The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-23
DANISH ISLAND RESIDENTS NOT
 UNITED ON SALE
Foreign Interests In West Indies Oppose Transfer to
 United States.

St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, St. Thomas is divided as to the de- sira bility of the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States, as proposed in the pending treaty be- tween the United States and Denmark. That the chief foreign interests on the island are opposed to the change in sovereignty there seems no doubt, while there is by no means a unanim- ity of opinion among the inhabitants themselves, largely, it appears, be- cause of the uncertainty as to what use the harbor of St. Thomas, the isl and's chief asset, would be put to under the proposed new ownership.
 So far there has been little public discussion of the subject, although not little astonishment or resentment is freely expressed because the inhab- itants were not consulted by the au- thorities in Copenhagen before the negotiations had progressed so far.
 Uneasiness among the people as to the changes the transfer would neces- sitate has to do with the new laws. the system of taxation, and the intro duction of foreign capital that would follow, but most of all with the sta tus of the splendid harbor, with the possibilities and development of which the life and welfare of the in- habitants are linked. The fear is ex- pressed that if the harbor were turn into a fortified base, in connection with the Panama Canal defenses, the development of St. Thomas as a com mercial port might be interferred with or stopped.
 In connection with this phase of the uestion, it is pointed out that but re- gently fine pier 2,000 feet long with large warehouses, coal conveyers, a water supply, and large stocks of COAL and oil fuel and other facilities for shipping; was recently constructed by Danish capital at a cost of more than s1, 800, ,O0O These and other improve ments had been effected in the hope of attracting large amount of shipping, which, it was expected, would be using the Panama Canal, especially that em- ployed in the European trade, the island lying in that direct route, but the protracted war in Europe has proved a serious setback. After all these preparations and hopes, the present condition of the harbor of St. Thomas is pitiable, its trade being all most inconsistent, few steamers call ing for coal and other supplies.
 The chief foreign interests connect ed with St. Thomas at present are the Hamburg-American Line, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company of Lon don, which maintains a floating dock and repair shop, and also the West India and Panama Telegraph Com pany of London. St. Thomas is the West Indian headquarters of the Hamburg g-American Line, which maintained during normal times two well-equipped docks with large quan- titles of coal and other supplies for their ships, which called here regu- | larly. thus giving employment to large number of laborers and others, and the government in return gave the line great facilities, such as the transhipping and the storing of cargo in transit in it's warehouses without customs inspection and other similar facilities.
 With the transfer of the island to the Americans, it is thought that these facilities might be curtailed, or per haps abolished. It is even asserted that the officials of the Hamburg American line have expressed the opinion that under these conditions if the transfer is consummated, there is a possibility that their headquar- ters will be removed to the Dutch Island of Curacao.
 Notwithstanding this great feeling of uncertainty and division of opinion there are many who think there are great possibilities for improved con- ditions for St. Thomas, passing their opinion of the reliance that should the transfer occur, American fore sight, pride, and business methods would. redeem the declining island benefiting is just as Porto Rico has been benefited. They believe that the United States. possessed of the essen | tials that make for progress, will not rashly change the existing conditions but study the problem. carefully and do its utmost for the island, especially | its harbor, and that it will consider also the possibility of introducing and | promoting agriculture.