The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-31
AS TO PURCHASE OF THE DANISH
WEST INDIES

In view of the unsettled condition of our
newly acquired island possessions and of
our policy regarding them 1t is somewhat
considering the purchase of the Danish
West Indies. How much or how serious
consideration the matter is receiving is not
known, but 1t certainly is under considera-
ton. A bill has been introduced in Con-
gress and is now before the foreign rela-
lions committee of the House authorizing
the purchase of the islands for 100000.
The recent resignation of the Danish Min
istry. from the prime minister down, is
said to have been due 20 popular dssatis-
faction and clamor in Denmark against the
sale of the islands as directed by the King
and his Cabinet In the agreement it was
stipulated that the sale should be made be-
fore the adjournment of the present Con-
gress, so il anything is done in the matter
1t is likely to be done soon. 1t has also
States did not purchase the islands Ger
many would take them on long lease 1t
is known that they represent annual
deficit of considerable sum to Denmark
and that the government would like to get
rid of them, though the people seem to feel
differently. Since 1868. a period of thirty
two years, only in three years have the
revenues of the islands equaled the ex-
penditures. The deficits i'm the other
twenty-nine years have ranged from about
M
year the deficit was siS25OO. The islands
possess great agricultural resources, espe-
cially for the production of sugar. and
under good government and with an enter
prising population might become very pros
porous ana valuable. There are three of
them, ST. Croix, better known as Santa
Cruz, st. Thomas, and st. John. st. Thorn
as is about thirteen miles long and three
wide. with one of the finest harbors in the
world, and a population of 1900 mostly
colored. st. Croix contains about seventy
four square miles. of which sixty-eight are
tillable. and a population of about 1900,
mostly colored. St John is a little insular
annex of st. Thomas and contains about
1000 Inhabitants. They all lie a short dis
tance southeast of the eastern end of Porto
Rico. Their location with reference to the
Caribbean and the approaches to the
Nicaragua canal is such as TO give them
strategic value, and the harbor of st.
Thomas, noted the world over, is much
finer than any in Porto Rico. Whether the
possession of Porto Rico makes that of the
strategic point of view is for naval experts
to say, but the fact that the question of
purchasing the islands is under considera-
ton would seem to indicate that their pos
session is deemed desirable. Ii was so re-
garded thirty years ago. and the United
States came very near buying them. Secre-
tary Seward. who negotiated the purchase
of Alaska. also negotiated a treaty for the
purchase of the Danish West Indies. In
his third annual message. of Dec. 3. 1867
President Johnson commented at some
length on the Importance of the United
States obtaining ports and harbors in the
West Indies. and said:
| agree with our early statesmen that the
West Indies naturally gravitate TO. and
may be expected ultimately 10 De absorbed
by the continental states. including our
own I agree with them also that IL Is wise
TO leave the question of such absorption to
this process OF natural political gravita-
ton. The Islands of st. Thomas and St.
John. which constitute part of the group
called the Virgin Islands. seemed to offer
us advantages Immediately desirable. while
their acquisition could be secured in har-
mony with the principles TO which have
alluded. A treaty has therefore been con-
Guided with the King of Denmark for the
cession OF those islands. and will be SUBJ
mitted to the Senate for consideration.
The treaty of cession had already been
signed In October previous. and was the