New-York tribune., 1903-06-15
sTAGNATIoN IN DANISH WEST INDIES.
Only a Lingering Hope of Sale-No Prom
ised Improvements in Sight.
st. Thomas, D. w. l.. J

st. Thomas, ID. w. J.. June 4.
With the departure of the three German men-of-
the Nineta, the Fake and the Panther, our
harbor is empty. the little business they
brought to is finished a lingering hope yet
prevails that Denmark will sell these islands.
Many believe that before the expira ton of next
month the treaty will be ratified. 1t may be hope
born of the despair which The situation inspires,
but 1t hardly likely to be realized. Not
word comes to from Denmark. The result of
the royal commissioners visit to these islands is
sealed book to every Danish West Indian. And as
far get know from Copenha gen, the
sale question seems forgotten. The same might
be said of these islands. This is very disappoint-
ing to those who calculated upon the mother coun-
trys assistance in the event of her not ratifyfng
the treaty. Time is rolling on and ST. Thomas. St
CroiX and St John gradually going backward,
the former commercially and the two latter agri-
cuturally, for want of that impetus which their
possession by the United States of America would
have given to every department of industry
Some of the st. Croix planters have been visiting
Porto Rico lately. and they have returned deeply
impressed with the progress II has made since it
has become American A feeling of despair takes
possession of them they contemplate the future
a possible poor crop next year, and that handi
capped by a heavy duty in the only market in the
world they at present. for it certain
that Denmark will open her doors free sugar,
and should she ever do so IL will be too late.
Added TO this there is the prospect of drouth
setting in For several years these islands have
counts from Of the small islands to us,
especially Ansgada, state that, owing to the dry
weather, the cattle are dying off by scores The
same might be said of st. John, where very little
rain has fallen for the last few months. And still
there is no sign from Copenhagen. All the prom
ised institutions yet in abeyance even our own
verted this island into tropical paradise, are
scarcely spoken of in face of the present struggle
Not day passes but what the people anxiously
scan the kilograms. There was one the other day
of the community. and that was the removal of the
Horne. who has filed the post for nearly six years
TO the great satisfaction of the people here He is
here and it is pleasant to record of him that by
his tact and personal magnetism he has made
many friends, who will be sorry when he leaves US.
petition signed by our most Influential merI
TO the State Department at Washington. asking
the defunct St Thomas Bank, which has already
paid 50 per cent of its liabilities have been
such cases, the circumstances are very distressing
wd0ws m and @ fh & being G b9 & and md Ghe
left to them as an inheritance. For the many
Institution. When it was forced to throw its af-
fairs in the Dealing Court dt became bankrupt. it
in Copenhagen it brought ruin to many in these
islands. This last blow will bring more trouble
In connection with recent Investments of the
taiist in st Croix who recently bought four of the
finest estates in the island for $500 about third
just received from prominent planter Is interest
ing: II find 1t hard to reconcile the actions of the
question There s only one thing that may keep
them from starving US out out here and that Is by
themselves. I believe the Danish Plantation. Com
RaRe here Se done so P bIsnese
speculation and not from any philanthropic mo
produce which can only bc had IN he fT 6ed
States, and as these good people know this very
well there will be several more pro-sale property
owners over here