Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-23

The nearest thing TO town Is at
Cruz Bay. where perhaps l5e people
i've and government is represented
by one Judge and two policemen.
St John has the appearance of being
almost II wilderness 1t lifts out OF
tn" "ca a@ Il forcstcd mountain. seal
Hoped with little halr-rncon beaches
set In thick Jungle The only way tn
get ABOUT the interior is on horseback
along narrow trials that skirt u.on
canyons and are hacked through dense
brush Yet this neglected island Is
richly endowed and ought to be pros
porous.
Proof Against Hurricanes.
In Coral Bay II has 81 harbor which
is said to he absolutely hurricane
proof. and so windicss that sailing
craft can only with difficulty leave H.
Its highest peak is 1000 foe, above sea
level. and the upper mountain slopes,
though ohly "a few miles from the cons,
are delightfully."- cool all the wear
around. Withal. ST. John IL considered
the best watcrcd OF the Virgin is
lands. and has 1t rich soil Although
4 has long boon neglected by civilized
men. tho ancient Caribs appreciated
this island. and have left upon It's
rocks numerous inscriptions which arc
remarkably well preserved.
The most important industry OF the
Danish islands is tho raising OF sugar
cane on ST. Croix. where it is esti-
Hlatch thht lbooo snort tons VIII TO
produced this year. The large crop
combined with war prices has made
the island more prosperous than for
many years. Although commonly de-
scribed as a very rich island, tho can.
yield on st. CroiX Is not heavy and
tho planters had been losing for SOW
cral years. Several Of them manufac-
turc their entire product into the run,
which Is widely known by the nam.
OF the island Annexation to the United
states means some loss to these plant
"rs. for they say that It would h.
impossible to continue their hustncs.
under tho severe restrictions irnposed
by tho United States revenue lawr
while national prohibition seems i'm
mincnt. Nevertheless. even th..s
planters welcome tho change. and ara
ready TO scrap their stills and sell their
cane TO the sugar factories. Most ~
the Cann produced on the island 4,
now converted into sugar at ono Srcat
factory. which buys tho cane from tho
planters
Cotton I, Easily RAISED.
Tho soil OF ST. Croix is admirably
adapted 10 the raising OF the valuable
long STAPLE. sea-islanh cotton. In 1919
1000 acres had been planted in cotton.
but war conditions and insect pests
forced the planters 10 abandon the
business They arc convinced. how
ever. that cotton will ultimately b.
az important crop on st. Croi1 as
suEar-cane. The planters also hciicv.
that with annexation TO the United
states They Will get more regular boa,
service which Will enable them profit
ably 10 raise pncnpples There arA
largo areas o. h!l land which could
be devoted 10 p:ncapplcs and other
fruits
Cattle. horses and mules are raised
on ST. Croi&, and there arc especially
good commercial prospects In mule
raising. AS the English islands afford
a ready market At good prices, and
mules do not stand tho long sea voy-
ago from this country VOL. Annex
alton 10 the United States means 20
tho Island planter that no must face
the prospect OF prohibition. which nc
does not IKE either from n personal
or business standpoint But II also
means free sugar. better boat service
and efficient government. on tho
whole. he is moro than satisfied.