Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-06
WEST INDIAN TRADE.
Being More and More Diverted From
Europe to This Country.
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Europe to This Country.
Cor Pail Mall Gazette.
The United States. alike from strategical
and commercial standpoints, has of late
years acquired a commanding influence
in the Caribbean. The material results OF
the Spanish American war and the ap-
preaching construction Of the Panama ca
nal are concrete instances OF American
expansion. Certain 1t is that once the ca
nal is cut American influence must receive
a powerful impetus and that with the
growth of that influence will come the de-
termination to conserve it. So much, In
deed. is contended by Capt. Mahan In his
famous work on 1.-The Interest of America
in Sea Power" Assuming that the 18TH
mus of Panama Is the predominant inter-
est, commercial and military, in the Carib-
bean. possessing peculiar concern for those
nations whose territories lie on both the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, "of which the
United States is the most prominent,
Capt. Mahan argues that entrance to the
Caribbean and transit across the Carib-
bean to the fsthmus are two prime essen
tials to the enjoyment of the advantages
of the latter, and that in time OF war con
troll of these two things becomes a military
object not second to the isthmus itself"
The trade returns of the principal colo
MES also furnish striking testimony to the
position which America has attained in
West Indian commerce. Taking the case
of Barbados, which may be described as
the Chaplain Junction" of the tropics, we
find that In 1903 out of total export Of
s552,s91 per cent only came to this coun-
try, as against 46 per cent taken by the
United States. The figures appear still
more remarkable when we contrast them
with the returns for 1863. In that year,
when the exports were valued at close
upon million sterling, Great Britain took
81 per cent and the United States per
cent. Thenceforward exports to 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 I'M
der notice. Examining the returns of ia
maica, we find the same American pre-
dominance in the matter of exports. In
10000 the United States took SO per cent.
as against is per cent received by this
country. In imports the United Kingdom
led with Al per cent. the American per
centage being only AZ.
The firm hold upon the West Indian ex-
port trade which the United States has
steamship lines which ply between New
York and the islands. That hold has been
Observation-Disclosures 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 pres
What is the result? A further link con-
meeting America and the Caribbean has
been forged. while the tie between Eng
land and the colonies OF one regular mail
probably was not forcseen at Downing
street when the unfortunate decision con-
corning the contract was reached.
A continuance of the present policy must
have a prejudical effect upon British influ-
ence. Already the inconvenience of an ir-
regular service is felt in this country
1t Is however, a matter for congratulation
among the friends OF the West Indies that
one of Mr.. Balfour's last acts, prior to relin-
gushing office, was to receive the deputa-
ton from the West India committee The
deputaton, 1t IS stated, was enjoned to
silence regarding what occurred. Yet, while
a public declaration of policy on the part of
the outgoing government would perhaps
have afforded keener satisfaction to our dis
tant colonists, the result of the interview
may be found none the less efficacious In
mitigating. if not in wholly removing the
grievances complained of That Mr.. Balfour
should have received the deputation even
IN private. after Mr.. Lyttleton had de-
clined to do so, is regarded as q hopeful
feature of the situation.