The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-08-30
selves emphattcally aginst annexation

N"d SuohSlN IN FAVOR of the British
rule which gives them freedom that
has become to them ever more prec-
ious than Industrial and financial
prosperity, Between these two fac
,ions comes another class. influential
enough though in a hopeless minority.
holding that federation with Canada
is the only remedy for the Ills from
which the islands are undoubtedly
suffering. And between them all the
newspapers have ben kept busy pub
fishing letters and recommendation
and protests. One paper had finally
to decline to publish any letters bear
ing on the subject.
The truth of the matter is that in
telligent people here are becoming al
together sick of the British colonial
policy. policy that has resulted in
the almost total destruction of the
sugar industry of the islands. The
fruit trade with the United States
Is the most profitable undertaking in
Jamaica today. Its growth is contin-
uous and phenomenal. 1t is said to
be the mainstay of the island. No
body attempts to deny that without
the United Fruit Company tan Amer
lean concern) the island must long
ago have given up the struggle.
The depression over the country Is
as acute as it is real. The govern
ment departmental reports teen with
references TO it. Taxes are becoming
harder to collect because people are
daily getting out Of work in conse-
quenee Of the failure of the sugar in
dustry. Within the past few months
thousands upon thousands of persons
have been prosecuted for non-pay-
ment Of taxes. They are generally
given a month or two in which to pay
up their dues, or in default. take
term of Imprisonment. which does not
cancel the debt.
1t is the opinion of good many in
telligent men that il the expensive
system of government which obtains
here were superseded by a system of
the kind being introduced into Porto
leo, the island would not be long in
recovering itself. The salary of s25,-
900 (besides numerous exemptions and
privileges) which the governor is paid,
is regarded as distinctly extravagant
and out of all proportion to the COL
ony's revenue. And the revenue can
not be increased. Import duties are
at the highest possible point and the
government dare not raise them any
higher.
1t is, therefore, not at all surprising |
TO find the whole island seething with |
discomfort. shouting for reforms-re-
forms which, like the governments |
promise Of better times,"-
never come. 1t is realized that the COL
)ny is rapidly nearing the parting of
he ways. And the future will de-
oend almost entirely on the future
)olicy of the imperial authorities with
egard to this and other islands of
he West Indies.
The following editorial comment by
ne Of the most conservative newspa-
ers of the city gives some further
1ea of the conditions at present OBJ
aiming here:
"a curious phenomenon at present in
amaica is the discrepancy between
he optimistic writings and lectures
f people and the actual circumstances
f the country.
What is the actual situation? De-
,ression on every side sugar and cof-
ee estates going out of cultivation.
he people without money and with
,nly sufficient to eat; large numbers
# persons leaving the colony for
America and elsewhere, and every
where and among all cl"~eo- the
'loomiest anticipation regarding the
uture. 1t may be said that this has
lways been the situation but certain
Y the pessimistic note has never been
% prominent as at present. We are
lot commenting on 1t; we are simply
tating what is a fact. On one side
We have the promise and the other
ide we have the actual circumstances
nd the discrepancies between the
wo is what We are calling attention
D."