New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-08
PART III.
EIGHT PAGES.
TIE DANISH WEST INDIES.
BY FREDERICK A. ODER.

II may be all newspaper talk merely. this
,nsstent ruInor that the United States really in
ends TO acquire at last those tropical islands
,,trg TO the eastward of Puerto Rico now owned
bv the Danes. for the real urgency of their ac-
ouisition has passed.
There was time. and no longer than two years
go when the one small harbor OF St. Thomas
.o- o. its only town. Charlotte Amalia) might
have been regarded as an Invaluable possession.
-, So long as we cling to the island Of Puerto
Rjco the exigenSy will never recur that made
Hso.
The writer has again and again set forth the
manifest advantages Of that harbor as a coaling
station for our cruisers and battleships but his
.--sr,es were written when there seemed no pos
s;I,iiiry for the acquisition Of any other bit Of
-l,0ra a~ coast within West Indian waters Since
.sa, the conditions have suddenly and radically
banged. for when the Spanish island fell TO us
the most ardent expansionist extant had the
wind taken out Of his sails" and had nothing
more 10 say
And this is written by one who had persist
ertlv urged the taking of St Thomas. either by
,oan or purchase for so long time that more
than one paper alluded to him as "a garrulous
.r,nerialsr' even before they We're quite Ger
-air as 10 The exact meaning Of the term.
But not 20 be- diverted from the main ques-
fisn-thar there can no longer be urged the plea
NJ erle-gency-on what grounds can we take
possession of an island or group Of islands that
now offered 10 Us al less than half the original
price
THE COST REDUCED.
Thircv-odd years ago the upset price fo'
.rrea-St Thomas. Santa Cruz and St J1sss
was s. 100000. ana a suggestion of S5000,0>c as
= tentative offer was scornfully refused.
The Danes knew well enough that there
not another island or group of islands in the
market nor likely TO he until the great loosen
ing OF bonds OF breaking loose Of great waters
rather. which the prescient mind Of the Danish
King now foresees-
Ee knows now, that the restraining force is
weakened. the spell dissolved, by which the
lesser bodies OF the Caribbean Sea have hith-
erro been prevented from flying TO the greater
body Of the United States. In short, he cannot
but perceive that We are about to enter into
our own, gather home chickens, fulfil our
des1iuv-cau il what you will so it happen
and that alone is sufficient TO cause the drop
in price TO S30O00 600. He does not receive the
interest on that sum to-day from these islands
from all tie sugar and molasses Of Santa Cruz,
the bay rum Of ST. Thomas and the spices Of
St John combined; on the contrary, there is
an annual deficit OF al least ; per cent on
100000.
As 10 the consent Of the inhabitants as
some one tmorously suggests should first be
obtained. that was given long years ago. King
Christian ascertained that the population Of
the three islands was unanimous in its opinion
that II wanted 10 be united 70 the United States.
Not that il loved good old King Christian less,
but Uncle Sam more; because its very interest
was with our country. So since We are assured
that the Danes willing, there need be no
hesitancy about the coIonists, for they are more
their allegiance TO sovereign Of Europe. and
forming new ties with American soveregns in
their own right. Yes. Of that there may be no
doubt; annexation purchase by the United
States would prove a blessing to these islands.
Still, thai is not the view we are supposed to
take-what IS best for them, but what is best
fer Us Ultimately, doubt, they would prove
profitable 10 US in a material way, for trade
would revive. disused plantations and estates
would become available, and the half exploited
resources OF the islands would be developed.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS.
Then there are the Intangible results Of ac-
QUESTION such as the pleasure TO be derived
from beautiful scenery, which we may enjoy
without the corroding thought that it belongs
10 a foreign potentate. and that are here
only On sufferance- There are different beau
ties in each island: the beauty OF Santa Cruz
areas OF sugar cane. That Of St Thomas con-
sists more IN contour than in verdurous land
scape; its hills are rugged and its bays are
deep tndentattons in a chocolate colored coast.
T the island were hattened out II might pre-
sent quite respectable area for cultivation;
but most OF il stands pretty much Ion end"
and the torrential rains Of centuries have about
deHuded the hills Of trees and shrubs. But the
writer can recall many pleasant rambles in that
Island; OF Iramps over the hills TO harp shaped
bay, lonely and neglected, north Of Charlotte
Amalia, ideal harbor; Of little caves and
bathing beaches, scattered here and there, TO
be reached IN an hour or so on foot And the
town itself IS one OF the pretttest anywhere to
be seen, tilted UP against a mountain back
ground. itself perched upon three rounded hills,
with narrow streets and flights Of steps lead
ing aimlessly 70 nowhere except It might be
10 garden or one time imposing mansion.
Some one has written Of St. John that it had
nothing but al thought OF il the writer shifts
gales Of spice and incense, sees in Renaissance
snowy sands. and hears the ripple Of brooks;
again threads the pfInento thickets in pursuit
~ mountain pigeons: looks down upon glorious
Coral Bay where a navy might float secure
from hurricanes, but where even canoe is
rarely seen.
Some one has called the islands ''Virgins';
bur no. they are saints; ST. Thomas. q sour old
ceiiba1e. sunburned and austere; St. John
s"f-el and iovable and Santa Cruz, the Holy
Ifoss Columbus named them all he sailed
PAS ana 10 the other isles and isIets which in
- am distance he saw swimming in golden
.-Ala ne gave the name OF Virgins. after the
-sfneo s.. Ursula and her hapless eleven thou
s~nd Torrola, the Turtle Dove is the chief Of
1-ese ana Virgin Gorda-the Fat Virgins re- !
ss-t-o richest in copper and gold. Both are
.-sa possessions. both are stricken by a pow