The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-09-15
Are the Danish
West Indies deS-
tined 10 become a
great naval base for \ |
the better protection of =
the Panama Canal Zone?

f.gyVTF DENMARK finally cedes Ael
tWA West Indian possessions tC
Sz5sssss the United States, ms she hu'
E1seI threatened TO do on several oc
cuslons, about 1873 sQuar,
miles viii be added to the territory
over which the American flag llies, unl
oar government will come into posses
sion of one OF the finest harhors IN
the West ludies-u valuable uuya
base and coaling station long coveted
by political and military authorities in
Washington. This is according to Il
writer in the New York Times AIugu-
Eine.
st. Thomas, 81. John, ST. Croix and
the other tiny Islands and rocks which
compose the Danish West Indies are
not intrinsically valuable. Their land
is poor their crops are small, their
population Is becoming smaller ycnr by
year; for several years their revenue
has been decreasing and they have
been financial burden to Denmark.
but they lie in strategic position with
regard 10 the Atlantic trade routes
leading TO the Panama canal, and for
fhat reason they have a potential value
IN the scheme of defense which must
be worked out 70 protect that great
waterway against an enemy.
The chief surprise in Washingtons
announcement recently Of the negotia-
ton of u treaty with Denmark for the
transfer of the islands to the United
States was the puce-S25 OOO,OOO-
which the convention fixed. In 1865
Secretary Seward offered S5.OOO.OOO
for the islands and increased the sum
10 ST,500,OOO two years later. In 1902
the Roosevelt administration agreed to
pay S5,OOO,OOO, hat the upper house Of
the Danish rigsdag refused to ratify
the convention, which the Urited
States senate had ratified on February
II. Possibly Denmark will eventually
be willing to accept less than S25,OOO,-
900, for an influential element in that
country is anxious to sell the islands.
Moreover the islanders themselves
apparently wish to improve their eco
nOmic condition, and 1t is highly prob
able that they would vote to place
their future IN the bands of the United
States, They voted in favor Of the
t-aI5fer 80 years ago and they have
less to lose and more to gain ut this
time.
The reasons that induced the
/ TTRfF.T 10 y1,.,
Danish West Indies toward the close
of the Civil war apparently hold good
today with certain notifications. Dur
ing the Civil war the federal govern
ment had no naval base In the West
Indies, and when it was necessary to |
reit warships on duty in che Caribbean /
the vessels were compelled TO take
long voyage to find a shipyarl. Now |
however, the United States has naval |
bases in Cuba and Porto Rico. but |
these are not considered sufficient to |
guard the trade routes and the ATTAIN |
tic entrance TO the Panama canal. San |
Juan, the chief port Of Porto Rico has
Il spacious anchorage, but unfortunate-
ly the water Is comparatively shallow
and the harbor is suitable only for the
smaller class Of war vessels.
On the other hand, the harbor of
Charlotte Amalie, in st. Thomas, is
deep enough to float the largest battle
ships without danger, and there is an
other good anchorage called Coral bay
in st. John. With proper Notifications
naval men believe that St. Thomas
would provide a serviceable and vir.
tually impregnable base--a sort If
American HeIgoland in the Caribbean.
The port Of Charlotte Amalie has long
been one Of the great coaling stations
Of the world. 1t has shipyards, dry
docks and repair shops, and besides
being port of refuge it is the head
quarters for several lines Of passen-
ger and freight steamships. UndOubt-
edly the ports proximity to the Puma
ma canal gives it an importance which
may account for the high price the
United States is asked to pay for the ,
Stands.
1t has been said at various times s
nat NetIhduS Is OppOSeu 10 ule sale OF
he islands, hoping that some day a t
modification Of the Monroe doctrine G
would enable her to acquire them for /
naval purposes. Whatever truth there t
nay be in this statement it is certain +
hat the United States will allow no t
Oreign power to take control Of the t
Danish West Indies, even though they v
re not brought under the American 4