Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-04-25
WEST INDIAN TRADE.
Being More and More Diverted From
Europe to This Country.

Europe 10 ms country.
The United States, alike from stra-
tegical and commercial standpoints,
has Of late years acquired a command
ing influence in the Caribbean. The
material results of the Spanish
American war and the approaching
construction of the Panama canal
are concrete instances Of American
expansion, says the Pail Mall Gazette.
| Certain it is that once the canal is
cut, American influence must receive
powerful impetus and that with the
growth of that influence will come
the determination to conserve it. So
much. indeed, is contended by Cap.
tain Mahan in his famous work on
The Interest Of America in Sea Pow
err" Assuming that the isthmus of
Panama is tie predominant interest,
commercial and military, in the
Caribbean, possessing peculiar con
Germ for those nations whose terri
tories lie on both the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans, of which the United
States is the most prominent Cap
tain Mahan argues that entrance to
the Caribbean and transit across the
Caribbean TO the isthmus are two
prime essentials to the enjoyment of
the advantages of the latter, and that
in time of war control of these two
things becomes a military object not
second to the isthmus itself"
The trade returns OF the principal
colonies also furnish striking testi-
mony to the position which America
mas attained in West Indian com
merce Taking the case of Barba-
dos which may be described as the
Chaplain Junction of the tropics,
we find that in 1903 out of total ex-
port Of E552S91 per cent. only
came TO this country, as against 46
per cent. taken by the United States.
The figures appear still more remark
able when we contrast them with the
returns Of 1863, In that year, when
she e. ports were valued at close up
on a million sterling. Great Britain
took 81 per cent, and the United
States 7 per cent. Thenceforward
exports in America steadily advanced,
while those of the united kingdom
just as steadily declined. As regards
imports, this country has been well
TO the fore throughout the period IN
der notice Examining the returns
Of Jamaica, We find the same Ameri
can predominance in the matter of
exports In 10000 the United
States took 50 per cent, as against
Is per cent. received by this country
In imports the united kingdom led
with A per cent, the American per
centage being only ~.
The firm hold upon the West Indian
export trade which the United States
has thus secured is maintained by
the many steamship lines which ply
between New York and the islands.
That hold has be - strengthened
unconsciously, no doubt-by our
colonial Office within the last few
months, as it was close upon the
lapse OF the mail contract that the
ROYAL Mail Steam Packet company
Initiated its present service to New
York via Jamaica. What is the re-
suit? A further line connecting
America and the Caribbean has been
forged, while the tie between England
and the colonies of one regular mail
service has been severed. That re-
suit probably was not foreseen at
Downing street when the unfortunate
decision concerning the contract was
reached.
A continuance Of the present policy
must have prejudicial effect upon
British influenza Already the incon-
venience Of an irregular ser7ice is
felt in this country
It IS, however, a matter of congrat
ulation among the friends of the
West Indies that one of Mr. Balfour's
last acts prior TO relinquishing ONCE
was to receive the deputation from
the West India committee. The
depu.ation, it is stated, was enjoineG
to silence regarding what occurred.
Yet, while a public declaration Of pol
I icy on the part Of the outgoing gov
eminent would perhaps have afford
/ ed keener satisfaction TO our distant
| colonists the result of the interview
may be found none the less effica
cious in mitigating, If not in wholly
removing, the grievances complained
/ Of That Mr. Balfour should have
/ To
ate after Mr.. Lyhtleton had declined
to do so is regarded as a hopeful
! feature of the situation.