The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-15
DANISH WEST INDIES
THEY ARE AN EXPENSIVE
 LUXURY TO DENMARK.
And are Said to be Offered to the United States for $5,0o0, 900. Harbor of St. Thoas--Islands
 Once Great Trading Center.

Philadelphia Ledger.
 The Danish West Indies are part of the small bodies of lands, all but two belong ing to Great Britain. The Danish islands are St. Thomas and St. John, of the Wir- gin group, and St. Croix, which lies to the fertile of the three. St. Thomas harbor is one of the best in the West Indies, and at one time was great centre of trade, but it's importance has greatly diminished since 1870.
 The Virgin Islands were discovered by Columbus In 1893 and St. Thomas was first colonized by the Dutch century and a half later. St Croix, or as Ii Is usually called, Santa Cruz, was settled by the Dutch in 1925. and later small settlements were made at St. Thomas. but the Dutch left to go to New York, and St Thomas was occupied by the Danes in 1871, and St. Johns in 1719. The original settlements were by the Danish West India and Guinea Company. Santa Cruz was bought from the French in 17S3. and the control of the entire group passed under the con- trol of the King of Denmark in 1734.
 The early history of these islands is re- plete with the power of the buccaneers, the Spanish Main. but who were gradu- ally expelled. as the islands in turn re- ceived stable governments. They followed the decline of Spanish authority. and were in fact. instrumental in expelling the Spanards. Their career covered al- most the entire seventeenth century and, supported as they were 0Y the WnlIe res ldents of the islands in their welfare against Spain, it is not too much to say that they were deserving of some praise and admiration, t.
 during the next two centuries to it's neu- tral position The nations which had a foothod in the West Indies were almost continually at war. and the land locked comm0dious harbor of St. Thomas. a free mort reaped the great harvest of unin- terrupted trade. Merchant vessels, men of-war. pirates and privateers met on an equal footing there, to trade and to pur- chase supplies from the merchants. But such an artificial condition declined with the succeeding years of peace, and with 1t the trade that had made many for The entire group has an area of 133 square miles and population of about 32 GOO St Thomas has an area of about 23 square miles and population of 12,000, most of whom reside at Charlotte Amalie. the capital and seaport. Once the Island was devoted to the culture of cane sugar. but the acreage has steadily decreased and inc town Is now practically depend- ent on it's business as port of call and coaling station. There are several de- posits of copper and manganese ore near CharIotte Amalie. which give some prom Ise of future wealth. French, German, English and American steamship lines make St Thomas a regular port of call and each maintains cOaling stations
 St John has an area of R square miles, bnt has a population of under 300 and IS virtually ruined. St. Croix, the largest leland with an area of "A square miles is vel cultivated but its output of sugar, rnm and molasses is much less now than in recent years. Its. capital is Christian sted the other principal town being F'riederi, hsted. There are no harbors at St Croix. th- two towns being on open roadsteads, approached over treacherous eboaIs In striking contrast to St. Thom- as inc island is lat and rolling, instead of hilly r.o-,o..o .-,,- ,-, srann the barbor is one of the most at trontiva sights in the West Indies It is h,Siit along tne water's edge. rising upon three ridg-s q delightful mass of pink rnoSs yellow and light blue houses, nest ity,s 5r1org the green hills, overlooking a sbeet of deep blue water. Fort Christian.
 Tec of 6ygGpfn is osarrTiSs safpsSS.d sS sv on ths sa'o5. mSeeoa &aar it Is a handsome barracks occupied SGRd by company, of 2, Danish troops. The town Pr2Pc5 $ He sep4sSs lSia Sst and Drs-