The Washington bee., 1911-02-11

Ject Tor more than an hour, and it is
likely that he viii take steps to com
ply with their request
Booker Washington could tell the
Danes very much that they do not
know concerning their faraway West
Indian possessions St. Croix, St
John and St Thomas, three little
Islands Of the West Indies over which
fly the Danish colors, have cost Dem
mark much more than they earn for
their mother country. The country
certainly needs some one to point out
to her where she has made a mistake
and tell her how to make the islands
pay.
Booker Washington would render
an invaluable service to the Danes if
he could solve the problem Of gal
vanlzlng Incidence into industry.
Measures for the development Of
the Insular trade are being anxiously
debated in the Danish Parliament at
the present time, together with
schemes for the political representa-
ton Of the islanders in the Danish
Parliament.
In North America at the time of
the American Revolution there was,
however, one important difference
North America had the American
spirit to help her fight her battles
In the Danish West Indies there pre-
walls lethargy and apathy character
istlc of the Negroes employed in the
tropics.
1t is the uplifting of these Negroes
that King Frederick wants to accom-
plish, and because of his desire to ed
ucate and elevate his dark-skinned
subjects he has called upon Booker
Washington. If any one can handle
the job, Washington can do it. No
one in the world knows the Negro
like he does. No one understands his
race as well or how to manage mem
Ders of it.
The living of the Negro of the trop-
les comes too easily to encourage hab-
its of frugality and forethought.
Without education, the natives of St.
CrOIX, St. Thomas and St. John will
stay III their present net for another
century.
The cultivation of the sugarcane
might easily be made to pay hand
somely If properly organized and di-
TeCted. The rum that comes from
these islands IS famous the world
over. Only limited production IS,
however, available, because of the in
dolence and lack of energy Of the ma
lives.
Aside from the mere handful of
Danish officials the population is
composed entirely Of Negroes who are
IndIspOsed to develop the physical re-
& Il IL
are largely descendants of slaves en-
tranChlsed IN I040. 1t Is doubtful
whether sugarCane can prOtitably be
cultivated by them Unless by a sys-
tenn of education Washington sue
ceeds IN stimulating them, 1t would be
la losing venture to start a cane farm
with these natives in control
The Danish government has never
ceased to regret the fact that Par
lament rejected in 1902 a proposal
on the part of the United States to
purchase the islands. They have
never been anything but a big hnan-
cIal burden to Denmark.
The largest island, St. CrOix, has
an area OF u square miles and popu-
IatiOn OF $4,000, In the center and
toward the west the surface IS undu-
Iatlng, and toward the south covered
with brackish lagoOns. With the ex-
ceptiOn Of about 1000 acres, the soil
rs everywhere productive. Only one
third OF the area, however, is devoted
to sugar growing, and about One-sixth
to pasture land.
The greater part of the remainder
is either worthless brushwOOd or
sCanty timber. Besides scattered Ne
gro hamlets, there are two towns,
Christiansted, on the north coast, and
FrederiCksted, on the west.
The belt OF abandoned ground in
the past few years has been steadily
on the increase despite all efforts OF
the government to check the decay.
St, Croix was discovered by Co.
lumbus on his second voyage. In
1851 France intrusted the island to the
Knights OF Malta, and III 1923 1t was
purchased by Denmark for 10000
livres, about SI42,5 500.
St Thomas IS Is miles long, with
an average breadth Of three miles,
and IS estimated to have an area OF
about 33 square miles.
Previous TO the abolition Of slavery
the island was dotted with sugar plan
tatiOns and substantial mansions. Now
little fruit, some few vegetables
and grass are all its products. Green
groceries are imported from the
United States, as are poultry and
eggs.
The population of St. Thomas is
about 1900. One-sixth of these are
whites; the rest more or less Of Negro
blood. The same need OF a man like
Booker Washington obtains IN St.
Thomas as does in St. CroIx. Some
one is needed to stir up the Negro
race on the island and wake 1t up to
its opportunities.
St Thomas was discovered by Co
lumbus in 1893. 1t was then inhabited
by two tribes, the Caribs and AFRO
waukS In 1867 the island was col
onized by the Dutch, and after their
departure for New York was held by
the English in 1867. The Danish West
Indies took possession in 1871, and
about eight years later began the in
PRODUCTION OF slave labor.
A great but temporary stimulus was
given to the commerce of the island
| during the civil war In 1871 the
Danish government removed the
| headquarters of its West Indian pos
| -oreyCro from, & C-,-1- - g TI,C