The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-15
DANISH WEST INDIES.
How the People of Islands View
Change of Ownership.
Protected by COPYRIGHT

I don't suppose you Americans think
it matters much just how we West In
dams view a transfer of authority and
territory as between Denmark and the
United States, but at least you will
allow that, being hun an, we naturally
feel like saying something. Whether
our prospects are to be improved or
not-and, to tell the truth, they couldn't
appear much worse-we are anxious to
have a voice in the matter. We have
objected not so much to the transfer as
to being transferred like dumb cattle,
as though our opinions were not worth
considering. There is no doubt in the
world as to how the majority will vote
should it come to a plebiscite, for, to be
frank, our very existence depends upon
annexation by or connection of some
sort with the United States.
You may have read in the press a
few weeks ago that the people over IN
Santa Cruz (forty miles south OF .ot.
Thomas) held a grand Indignation
meeting and declared their continued
loyalty to old King Christian and the
Danish government. Well, but did yoa
notice the little joker appended to
those resolutions to the effect that they
hoped and prayed for better treatment
in the future? Those resolutions were
in the name of an entreaty and a
threat-in fact the -'resolutors" knew
what they were about They were
mainly of the office holding class, with
a prospective loss of jobs should the
islands be transferred to the United
States.
The situation is just this: The ISL
ands have been under DANISH controi
for many, many years, and all the
offices are filled by Danes, but the com
merce of the group is mainly with the
United States, and English is the Ian
guage we all speak. 1t was only by
accident that Denmark gained possess
f.f4 f0 ell nd known
Danish West Indies. and they have
maintained their hold not only because
no other nation wanted them, OUT
through a mistaken sense of loyalty ON
the part of the inha bitants. Intrinsical-
ly. they are practically valuelesS, but
strategically they are of great value
to any power which, like the United
States, is contiguous and has large
navy which must depend in time of
war upon its coaling stations.
The only island raising anything OF
consequence is Santa Cruz, and that
produces sugar, with run as a byprod-
uct St. John yields some sugar, coffee,
spices and bay rum, while St Thomas
was long ago exhausted and produces
no agricultural staple whatever. Its
soil is worn out-what the hurricanes
haven't blown into the Sea-and most
of it's commerce has long since depart
ed. But it has, as you know. one valu-
able possession in the harbor of It's
chief and only town-Charlotte Amalia
which all naval experts have pro
nounced one of the finest in the world
1t happens that neither of the near ISL
ands. Porto Rico or Culebra, has quite
so good a harbor as ours, combining all
the advantages of narrow entrance,
deep water and facilities for defense
And as to natural beauty, why, there
is where we can beat the world. From
whatever point you may view these isl
ands they are perfect gems, and in sa-
lubrity of climate again, we can chai-
lenge comparison with any section OF
the globe.
Having resided in the islands for
many years, have grown to love them,
to be sure but my liking for them does
not blind me to their defects. As winter
resorts for the United States they pos
sess attra ctions unsurpassed in beaUti-
full scenery delightful climate, snowy
sand beaches, fishing grounds, spicy
woods and fragrant fields. There is no
YOvelier island, for example, than the
little St John, only sixteen square
miles in area and with less than 1000
inhabitants. 1 have hunted there fire.
Quently and can say it is one of the
most attractive places I ever visited
fine landlocked harbor second only to
that of Charlotte Amalia- And yet it is
almost unknown to the world at large. I
1 don't suppose there is a single hut on
it's shores, let alone a house, and this
great body of water is actually going
to waste for lack of appreciation by
some nation with a navy.
The scenes that greet one as he walks
about this island of st. Thomas are
really pitiful The country district is
Gus plantations are abandoned, and
Charlotte Amalia itself, once one of the
most prosperous ports in the West In
dies is perishing of dry rot. have talk
ed with men who have seen Spanish
dollars wheeled through the streets by