Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-28
Uncle SAM in The Caribbean
and Their Needs
By Frederic J. Hoskin

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Danish West
Indies, March l6.-The Thomians, although
largely African in descent are in spirit a most
cosmopolitan people. For three centuries they
have been entertaining the ships of all the world
and no nationality is stranger to them. They
know exactly what to expect Of almost every crew
that enters their harbor. When a certain British
captain makes port they muster their resources
in Scotch whisky and get ready to give dance.
A Dutch man-of-war came in the other day and
the sailors and officers just cordially
ceived and even found people who spoke their own
language. When an American warship anchors
here the old and cripple get off the streets and the
police disappear but no hostile animus is shown in
these precautions; they merely show an estimate
of the American temperament, which is fully JUS
tilted by subsequent events The Americans, in ef-
feet, take over the town for day or so and leave
the Thomians breathless, grinning and heavily
ballasted with small change.
The Thomian cosmopolitanism is shown in
the way holidays are observed here. There is
absolutely no partiality. The Fourth of July is
celebrated just as enthusiastically as the birth
of the Danish king and the only occasions neg
lected are those the Thomians never heard about.
This effect Of having occupied prominent
place in the. shipping world is further shown in
at one hotel include an Ivan, Chauncey and
Hans, all having dark compilations and kinky hair.
In the matter of religion, too, there is wide
riety Of sects, including Roman Catholic, Angli-
can Episcopalian, Moravian, Methodist. Wesleyan,
Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adven-
tist, Baptist and five different varieties of He
brew, including colored ones.
In spite of his cosmopolitanism the Thomian
will not have to be "Americanized." He knows
all about the United States, speaks what he i'm
AGNES to be the English language, has great
admiration for our republic and complete and
receptive willingness to become part of it and
to share in the liberty equality and prosperity
for which we are famous. The Thomian thinks
there is nothing the United States cannot do if
it wants to- small black boy was heard to re-
mark the other day that when the Yankees come
to St. Thomas they will have snow here.
If this particular wonder is beyond our powers
we can nevertheless do wonders for the island
people. The Thomians, like the people of St.
Croix, with the exception of few large prop
erty owners, want civil government, including
qualification for the franchise. Their other most
obvious needs are for good Industrial school
and an agricultural experiment station
An agricultural experiment station would al
most undoubtedly solve the problem Of what to
do with the unused soil of St. Thomas This ISL
ing but few cattle and does not even produce
enough fruits, vegetables and poultry for its own
consumption. The land is held by few large
owners and no tax is paid upon uncultivated land
under the Danish law. Some OF the negroes rent
small patches, but it is said that possession under
provement WORTH while. Hence St. Thomas pre-
sents the strange spectacle of all arabic island
which is waste although 10000 people live upon
it, and many OF them are in need Of food.
Now ST. Thomas could certainly produce its
own fruits, vegetables and poultry and it could
probably produce profitable crop of some fiber
plant, provided the people areput upon the land.
American Consul Payne, who has been in St.
Thomas twelve years and is careful observer,
says that il given a chance to own land the people
would be very glad to cultivate it. Macmillan
Trepuk very intelligent Hebrew merchant, and
other prominent business men agree that the
people would make good cultivators and that to
put them back on the soil would make St. Thomas
self-supporting help business and make the ISL
and much more pleasant and inexpensive place
to live for the Americans who are to be sent here.
OF course, the practicability Of giving the Tho
mians what they want in the way OF selfgov-
eminent and an opportunity to own land depends
upon these people. A commission is to be sent
by the State department to investigate the islands
and its real problem will be to determine how
intelligent and responsive the people are.
The island negroes are poor and for that rea-
son they 60 bare-footed and often dress In rags
Furthermore, it is true that the West Indian is
not a systematic worker. He demands leisure for
the enjoyment OF life. He may not have pair
of shoes, but he lives like an English lord, never
theless, scorning to worry about material things,
cutivating the art of life.