The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-28
WANT TO COME IN.
Danes in West Indies Willing to Be-
come Americans.


New York, Jan. 2S.-The special cor
respondent of the Tribune at St. Thorn
as. D. w. L, sends the following in con-
nection with the reported transfer of
the islands to the United States:
What puzzles the average Danish
West Indian more than anything else is
the impression which seems to have
gained ground in America and else
where that he objects to the transfer
of these islands and that plebiscite is
necessary. Apart from the fact that
there are so many different nationalities
in the Danish West Indies that it would
be a matter of great difficulty to arrive
az just conclusion in case of a plebis-
cite, it may be confidently asserted that
10 such wish has been expressed, and if
II were possible to take a vote, under
such circumstances, it would be in ia
Nor of the transfer.
That there may have been a feeling
against 1t some time ago among a few
OF the natives is possible. but this was
partly owing to sentiment and partly
to the statements made by the anti
sale party about the miserable condition
Of Porto Rico under American rule.
Now that the truth has come to light
about that island, and every mail brings
further reports of its progress, once
again as in 1867, our people are looking
forward to the change, believing that
there can be nothing save prosperity for
these islands should it take place
1t is a pity that this state of feeling
of the inhabitants has not been more
widely circulated throughout the Uni
ted States so that Americans might
know that they are not taking under
their protection an unwilling people-a
fact which can be substantiated by any
American who has visited these islands
There has been little excitement here
the last few days owing to rumor tina
the sale was off At St Croix as an
offset to the telegram sent to the finance
minister and the rigsdak by 146 leading
Inhabitants. among whom were 80
planters, representing 40, 900 out of so, 900
acres of cultivation land of the island
praying for the sale an opposition list
was started The few property hoIiers
that were overlooked refused to sign
ar, but the officials and a few policemen
DID SO. But the opinion seems to be
gaining ground that all the opposition
has been foStered by Danish SpeCIla-
tors in the hope that should negotia-
tions be declared off and values become
further depressed they may be aota to
purchase lands and houses for a song
THE st. Croix Avis" in a letter from
the rector OF Anglican church, exposes
the manner in which anti-sale sigma
lures were obtained to a list in Basin the
other town This list was sent by cable
TO the prime minister at Copenhagen on
the sth inst. 1t protests against the tel
egram sent by the 40 planters and IO6
proprietors, already alluded, character
iz1ng them as American capitalists and
asks his excellency to use his influence
to keep St Croix under the Danish flag
on condition that the mother country
will know how to find means to make
the cultivation of sugar which at pres
ent nndS itself in most critical posi-
ton, remunerative to this island"
This IS signed by three Danish plant
ers. two merchants and by 2I5 other per
sons, all eminently respectable. but not
employers of nearly tWo-thirds of the
islands laborers, who will shortly be
without employment unless some