The New York herald., 1921-08-28
RUM SAVED BAHAMA
FROM CROWN RULE
Islands on Verge of Bank
ruptcy When Prohibition
Started Golden Flood.
ENGLAND SPURNED NOW
Native Population Wants
to Run Government Since
Revenues Have Jumped.
ONLY 20 PER CENT. WHITE
Liquor Running to United
States Creates Complex Po-
litical Situation.
ENGLAND SPURNED NOW
ONLY 20 PER CENT. WHITE
VI.

IilCdl loltudJlOns
VI.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
NASSAU, N. p, Bahama Islands, Aug
37.-It was to be expected that Ba-
hamian politics would feel the infiu-
ence of the liquor traffic that was born
simultaneously with the Eighteenth
Amendment and which came to the
rescue of colony financially defunct
There was talk of Crown rule in the
Bahamas in the latter part of 1919. II
looked as though the colony had fallen
so low in the economic scale that
Downing Street would have to step in
take over the local Government and
administer Bahamian affairs much as
a receiver takes over collapsed rail-
way.
In the furore and the prosperity of
the eighteen months following the
outlawing Of drinking in the United
States. Nassau forgot the immediate
past. The prospects of Crown rule
had been banished. The Bahamas be-
came the most prosperous colony in
the British Empire. In fact the mer-
chants Of Nassau became so prosper
Gus that talk of greater independence
of British rule became a serious topic
OF conversation. Where the business
men. deep in lethargy, had once ex-
pected the Colonial Ministry to appear
in one of his Majesty's warships at
any moment they now are repudiating
any thought of the sort.
In fact these same business men OF
Nassau are among the foremost of the
large element Of the native population
who are lined up against the present
Government of the islands and are
calling upon Gov. Cordeaux, his cab
met and his legislative counsel to re-
Sign that the Bahamas may be ruled
by Bahamians or, at least, by men
who have more in common with Ba-
hamians. Further than to say that
the existing feeling between native
Bahamians and the existing Govern
ment is bitter. this article declines
to go.
Both sides seIf-Confident.
Apparently 1t is case wherein both
sides are utterly sure of the righteous
ness of their respective causes. There
is no secessionist party; no separatist
element worthy Of consideration. The
bitterest Of the anti-Cordeaux Ba-
hamians throw UP their hands In fright
if you ask them whether they want
independence; whether there is local
Sim Fein urge; whether they consider
British rule unfair.
"Oh, no, no." they cry, nothing like
that. Pray don't intimate It, It's mere
ly this: That we rather feel that Mas
sau is the property of Nassauvians. that
Bahamians should rule the Bahamas.
We don't call 1t anything, you know,
Just sort of feel 1t. oh, were loyal
enough to the Crown and all that, but
we wish that the Crown was bit more
understanding and all that"
utter rot" is the reply Of represen-
tatiyes of the Crown. "These people are
like men who, after long abstinence,
have been drinking too much. Success
has gone to their heads. Their memo
ries have deserted them. They forget
that there were but five periods, all
widely separated, In their history when
they made money. First, they were
pirates, then they were wreckers, later
they became blockade runners during
the American civil war. then filibuster-
ing to Cuba and Central America
brought prosperity, and now they. are
overcome with prosperity due to boot
Logging
when the United States discovers a
way to stop this booze traffic they'll be
back into bankruptcy again. Then they
will cry for their mother"
When you analyze the local political
situation you discern at least four vari-
GUS sentiments. There Is an element In
the native white population--a small
element. to be sure---that would not bo
unfriendly to annexation to the United
States. AT least one business man In
formed the writer that this would be
welcome for the Jim Crow laws II would
make possible, IL for no other reason.
This man, by the way, Is a prohibition
ist. however.
He cited the fact that so per cent Of
the population of the archipelago is
black. There are $4,000 persons In
Nassau. Twelve thousand OF them are
negroes. The negroes vote The
chances OF the Bahamas becoming n
part OF the United States, II left to a
plebescite, are nil william J. Bryan's
suggestion that America buy the islands
has made Mr.. Bryan the most unpopular
man In the world, so far as the BAHIA
mas are concerned.
Home RuIc Urged by Faction.
Then there Is an element talking home
rule. They declare II unfair that the
only voice they have in the government
CT the colony is vested In the House OF
Assembly. a body that may concur in
or dissent from legislation but which is
otherwise powerless or virtually So
Next comes faction, more or less
related to the one cited In the preceding
paragraph. that says It Is willing enough
that the Crown should appoint the Gov
ornor and the Governor organize his
own executive council and legislative
council. bodies corresponding respective
" to the American Cabinet and Senate
But they insist that the Governor
chosen should be approved by the cleo
torate OF the Bahamas and that he be
clothed with less arbitrary powers In his