The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-04
OUR NEWEST ISLANDS.


From a monograph just published by
the treasury bureau OF statistics we learn
that St. Thomas the best known OF the
group, lies 80 miles due cast OF the north
eastern extremity of Porto Rico; 81 John
lies u miles east of St. Thomas, whilc
St Crolx lies about 80 miles south or st.
John and ST. Thomas, and 80 miles south
east OF the southeastern point of Porto
Rico. Two small islands already belong
ing 10 the United States, Nieques ana
Culebra, which were obtained through The
cession of Porto Rico, lie directly between
Porto Rico and this newly added group.
The islands are small, with compare
lively small producing capacity, thcE
chief Importance being by reason Of the
harbors which they offer, and their value
from "A strategic as we'll as general com
mercial standpoint. ST. CroiX, the largest
of them, II about 20 miles long and from
one u FIVE miles wide. with an area OF
about 10 square miles, and population of
about 20o0O. IL is also the most produe-
tive OF the islands, considerable area
being devoted 10 the production OF sugar
cane and tropical fruits, and agriculture
being the occupation of a large proportion
of the population. There are two towns,
on the island, Fredriksted. with popula-
tion Of 300 and Christiansted, with pop
ulation of $500. The latter Is situated
upon the chief harbor OF the island, which,
however is choked with mud and OF less
Importance than the harbors Of either
OF the other islands.
ST. John, the smallest OF the islands
has an area of but about n square miles
and a population OF only about 1900, and
a comparatively small cultivatable area,
its chief value being i'm its possibilities
for harbor purposes, the natural harbor
OF Coral bay being described as one OF the
best protected natural harbors in the
West Indies, but at present little used.
St Thomas, which lies nearest TO Porto
Rico, IL by far the most important I'm it's
present availability for harbor purposes,
the harbor OF Charlotte Amalia having
been for more than "A century recognized
as one OF the best. " not the best, OF nat
ural harbors in the entire West Indian
group. and having been during all that
time a central point as a harbor OF rel
uge and point of exchange for merchan-
| disc and coaling station for vessels
| from all parts OF the world.
Nearly the entire population OF the
| island is clustered around the port ct
| Charlotte Amala. fully 10000 of the
| l.. 500 population living i'm that city, and
| less than 20OO being engaged in agrcul-
1 ture.
| The introduction of steam and electric
| ity within the past few years has reduced
| greatly the importance Of St. Thomas as
! a point for the distribution of commerce
l since now all of the Islands In the gfoul
| are visited by regularly plying steam
| ships The Importance of coalmg ant
| naval stations has not been reduced, bu
| rather increased; and with proper devol
| opment it Will Il is believed. prove 81
| great value, while the productive possi
bilties of the. islands, especially 81
| Croix I'm the class OF articles so largely
| imported by the United States, tropica
productions, will not be inconsiderable.
The population is chiefly colored, de
| scendants OF former slaves who were lib
Grated I'm 1S4s, English being the chic
| language spoken, especially in the island
| OF St Thomas, which has been for many
| years a resort for vessels from English
| speaking countries.
The imports into st. Thomas alone IL
| 1900 amounted TO $133. 900. and those o
St. Croix about $4,000 They consis
chiefly of foodstuffs and manufactures
The exports OF st. Thomas In 1900 amount
ed TO about S25, 900. and those of st. Croi'
$275. 600. The exports of ST Thomas wer
OF a miscellaneous character, largely
| manufactures destined for neighborini
islands: while those from st. Croix wer
chiefly sugar and other tropical product
| for the United States markets. OF tn
s73S 900 worth OF imports into st. Thoma
| i'm 1900. 1868 266 were from the Unite
states. Si4s.Oo2 fom Great Britain, $50
| from other West Indies. S53.05S from Ger
many. S25,372 from Belgium. S2o7i2 fror
British North America, and Sl4,i02 fror
Denmark. OF the imports, the most in
portant were -four. $50. no; cotton goods
SEQ s43: hardware. Sli,1ii; rum. $l3S72 G
gars. sl9.00T; butter and margarine. SIG
ig7: cheese, s720i; lard $725i, and othe
provisions S2l l2S.