Gilpin observer., 1902-02-06
OUR NEW PURCHASE
THE DANISH WEST INDIES.
The Three Islands Are Small, But Of
Value in Time Of War-One Has
Fine Harbor.


There are three islands in the Dnaish
West Indian group-St. Croix or Santa
Cruz, ST. Thomas and ST. John. liz
trinsically considered the Danish West
Indies of small account, but through
their geographical position they are Of
inestimable value Strategically, they
hold the key to the West Indian and
South American situation in case Of
war. The island of st. Croix contains
ninety-four square miles and a popula-
ton of 25,OO0, more than half of whom
are to be found in the two towns of
Christianstadt and F'rederichstadt.
The smallest of the islands, st. John,
is only eight miles by four in area and
has a population of 1000, most Of
whom are negroes or mulattoes, and,
with few exceptions, very poor. The
island Of st. John contains harbor,
known as Coral bay. 1t is considered
hurricane proof" even in the late
summer season when the tropfc cy-
clones rage 1t is triple harbOr with
good anchorages and depth Of thir-
teen fathoms of water.
st. Thomas is thirteen miles in length
and four in breadth and has a popula-
ton of about 1900. 1t is not fertile,
as its soil has been washed away from
the steep hillsides by the torrential
rains of the wet season. The principal
town is Charlotte Amalia, a poor COM
munity living on the memory of the
past glories when the harbor was the
rendezvous of the buccaneers. The
harbor of Charlotte Amalia has six
fathoms of water and an entrance half
mile across.
According to experts, this harbor,
with its surrounding hills, might be
made the Gibraltar of the West In
dies. This is the harbor so highly
commended by Admiral David d. Por-
ter many years ago. He told Charles
Sumner that there was none other in
the West Indies so well fitted for ma
val station. 1t lies directly in the track
of vessels from Europe. Brazil. the
East Indies and the Pacific ocean
bound to the West Indies or the United
States. He called it the keystone to
the arch of the West India islands.
Naval experts declare that the harbOr
of Charlotte Amalia Is of more value
to the United States than to any other
country.
The fact that the United States now
has Porto Rico does not improve the
situation. Porto Rico has no harbor
on its southern side. and San Juan on
the northern side cannot Snelter many
vessels, is shallow and not easily de-
Tended. Naval officers say that, in
case of war. the harbor of Charlotte
Amalia alone is worth the price of the
islands.
st. Thomas is thirty-eight miles east
of Porto Rico. The principal products
of the islands are sugar and rum. 1t
may be recalled that negotiations were
opened looking for their acquisition as
early as 1865. A basis of negotiation
was secured and the minister at Co
penhagen was instructed to offer So
100000 for the three islands. This of
fer was declined, Denmark's price ther
being SIS, 100000, or S1O,0OO,OOO for st
Thomas and st. John. A compromise
was finally effected in July. 1867, a
SI.5OOOOO for these two. Then en-
sued the long delay in ratifying tn,
treaty. and its final rejection. in spit,
of the fact that the King of Denmark
had in effect delivered up his island:
and their inhabitants to the United
States.