Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-26
UNCLE SAM IN THE CARIBBEAN--x.
Bl FREDERIC J. HASkIN.

| III FRfbtNl
CHARLOTTE AaIAI.IE. ST. THOMAS.
ID. w. l.. March 16.-Thc Thomians al
though largely African I'm descent arc
In spirit Il most cosmopolitan people
For three centuries they have been en-
tcrtaining the ships of all the world
and no nationality Is Il stranger to
them. They know exactly what to cN-
pcct 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 "a dance. y Dutch man
of-war came In the other day. and tho
sailors and officers were just cor
daily received and even found people
who spoke their own language. When
an American wnrshlp anchors here, the
old and cripple get or the streets. and
the police disappear, but no hostile
Hnimus is shown I'm these precautions:
they merely show an estimate of the
american temperament, which is fully
justified by subsequent events. The
Americans. I'm effect. take over tho
town for Il day or no. and leave the
Thomians brcathless. grinning and
heavily ballastcd with small change.
The Thomian cosmopolitanism is
shown In the way holidays are OBJ
served here. There is absolutely no
3arttality. The Fourth OF July is cele-
DRAFTED Just as enthusiastically as the
"'r'h OF the Danish King. and the only
Thomians never heard about
This effect of having occupied
prominent place In the shipping world
il further shown in the names OF young
Thoinians. Thus the walters at one
hotel include an Ivan. "a Chaunccy and
n Hans. all having dark conpicxiony
and kinky hair. In the matter OF re-
ltRion. too. there Is wide variety Of
sccts. including Roman Catholic Angli-
can Episcopalian. Moravian. Methodist
Seventh Day Adventist. Baptist and
five different varieties OF Hebrew, in
Guiding colorcd ones.
AS natural result Of his advan,aEcs
the Thomian is "A we'll Informed man.
lie seems 10 know something about al
most any subject that comes up and
he likes nothing better than to sit on
"a bench along the waterfront in the
evening and discuss international poll
tics with great eloouence and energy.
lust at present he Is considera bis i'm
pressed with the Importance Of his own
island as factor in the affairs OF tic
world.
Believes In United states.
In spite Of his cosmopolitanism. the
Thomian will not have 20 he "Aincri-
canized." He knows all about the
United States. speaks what he nagincs
to be the English language. has "A great
admiration for our republic and a com
Dlete and receptive Willingness to be-
come "a part Of II. and to share in tho
liberty equality and prosperity for
which we are famous The Thomian
thinks there is nothing the United
states cannot do IL IL wants to. 4
small boy was heard TO remark the
other day that when the Yankees come
TO St Thomas they VIII have snow
here.
II This particular wonder is beyond
our powers. we nevertheless do
wonders for the island people. The
Thomians. like the people Of St. Croix
with the exception OF a few large prop
"r'y owners. want Il civi! government.
including local assembl:; elected
withou, any property qualification FOR
the franchise.
Their other most obvious needs are
FOR 81 good industrial school and an
agricultural experiment station.
The Thoni1nS a clever people,
and often make good mechanics and
carpenters with little training. Given
Il good vocational school. many OF them
would become artisans and skilled
workers. and these would find employ
ment ia tn. harbor improvements. for
tihcations and barracks which the
government viii! erect on the island.
In this way the people would be given
occupation. and much needed capital
would stay in ST. Thomas which might
otherwise be carried back TO tho
States.
An agricultural experiment station
would almost undoubtedly solve the
problem OF what 10 do with the UNI
used soil OF ST. Thomas. This island.
which once bore crops. to-day supports
nothing but a few cattle, and does not
even produce enough fruit. vegetables
and poultry for it's own consumption.
The land Is held by Il few large
ers. and no tax is paid upon unculti-
waited land under the Danish law.
Lease Holds Are Doubtful.
Some OF the negroes rent small
patches, hut il is said that posses sion
under lease Is not secure enough to
make much Improvement worth while,
Hence St. Thomas presents the strange
spectacle OF an arabic island which il
IA waste. although 1900 people live
upon it, and many OF them are in need
OF food.
Now. 81. Thomas could certainly