Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-22
The Ne v ANTILLES
Danish West Indies Likely to Be
Known by That Name
Hereafter.
But Thirteen Americans. II Is
Said. Are Residents OF
the Island.
Harbor Of St. Thomas Will Be
Great Advantage to United
States.

Washington, Feb. 22.-The ratifica-
ZION by the senate of the treaty provid-
ing for the purchase of the Danish
Vest Indies marks but the beginning OF
legislation which must be provided for
khe islands 1t is intended TO make the
glands into territory like the Ha-
gaiian islands, but with governor
appointed by the president. The sub
lect will be considered in Senator
Foraker's committee, which. as result
of the acquisition OF the Danish West
indies, will be changed in name. The
committee is known now as the COM
mittee on Pacific islands and Porto
Rico. The new name is to be commit
lee on Pacific and West Indian islands.
What name TO give the islands Will
probably be suggested by Senator
Forakers committee. The New An
lilies" is suggested. or the "Caribs.
Efforts have been made to secure the
Danish islands in successive admins
trations. The first attempt was made
turing the presidency of Abraham Lin
coln.
Many applications have been re-
ceived by the president for the position
bf governor of the islands, but these
are premature There Is some talk of
combining the islands with Porto Rico
IN a way to give Jurisdiction to the
governor of Porto Rico over all of
them.
fortified himself with
many facts relative to the islands. One
% the oddities developed by his inves-
legation is the fact that out of a total
population of $4,000 souls here are but
thirteen Americans. In the island of
Ct John there are 915 people, only two
of whom are white. one being Danish
official sustained by his government
and the other a missionary. st. John
has an unusually interesting history.
The sugar industry was well devel-
pped for a time, but one night the
blacks rose and massacred all the
whites. Denmark attempted to subdue
the natives, but was obliged to call up
on France for assistance. The punitive
expedition resulted in such frightful
atrocities on the part of the Danes as
to result in 400 of the natives COM
hitting suicide in a single night. The
natives now are tractable and peacea-
Bile, and so ignorant in the main that
The question of citizenship will not be
raised by them for many years to come.
The greatest advantage to the United
States in acquiring the islands is the
magnificent harbor of st. Thomas.
where a naval station can be located.
This harbor is two miles by one and a
half. and sufficiently large to accom-
modate 200 merchantmen.
The sugar industry was best devel-
pped on the st. CroiX. The slump in the
price of sugar, however, resulted in the
Rgriculturists turning their attention to
the raising of cocoa, coffee and other
tropical crops. A suggestion has been
made that the Danish West Indies, in
view of the paralysis of its sugar in
dustry. will be In even a better posi-
ton to ask for favors from this gov
eminent for the development of its
sugar Industry than Cuba. Free trade
with the islands will strengthen the OPP
position of the beet sugar people in the
United States to Cuban concessions.
The industry even ut its full develop
ment, however, Will be too small to
prove a great factor.
Lord Pauncefote was at the state de-
partment yesterday, and it has been
arranged between himself and Secre-
.tary Hay that the final ratification OF
the Hay Pauncefote treaty shall be ex-
changed here as soon as the mechani-
cal work of pressing the exchange
copies can be executed The British
government has conveyed TO its am
bassador full authority TO conclude this
arrangement.
Mr.. Brun the Danish minister, also
saw Secretary Hay in relation to the
ratification of the treaty for the ces-
sion to the United States of the Danish
West Indian islands. II seems improb-
able now that the mooted plebiscite Of
the Inhabitants of the islands would be-
had by the Danish government. How
ever, should 1t be decided otherwise
the taking of the vote Will be very
small matter, inasmuch as the fran
rchise is enjoyed I'm the Danish West In
dies by only few hundred of the tota
population, and their votes could be re
corded in a day or two. 1t will not b'
necessary to wait upon congress for the
appropriation of S5.000,000 as prelimi,
nary to the acquisition of the island.
by the United States. Under the treaty
as soon as the notifications are ex
changed the United States flag will b,
hoisted, and the $4,000, 900. if not al
ready appropriated, Will be charged VI
against the United States as a debt.