The Washington times., 1916-07-25
Islands Of st. Thomas, st. John
and st. croiz, AZ SQUARE
Miles, Involved.
GIVES RIGHTS IN GREENLAND
New Possession Declared Of
Greatest Value to Conn.,
merce and Defense.

by some nation. that is able to restore
ss trade center and at the same time
establish IT as naval base Of i'm.
mense value to any country owning
Fifty years ago Admiral Porter. Of
the United States navy, referred to 81.
inomas as the keystone OF the arch
OF the west indies: II commands them
ha EG< m Ss s sssn two centuries a.
from from the strategic Viewpoint and
that Germany had her eyes on this
base In the Caribbean there was evi.
denced considerable interest and ac-
Hvity n the official circles of the
Bryan Declared Indifferent.
1t has been understood that while
William J. Bryan was Secretary Of
state no progress was made toward
the acquisition of the Danish West
Indies. Mr.. Bryan was Indifferent.
After the departure Of Mr.. Bryan
as Secretary OF State, the Adminis-
| tration picked up the thread of for
mer negotiations for the purchase OF
! the islands.
The Administration was fortunate
In having at Copenhagen DR.. Maurice
Francis ERan. minister to Denmark,
who Is popular with the Danish gov-
eminent and . man OF tact and re.
sourcefulness.
Gradually the opposition OF the
| Danes to a REIMBURSEMENT of the
islands was overcome. The Conserv-
atives and the shipping interests are
still opposed. but the radical minis
try: now in control. favors the sale
ana prospects are excellent for the
ratihcation Of the treaty.
| vidual Danes frch. but the nation it,
| self has suffered financially as q re.
suit OF the great European struggle.
gotiation of a treaty that will bring
ADVANTAGES to each OF the high cons
tracing parties.
Viewed as Business Deal.
| The Radical ministry OF Denmarn
looks upon the proposed sale from
, the standpoint OF finance rather than
sentiment. The offer Of $4,000. 900
for reproductive colonies finds Dem
mark In an acauiescent attitude: she
needs the money. and the United
states needs the Danish West Indies.
aware Of the eo%m. nss 'S ana s Sssn
teRic advantages Of possession OF
these islands. It is expected that the
american Congress Will fall into line
was not the fault of the United
S Stares that 9th tie Islands were not &C.
The report Of tho Senate Commits.
on Foreign Relations. recommending
the purchase OF the islands in 1902 said:
| These islands. together with Porto
Eeo, are OF great Importance in Z
military or commercial. St. Thomas 10
the natural port OF call for ali Eu-
ropean trade bound to the West Indies,
central America. and northern South
America.
These islands. together with Porto
Rico. form the northeastern corner OF
the Caribbean sea and are OF great i'm
portance In connection with the Ameri-
can isthmus They are Of first i'm
lions to the region of the Orinoco and
the Amazon and with our control Of
the Windward passage.
I'm view Of the isthmian, canal and
European settlements In South America,
every additional acquisition by the
United States Is Of value. Porto Rico
Is densely populated. Its roads are
poor. II has long coast line without
quently very difficult Of defense. San
Juan is the only harbor capable OF
fertilization, and this is only suitable
for vessels Of light draft"
Chief Product Sugar Cane.
The natives of the West Indies are
chiefly engaged In the production Of
sugar cane. This. industry. however.
has Jagged Of recent years. and the
revenue has never been large. and fails
to offset the cost Of maintenance Of the
islands.
Improved methods OF manufacture OF
sugar ana the competition elsewhere
has about killed the industry. FIFTY
years ago St Thomas was a commercial
place OF importance. but It's decadenct
began In the SOS and 1t is now in need
OF the reJuvenation which the United
States Is In position to give II and the
surrounding islands.
The ports or the Danish West Indiei
are free. That fact is partly responsible
for whatever business the islands may
have done within recent years.
Some semblance OF the old-time COM
mercial activity has been possible
through the call OF the vessels or many
nations. although st. Thomas long age
lost its prestige, and the days when III
harbor was crowded and a stop at Char
lotte Amelie was a social incident In any