The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-07-07

Under the Danish regime the
governor Of the colonies lived In
Charlotte Amalie from October 1 to
April 1. and in Christiansted, on the
island Of st. Croix, from April l to
October l. He was assisted by
colonial council, consisting OF four
members nominated by the crown and
eleven elected by the people. How
well the population was represented
may be judged by the statement that
out Of nearly 1900 inhabitants, in
1891, only 200 we're voters. There was
no color line In st. Thomas, or in
either of the other islands for that
matter, and the larger part Of the
population is of mixed blood
The state church was Lutheran,
although all others we're tolerated.
The Catholic and Episcopal congrega
tons are the largest. The former has
established fine school for girls. The
Jews have well-built synagogue, while
the Moravians have long been doing
an important work among the negroes
Of the island. The Dutch Reformed
and Wesleyan churches have also been
engaged In like work.
May Be Second Gibraltar.
Naval officers declare that St.
Thomas possesses advantages ena-
bling 1t to be converted into a second
Gibraltar. The structure Of the island,
with its long central ridge, having
general elevation of about 1000 feet,
with some points 1900 feet, Is
especially fitted for the emplacement
of Notifications commanding both
shores at the same time, making it
extremely difficult for an enemy to
approach or obtain a foothold on the
island. The elevated ground in the
immediate neighborhood of the eX-
cellent roadSteads makes the question
of harbor defense a comparatively
easy one. While being near other
islands, ST. Thomas is practically in
the open ocean, and permits entrance
and egress of a fleet without being OBJ
served
ST, John, the smallest Of the three
islands, with good harbor in Coral
Bay is only s miles long and
miles wide In its broadcast part. 1t
has population of less than 1000 i
but 1t is an island that has done great
service to America, for it is from here
that come the leaves of the bay tree
(Pimenta acris), from which that we'll
nigh Indispensable toilet article for
men, bay rum, is prepared. While
most of the bay rum is made in St
Thomas, St. John produces most Of
the raw materials from which it Is
distilled
This island once had many logwood
trees on it, but they have almost
entirely disappeared. Charcoal has
long been in demand and the natives
use logwood in its manufacture. All
of the islands have a striking variety
of vegetation, 1000 species having
been counted on st. Thomas, and a
proportionate number on st. John and
st. Croix. The plantain. banana,
sapodilla, bell apple, orange, mango
and lemon thrive. Sugar-cane flourish
es when cultivated according to
modern standards.
Communication between st. Thomas
and st. John is maintained by several
sloops One Of these has a history
Of more than a century in active ser
vice. 1t is the Vigilant, which has
been, in turn, pirate, slave trader and
man-o'-war. Then she became a pro-
sale dispatch boat, carrying mail and
cargo between the several islands.
St. croix the Largest.
st. Croix Is the largest, richest, and
most populous Of the three islands. 1t
lies 40 miles south-southeast of st.
Thomas, has an area of S425 square
miles, and population of approx
imately 10000. 1t has much rich
sugar land, more than 5000 acres
being devoted to the crop. It is
purely agricultural, with fine tropical
climate, excellent scenery, good roads,
and hospitable people. Here, as in
the other islands, one hears perhaps
more English spoken than any other
| tongue. The Danes never attempted
to Interfere with the native preference
for English and never made Danish
compulsory In the schools.
The island Is perhaps more like
United States than any other terri
tory in the West Indian group. Be
fore the days of Bermuda's ascendency
as winter resort, and Of Palm Beach,
the Riviera and other places, many
fashionable Americans journeyed to
st. Croix to escape the cold. Also the
children Of the prominent families of
st. Croix came to the United States
to study, for the st. Croix planter
admired America and her straight
from shoulder way Of doing things.