New-York tribune., 1905-06-18
UNDER A DANISH MAKE BELIEVE" :"
Germany Seeking to Acquire the Foothold In
St. Thomas She Has So Long Coveted.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t is slowly but surely becoming evident TO
the people of this island that, under "Danlsh
make believe the Germans laying the founda-
ton of future naval and coaling station in these
waters. With the nomination by his majesty 'ne
King of Captain Sonderhoff, the able and energetic
Superintendent of the Hamburg-American Steam
ship Company, Crown member Of the Colonial
Council of St Thomas and ST. John. it is not diff
fcult TO foresee still greater extension OF
privileges to this powerful company, which, with
its feet of steamships has made this island Its
headquarters virtually controlling the carrying
trade between Europe. the West Indies and the
Spanish Main. 1t Is only a few months ago that
1t absorbed the Danish West Indian steamship
Company the first direct means OF steam communi-
cation with Denmark these islands have had since
their possession by that country. And in the bar
gain went the large coal wharf which 1t was con-
sructing for the supply of it's steamers and other
callers at our port Thus it Is to-day tnat the
Danish steamers figure on our shipping list
under the heading of the Hamburg American Line
and East Asiatic Company, Limited. In the mean
time Water Island most advanta geousy stuat
has passed by purchase for the Insignificant sum
of 81 coo into their hands.
All this money and business for 81
Thomas, for the Germans are making enormous
progress in commercial Development, especially in
the West Indies and South America With the
retirement Of the Royal Mail Steamship Company
the Hamburg American Line will be supreme in
St Thomas. ard that means foothod for Ger
For years past her men-of-war have made this
port a rendezvous, the friendly attitude of their
officers and good conduct Of their men making
many friends for the nation they represent 1t is
true every such facility that is afforded TO
them is given to other nations for the Danish
ernment is Impartial in its hospitality. But there
can be no question as to the important position
which Germany occupies in St. Thomas to-day.
That its possession by such great power and
manufacturing nation would be of distinct advan-
tage to this island from commercial point of
view and to Germany naval and military
base is self-evident- That, Germanys intentions
with regard to the future acquisition OF St Thomas
are becoming plain to others in the West Indies as
well as TO ourselves, the following extract from
THE St Lucia Voice" of the 18th inst will show:
It has transpired that the coaling station being
established at a lavish expenditure at water
island ST Thomas by the Danish Asiatic Com
pany is in reality, a German enterprise, con
trolling interest in the Danish company having
been ACQUIRED by that powerful orga anization the
Hamburg American Steamship Company, through
which under a Danish make believe, Germany Is
working to acquire at st. Thomas the footholo sne
has been SO long coveting -. hill, c..
II is a matter for reflection that While Great
Britain is practically abandoning positions OF van
fage which she already occupies in the West In
dies the power from whose aggressiveness she
arfects she has most fear is striving persistenty
and by every means to secure d base In Caribbean
waters The irony of fate may bring II about tnat
the dream of a Hohenzoilern world empire may ne oe
STRUGGLED for on the stage as that on which
decided C. z. TAYLOR.
St Thomas, D. W. /. May 81. 1905.