The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-15


when all the warehouses We're bursting
with the products of every CLINE. One
can live here cheaply enough, if that is
all Tor canned provisions and drinha-
bles, such wines and WHISTLES, are
about half of What they are in the
states. Clothing of all sorts, espe-
cially If made to order from the finest
imported woolens, can be had for next
to nothing. And yet at the same time
the rich are growing poorer and the
poor, many of them, are on the verge of
starvation. This seems incredible in a
land where the sun shines all the time
and almost anything in the fruit and
vegetable line can be produced by
merely sticking the seeds into the
ground. But the fact cannot be gain
said that the commerce which was at
one time the life of St. Thomas has de-
parted.
Now. as to the people. there are about
$4,000 of us holding altogether only 40
square miles of territory. The bulk of
the population is concentrated in the
towns, such as Charlotte Amalia. with
at least u 900 out of this islands total
of 5000; Christianstadt and Frederick
stadt absorbing more than two-thirds
the population (20.000) of Santa Cruz.
This is an unhealthy conditioner course,
but 1T exists. People here are gregar-
ious, as they are in the states and else
where, and for various causes flock to
the centers of population.
1t has been easy, then, to obtain a
consensus of opinion as to the popular
desire for annexation or absorption by
the United States. Porto Rico has ex-
cited a jealous feeling here, for as she
has progressed we have retrogressed.
And yet we are bound hand and foot by
Danish conservatism. These islands an
nually cost Denmark $50 000 more than
they yield to her, but the bulk of the
bill is for soldiers and officehOlders, who
will be promptly Withdrawn as soon as
Uncle Sam takes possession. Old Den
mark herself hasn't had a revenue with
in half a million of expenditure for
hoe Sc
full of beggars, and the 1000, 900 or So
coo, 900 which she is said to be getting
for these islands will be very accepta-
bic. She asked $4,000, 600 for St Them
as and st. John, without Santa Cruz in
1867. when Secretary Seward practically
closed a bargain for 81 500 coo.
The treaty failed in the senate
through the crustiness of Charles Sum-
ner. as is now remembered here, and
it is elSo recalled that the inhabitants
of these islands had all voted to cut
loose from King Christian, King Ed
ward of England's impecunious father
in-law, and to cast their lot with Uncle
Sam. But after they had done SO and
after the old king had sent US off with
a fearful farewell-having received an
elegant and substantial testimonial
himself the deal fell through and Den
mark had to take US back. All this hap
peRed good generation ago, but in this
island little news lasts a long time,
and the humiliation of it all is we'll re-
membered.
Bearing in mind these facts, one may
form ar accurate concept of the situa-
ton, which is this: We are of no use
to Denmark, and she will be very glad
to get rid of US; Denmark is a clog
upon our prosperity, a veritable old
man OF the sea, an octopus, which we
would be glad to be rid Of knowing as
We do that our only deliverance lies
through more intimate connection with
the United States. We have but one
thing to offer in return, and that is our
llarbors as coaling stations; but these,
owing to their strategic situation, are
invaluable You offended our self ap-
ii eciation and vanity years ago when
you refused to take us to your arms af-
ter we mad offered to come, but we are
not in a position to nurse resentment.
and if the high contracting parties have
agreed to the transfer, as is reported
here, you may bet that .Barl<is is
willin'." You may hear reports of
''demonstra tons against the transfer
and of testimonials of love for the good
old king" who will probably be treated
to another royal gift of gold or silver.
but in their hearts all the people are
rejoicing over the prospective change.
1t can't be any worse; it may be inn
here nor there. Compared with the pop
ula ton of the United States, as cute
Yankee skipper remarked to me the
ether day, we are mighty small po-
tatoes and few in the hill"
EDWARD M. ANSEND.
Charlotte Amalia, st. Thomas, D.W.I.