Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-27

WASHINGTON, August eff the
United states buys the Danish West
Indies for $4,000, 600. and so preys,t.
Germany from securing the best har6S,
III hctwecn thc> Bahamas and South
America. YOU may be sure that ST
ThoHnaS viii Soon become a household
word among americans.
1t is an exquisite jewel OF a tropical
island. with a remarkable climate, and
IL bound to become one OF our chief
winter resorts.
Epidemic diseases are almost un.
known. The mercury ranges from 20
To \" degrees IN winter and from so
1" 20 in summer. Cool sea breezes
sweep ii at all times. and there are
considerable hills, inviting the bun
Ealow and the great hotel, with vast
views Of thc sapphire sea and the
tropic landscape.
Uncle Sam is not riskinE his %s25.OOO.-
ooo on tile islands with much thought
OF Pheasant wintering, however. That
money is insurance against war AMI
against defeat in case war is not
avoided.
Little 81. Thomas's port Of Char
i"ttc Amalic. as il is sometimes called.
is not the best harhor in that section
of the globe only because it is deem
and wide and aalm. 1t is also one OF
the most easily defended ports that
nature ever made.
81. Thomas is II natural Gibraltar.
the entrance to the harbor is very
narrow. and can be swept by tho two
iorts AT the mouth. At all other points
the coast is rough, with n high surf,
which would prevent the landins OF
troops.
II the island becomes ours the less
easily defended naval base OF Guam
tanamo, Cuba, will dwindle in import
ahce and Charlotte MALE Will be the
principal eastern post OF the Pan
anna Canal.
The lhrce is.-a4lN& of ST. croix. s..
Thomas and ST. John, with il total area
of about 40 square miles and a popu-
iati"n OF $4,000. are within sight OF
each other and almost within sight, at
points. of Porto Rico.
The whites are only about Is per
cent OF the population, but the blacks
are Intelligent because compulsory
education has been enforced for many
years.
The islands have had practical self
government. although the Governor
General is appointed by tho Danish
N'"S wv bi army or g0p Danish
veterans is maintained.
HENi;NuES u SUFFICIENT
TO SUPPORT ISLANDS
For some time the island revenues
have not been sufficient for their SUN
port. Their trade is almost all witlI
the United States. while Denmark gets
scarcely any Of it. The islanders send
here hides and bay rum, and
buy flour, bran. meal, salt, lumber and
provisions.
The people generally speak poor
spanish. Danish is the Official lam
suase. In the ports nearly every one
understands English. and ii the United
states acquires the islands IT is pre-.
dictcd that English Will run out the
other languages very quickly.
st Thomas, although it has the
great haTbor, is not as productive
along agricultural lines AS 81. CroiA,
which has no safe harbor. ST. John
is of small! ccount. At Charlottc&
Amalie. st. Thomas, are great coal
whIrycs aud IA dry dock and marine
railway. An average of one steamer
a day Goals here, but still the port is
not as busy as 1t was before the age
OF steam. for almost every sailing ves-
sci passing to or from Europe then
st"pped for water and food. 1t was
Il free port,
Despite Chancellor Won
Hollwcc's denial that Germany has
any interest IN the sale. it Is believed
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