The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-04


known harbor that might be made
available for ships and groves OF coffee.
bananas and spices.
Not many years ago this island OF 81.
Thomas was the seat OF a large and
widespread commerce. and the town
was so rich that Mexican silver dollars
were taken through the streets every
hour OF the day by the CARLOAD. Char
iotte Amalia has always been q free
port
Having lived In various parts OF the
United states. can understand the as
tonishment OF your people when I tell
them that all sorts OF goods here are
less than half what they are with
them. III a person have little money
ahead or a fairly good income. he can
come out here and live like a prince''
on much less than in any part of the
United States.
But. of course. while we have tele-
phones. teIegraphs and cable lines and
are in a way in touch with the world
beyond the sea. there are many things
that might be missed by one accustom-
ed to all the latest luxuries OF civiliza-
ton. Here in st. Thomas II Is about
the same routine day after day. We
the heat later on. take "A cup Of coffee
or a drink of cocoanut water and a
biscuit or two and then go to the place
Of business AT noon all stores and
public Offices are closed up tight, to stay
so till about 3 o'clock, when. after hav-
ing had breakfast and siesta. we be-
gin the rounds again. At or we dine.
and i'm the cool of the evening we take
a stroll along the wharfs or out TO the
fields 10 see a cricket match between
the boys or else take sail on the bay.
Sometimes a man-of-war comes In.
and then we have a ball, given by the
governor, who lives in very handsome
house und draws a salary OF $4,000 a
year. He is a pretty good governor.
and. on the whole, the Danish rule In
wise and tolerant; still there are few
grinding monopolies. against which the
people have for years protested in vain.
One is the drug monopoly. which Is en-
tirely controlled by one man. who. like
his father before him. has grown rich
by exactions from the poor. Then,
again, there is but one paper published
here, which, as its influence would be
gone should the Americans take the is
lands. is an uncompromising opponent
OF annexation As this Is the only pa
per allowed within the colony. 1t will
be understood that whatever 1t prints
is taken abroad as the expression or
the people. while IL may not represent
public opinion at all. but only imperial
monopoly.
These are about the worst of our
grievances, the greatest of our evils be-
ing poverty, which is almost universal
now that the steam lines have sought
other routes and commerce has aban-
doned our port. A steamer from the
United States calls here once or twice
month, but at present there is no other
direct communication with your coun-
try.
Now and then we hear that the ques-
tion OF annexation is again agitated In
the States, apd the papers tell us that
quite recently your secretary OF war.
Mr. Root, and one of your senators. MIR.
Lodge, have made speeches in which
they advocated the purchase of our Is
lands as coaling and commercial sta
tions. III this be true. i want them to
know that "Barkis is willin." so far
as the common people 60. and that our
merchants, who constitute the most In
fiuential portion OF the community, are
anxious for the time when American
ships shall come here again and cause
commerce to revive, for that annexation
to the United States means revival
of prosperity few here doubt.
So If you Americans want the islands
rather guess" you can get them. and
for less than half the price formerly
agreed upon, or about s3,000.0o0 for the
whole group.
They are well worth that, with their
tropical climate, their diversified pro-
ductions and their facilities for unsur-
passed winter resorts, with beautiful
scenery and opportunities for outdoor
pleasures.
While | do not believe that anything
can be done unless King Christian sees
that s3000.000 virtually in his posses
sion, remembering what happened on
former occasion. there Is no real reason
why the purchase cannot be made.
KARL III. SVENSON.
81 " q n