposed TO abandon our sover-
eighty over valuable territory that is
not only geographically. but actually Il
part of this continent, and -. besides,
the keystone 10 the whole Alaskan sit
uation.
Tie cities Of the Pacific Northwest
ere condescendingiy assured that there
by the exchange. because the Britain
policy of open ports would guarantee
trading privileges almost as valuable as
those now enjoyed" Indeed,. The sa-
picnt Chicago wholesale dealer in is
lands ard continents ovsrlooks the
fact that The generous British policy OF
open ports is a dsIusion and a snare so
far as tt applies 10 Canada. and that
the American traders would run coun-
Icy ~ half-open ports. which means
discrimination against everything from
the United States I. woald not he safe
To assume that Great Britain would ac-
quire the Alaskan panhandle for any
ether purpose than to piacate Canada
and turn 1t over Ia the Dominion. II
may be interesting Information also for
our esteemed Chicago contemporary to
know that the chief reason the United
mining fields of Northwest Territory is
that II controls absolutely the customs
situation on Lynn canal. the oniy prac-
tlcahle entrance to the kiondike except
the Lower Yukon,. and IL In position 10
dictate and enforce terms.
The Chicago champion Of the rum
jamaica bargain proceeds - illuminate
its argument by quoting a few statls-
ties. designed To show that the island
IL rich In It's resources and important, in
It's commerce. II has &.@oo square miles.
1.-The total number of acres under caitf-
walton and care in 1897 was ega. s60. IT
which COS. als were under pasture. - "a
were devoted Re- sugar care. a..sST 20 cot
fyv. r. gfa "a bananas, t0.7as "a cnccanuts.
i.6ii Ca cocoa. tssa IN pinteuta and S1. 20
to ground provisions. Its registered ship
ping consists oe tss sailing vessels Of
s,esa tons. II has I'm operation N, miles
81 railway and 9s1 miles uf telegraph.
The total experts of iSaS amounted 20
1,tts.sI pounds and ~ the imports 1850.
Co. pounds. the hitter including vast
quantities If iieur. lumber. rice, soap.
hardware and Gallery"
An ,his Is more ar less interesting.
But the significant FACTS about the is-
land are emitted OF all I.nelan''s cn,s,~
MICS. none has given nloge trouble. From
Ire time Cromwell seized ausi sen; too
Irish nlaidous ans .sse common wofYae II
to jamaica fer the avowesi purpose e
increasing the population. down ,a the
bloody uegro ogihrsak st 1865 the fate!
Island isaS been the arena az fapsne
murder and wholesale tioo1shp.i is5r.
Royal was once shs sairrSt ami WEALTH.
est of English cities in she New Worsa
Bus for social ard political reasons Ct
Is Bow oslix an uniMport&nt povt iss
commerce has faiiea inga decay. It's
white reputation IS ba: fraction -
what IL onee wAs. The island Is over
ran with neeToys, Ne white man stays
there who ean by ans Possibility ga
away. ana nooe ever goes their v 10 IS
Informed 1T the ii.s.snfaiisine s. ,asslssoux.
England. the gfeatess ~ eoloatxsug TIA
stons. has ssgnally satleSi in Jamaica
Gould America venture eu an export
men, With an island Infested With =
race 81 newross uotosse0Slr vissoas ani
,sxv ard Incapable - vese~swasgaaT is
masca is bat little better than peasl
eoioay,
II The Tines Herald viii Investigate