New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-19
SETBACK FOR ST. THOMAS.
Indignation Aroused By the Danish
Commissioner Report.

St Thomas. Danish West Indies. Oct. (SpeciaD.
1t IS with feelings OF dismay and establishment
that the people OF this island reading the trans
lation Of the Royal Commissioners report. which
has appeared in 'Iightbourn's Mail Notes" The
commissioners seem have cut the Gordian knot
Of how TO administer these islands after fashion
OF their own. and which. 70 say the least OF It,
is not at all acceptable 20 the merchants OF St.
Thomas. II IT be remembered that this island
produces scarcely anything agri,ulturally speak
ing. and IS dependent, more or less the fotsani
and Jetsam which the outside world brings TO It,
and that a large amount OF its trade consists in
supplying the few vessels and tourists who
call here about five or six months in the year. II
car readily be understood what an increase OF 40
per cent in import dues must to its people.
Tor that is of the leading items IN the prOpO-
sition set forth by his majestys commissioners TO
balance the expenditures These men. while pro-
posing do away with the existing difference be-
tween the customs tariff OF St Thomas and St
John and that of st. Croix in such manner that
the customs tariff OF st. ,Croix shah be extended
to- all the islands. do not propose TO do away with
the trade tax here, which is already heavy enough
many Of the merchants. and which has never
been imposed those OF ST. Croix. What will
become OF the little trade left here with i'm
pert duty Of say. 10 cent instead OF per cent
Is difficult to say.
It is true that the commissioners state that
the higher duty in ST. Thomas shall rot be- how
ever the cause of the harbor OF St Thomas losing
its present character Of free port, for while a
higher duty will be imposed on goods imported
for use in the island. there will at the same time
be established a system Of bonded warehousing
after the Danish manner and In the widest ex-
tent" But as St. Thomas has lost all its former
trade with the neigbboring islands. san Domingo,
hayti. Porto Rico. Cuba and the Spanish Main.
what they want bonded warehouses for.
cept to increase expenses by giving further en-
ployrnent to Danish officials. is what OF the
inhabitants and traders now asking 10 is
Gificult describe the indignation now existing.
and the Is becoming the topic with all
classes. there Is no knowing what form II may
assume eventually. Already "Ihe St Thomas
Tidendes'' daily issue, The Bulletin" IS calling
loudly for public meeting 20 discuss the subject
II justly says this is matter OF life and death
70 ST. Thomas" and speaks IN no measured terms
of this action OF the commissioners. which will
undoubtedly take away all the commerce left.
Very plain language Is now being used by
OF the conservative citizens and there win be
some palmer talk at the public meeting. when the
mission OF the commissioners viii receive such
criticism will astonish the good folks at home
The people solid in their resentment. All par
ties are united now. and II might safely be said
tEat the feeling OF affection which revived
ut,aId vo H tbs lne ono Tsva m tSa
people from becoming Americans has received a
onefs wSo could mot Raas Devised anysn1s bet
calculated ALLEVIATE Thomas entirely from
Denmark. The worst part OF the wrotched business
Is that l, was expected somsthinS would be done
high schools and technical schools such exist
in Porto Rico. and upon which the United States
is spending much money for its people. The
people require harbor improvements. a water sup
ply better sanitation-in fact. all that every man.
child In these islands who read
krcws that America would have given had the
sale been accomplishment there Is no hope held
out for these unless they are paid for out OF the
barren hills. empty stores and what will be on
empty harbOr shortly II this shametuIly unprscti-
cal proposition or the commissioners IL realized
OF course II IL expected that the Diet Will SEQ
the folly OF H. and see the mistake OF the
h. me government IN sending out body Of such
concerned left IL almost ignorant OF its require
West Indian merchants and, had they been so
at any time In their lives, what could they have
learned In IA few days? The gross ignorance dis
played In their scheme OF taxation shows OF what
stun they were made. and should the present dis
satisfaction with their report assume greater pro-
portions. seems likely. Il will again
prove the want OF wisdom in European countries
In sending ont royal commissioners 20 solve prob
lens like those here The West Indies are per
neated with American Ideas. The people are bright
and intelligent. far beyond the average European
sent out 20 govern them. They wish for progress
and free Institutions, not heavy taxation without
corresponding benefits not the retrogression which
the Danish commissioners lraoort-msAa~