New-York tribune., 1902-08-22
CORONATION DAY IN ST. THOMAS.
FESTIVITIES IN HONOR OF THE OCCASION
ST CROIX PEOPLE FOLD THEIR HANDS
IN DESPAIR AT THE DELAY
IN THE TRANSFER
IN THE TRANSFER


(From Occasional Correspondent of The Tribune)
St. Thomas Danish West Indies August g.
A coronation service held at the Episcopal
| church this morning at m by the Ven.
| Archdeacon Eyare Hutson NJ. A K. D. British
/ Consular Chaplain. There a goodly gathering
! Of government officials. members of the Colonial
Council, foreign consuls and leading citizens and
! the church filled with large congregation
An Illuminated address TO his Majesty King Ed
ward and Queen Alexandra was signed IN the
| vestry room after the service was over
| From early morn the put on a festive ap-
| pearance nearly every dwelling OF consequences
displaying flag OF some nationality, most Of them
| being Danish American and English Many Of the
stores were decorated.
| One Of them attracted considerable attention.
flags streamers. garlands, flowers. devices OF God
| Save the King and God Save the queen with
large portraits of their majesues, being prominent
Lines of cabs. carrying tiny flags. rosettes anu
flowers paraded the streets. Nearly every second
| person had a medal. Crowds wended their way
to the parade ground where coronation cricket
match was being played. All the principal stores
| were closed. One would have thought 1t was q
Danish king being crowned. Only the fact that a
Danish princess was being made queen OF one OF
the greatest empires history has known might have
been urged as a for such a celebration
But st. Thomas is a place to which many come
from the neghboring British islands to earn thelr
daiIv bread and maybe these loudest in their
expressions OF loyalty to his Majesty King Ed
ward They did not forget Alexandra as reVered
by the St Thomians. and each We'd with the other
in celebrating the joyful occasion
So for one day at least, the people here managed
to forget of their and anxletles, espe-
caIly those in connection with the sale OF these
islands. News from St CroX is peculiarly dis
tressing the laborers getting only three days
work a week and several planters VINO were mall
ayers working overseers pay. there re-
main only ant-saIe planters in the neid Inc
one has gone to Copenhagen. and the other. who is
still on the island and anti-saIe. It is said. on the
surface would be glad if the islands were under
"Old Glory to-day. As to the rest of the inhabl-
tants from the planter the storekeeper, they
have sunk into state of apathy. in view of their
nresent misfortunes. An attempt 10 get up another
appeal 10 the Ministry failed. not from unwilling
the part of those to whom the idea was
suggested because they believe It is no use 10
ask anything from those who have so shameIulIy
left them to future poverty and distress
Discouraged and disheartened, the best part OF
them refused even to meet and discuss the advisa-
bity of such a step That his eXcel!ency me
Governor realizes the gravity OF the situation Is
evident He is a man who has the interest OF these
islands at heart Compelled to be neutral. ne sun
sees the necessity for something being done, and
that promptly to save St Crolx from irretrievable
ruin. 1t Is known that he has questioned one or
the largest owners and merchants as TO the truth
OF his having curtaied expenses by discharging
manaRers and reducing the number of days or
labor on the estates. He desired the Information
direct so II is said, he about TO write a
strong letter the subject to the home govern
ment in order convince them OF the serious con
dition Of affairs and how Impossible II was tor q
Croix 10 go on under present CONDITIONS EEeh 6 me
that st Croix never would have been so great
sufferer through the delay in the transfer. San fan
hardly realize the depth OF ruin INTO WIlch tildt
beautiful and prosperous ls4and IS faSt sIlh-
ing That st. Thomas VIII be sufferer also; , 6y
and by, through business relations IN connection
with ST. Croix is not doubted