Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-26

islands and became their~governof he
was not optimistic about their future,
although, like all naval officers, he
thought that their strategic value
might some lday be worth the mil
lions given for them. In his report
in September, 1917, he estimated that
it would cost the government $780,
900 a year to keep up st. Thomas, st.
John and st. Croix, the principal
islands Of the miniature archipelago.
The deficit Of the Danish administra-
ton was actually $l15,000, although
a colonial lottery, very pOpular'among
the negro inhabitants COT per cent?,
virtually wiped it out. Under Ameri-
can rule there are no lotteries and Of
late there has been no revenue from
wine, beer and spirits. for the Virgin
Islands have been bone dry. In 1917
they produced only a little Of the
food upon which the inhabitants sup
ported life. There was no school
system to, speak of. There was not
enough water available for protection
against fire. The government build,
ings were sadly in need of repair.
About the onIy institution That Cap
tain Oliver could praise was d cheap
legal system, for the people were too
poor to indulge in litigation. Claims
were usually settled by a judge who
had before him the parties to the
dispute without attorneys to compli-
cate and prol0ng the proceedings.
The United States never does things
by. halves in its overseas possessions.
So the Virgin Hands will have good
schools n roaus. ire protepi M ,mA
efficient police. and new admins
trarlve buildings. :. Governor oAlyer $
estimate OF an annual deficit of
!, $500, 900 is likely to be very much
exceeded, which is n reason why
congress has beer slow to take up
the problem Of the Virgin Islands.
st. Thomas, which has been the
magnet for travellers and traders in
that. part of the world. depends upon
it's shipping interests for prosperity.
The war greatly curtailed its oppor-
tunities, and labor was diverted to
other islands in the West Indies. Fiji
teen, steamers of the Hamburg-Amer-
lean line used to call there every
month before the war. French, Brit
ish, Canadian and American steam
Thomas. Prices were very high in
1918 n the poverty of the natives
was ~deplorable. st. Croix depended
upon agriculture for its well-being,
sput most years were lean. after beet
sugar began to compete with the
cane product. The soil Of st. Croix,
however. has not been worked sterile,
and there is IN opportunity for sue
,cessful fruit growing in addition to
the sugar harvests, which should be
valuable for som years to come. st,
John is in the same category as st
Croix; that is to say, st. John must
grow sugar and fruits to show a bal
ance on the right side of the ledger
A difficulty in getting congress tc
legislate literally for the islands Is
the conviction that the United States
EEvn1I n0ko~o%h4~ <~4 v,f,oh f4~ hN ~
and capital cannot be interested II
their development. lis it<pot pos
sible,"5 asked Representative Britter
in the house during n of the de
bates upon what the country shoult
do for the Virgin Islands, that W.
purchased a lemon grover TINS acle
humor ~ SO much appreciated tina
laughter, Perhaps a squeezed
flemon."i
!. The future Of the Virgin Islands,!
much fairer than the cynics in con
gress will allow. The islands may b
likened to a property run down, ten
anted4 bys-a people in debt and dis
couraged. a people with limitex
mean of education and strangers tt
sanitation. Yet, poor as they ee
they contributed to the .LibertpLLpan'
during the war, and they celebrate
the Fourth OF July with enthusiasm
It is the duty of the United States tx
put the Islands in proper repair, *
establish a modern. school system
and to assist in developing the re
sources of the islands. which include
cotton. as well as sugar, fruits aps
early vegetables. 1t may be SLOW
work improving economic conditions
but unless it ID taken up in the righ
spirit the Virgins will never pay In
terest upon the $4,000, 900 the!