El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-26
DANISH INDIES
WINTER RESORT.
They Give America a Sec
ond Gibraltar and mil
lionaire Climate"
CONTINUED from page ~

one understands English and il the
United States acquires the islands il is
predicted that English will run out the
other languages very quickly
st Thomas. although IL has the
great harbor, is not as productive along
agricultural lines as St CrolN. which
has no safe harbor. st John IS OF
small account At Charlotte Amalie.
81. Thomas. are great coal wharves and
a dry dock and marine railway An
average of one steamer a day Goals
here, but still the port is not as busy
as il was before the age of steam. Tor
almost every sailing vessel passing to
or from Europe then stopped for water
and food. il was free port
Germany Believed Interested.
Despite chancellor Won Bethmanu-
Hollweg's denial that Germany has any
interest in the sale. il Is believed here
that certain specific facts urged pres
ident Wilson and secretary Lansing 10
press for the purchase of the Islands
ut the present moment.
The United States government is
suspicious of a stock company when
has been organized to exploit big con-
cessions at Charlotte Amalie. II Is
understood the stock of this company
is largely in the hands of Germans
II is feared that in the event Of Ger
tain international complications, the
kaiser might feel obliged to protect
h. subjects interests in the Islands,
: tier the king of Denmark has proved
-uable to do so The situation then
would be very awkward. indeed.
That Denmark was not very anxious
to sell as compared with the desire OF
the United States TO guy is proved by
the purchase price proposed Of S25.OOO,-
600, or five times the amount named
in 1902. One report had il that Den
mark must pay over S22.5OO,O0O OF TINS
to Germany as penalty for letting
Allied submarines pass into the Baltic
g. oh
story seems to have slight support in
fact II appears more probable that
the Danes. like any shewd bargainers,
saw the eagernesS Of the Wilson ad-
ninistration TO get the Islands ana
took advantage Of it
Inhabitants Favor Sale.
As to the inhabitants. they would
like to see the islands pass to the
United States for nothing lmpover-
ished as they are. the islands would
pass the hat and take up collection
for Uncle sam to assist the deal They
see the prosperity of the Porto Ricans,
they know that Cuba made immense
strides in wealth and power since 1895,
they watch the growth Of the COM
merce past their doors through the
Panama Canal and they wish to snare
in Uncle Sans activities as his own
children. They have little interest in
far off impotent Denmark Straw
votes show them almost unanimous
for a change in sovereignty
II was the Civil war which first
turned American attention to 81.
Thomas At the close of the struggle
president Lincoln and secretary OF
state Seward had vice admiral Porter
investigate the islands. which had been
refuge for Federal vessels I'm the course
IF the struggle The admiral reported
Admiral POrter's Report.
st. Thomas lies right in the track
II all vessels from Europe. Brazil. the
East Indies and the Pacific Ocean
'ound to the West Indian islands or
o the Atlantic states. It is the point
where all vessels touch for supplies.
when needed. coming from any Of the +
-bove stations. II is a central point
rom which any or all of the West .
indian islands can be assailed while 3
{ is imprevious TO attack from land f
ng parties. and can be fortified 20 any /
Xtent The bay. on which lies the
own OF ST. Thomas. is almost circular,
he entFance being oy neck guarded ,
y two heavy forts. which can he ,
10 strengthened that no foreign power I
an ever hope TO take it
st Thomas is a small Gibraltar of 3
tself and could not be attacked by a 4
naval force There would be no pos
libility of landing troops there as the {
sland is surrounded by reefs and 4
breakers, and every point near which /
/ vessel or boat could approach is a
latural fortification and only requires 1
runs, with little labor expended on /
ortified works. TheEe is no harbor in p,
he West Indies better fitted than St
Thomas for naval station Its har1or
nd that of St John. and the harbor
ormed by the Water Island. could
ontain all the vessels Of the largest i
avy in the world. where they would
e protected against an enemy. In
ne, St Thomas is the keystone to
he arch of the West Indies 1t com
hands them all. II is of more i'm
ortance to US than TO any other ma
ion"