Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-06

United States did not purchase the Vir-
gin Islands as an investment: they were
purchased primarily for strategic pur-
poses" The Post-Dispatch concludes,
This having been clear to preceding
administrations, both Republican and
Democratic, Mr.. Hoover's pessimistic
and somewhat impatient statement
seems decidedly out of order"
Suggestion that there would be public
approval OF an effort to dispose Of the
Islands comes from the Milwaukee Sem
tinel, while the st. Louis Globe. Demo-
crat expresses doubt that Denmark
would take them back as a gift" and
suggests that their attractions as Q
Winter resort are many, did Mediter-
ranean tourists only know It." The
Roanoke Times advises: ut is the
clearest Of facts that the Virgin Islands
are going to be financial liability TO
the Government and a formidable
claim upon private philanthropic or
CARNATIONS. Practically their only value
Is a negative one. It would be mex
pedient to have some other nation own
them in case Of any war menacing our
control Of the Panama Canal"
y \ y
Doubt that under prohibition the
islands would attract tourists is voiced
by the Rockford Morning Star and the
Providence Bulletin. Nevertheless, the
Oakland Tribune holds that their eli
mate sis pleasant the year round and
the beauty Of the islands Is unsurpassed
in the whole sweep of the Windwhrd
group" The Charleston Is. CO. Eve
ming Post believes that there is not
much the President could or can do to
restore the rum industry in the Virgin
Islands, but his visit, If it accomplishing
no more, VIII give assurance to the pND-s
pie dwelling there that they havesxnh
been entirely forgotten by the ruler b
the Republic into which they have been
incorporated" The Asbury Park Press
holds that IL the people had the right
OF self-determinatio ton in relation to pro-
hibition, "the islands. instead of being
upon their foremost native industry;
that sit is unfair to chide them for not
having that of which We have robbed
them"
Possibilities in stock raising are en-
phasized by the San Antonio Express,
and the Worcester Telegram offers the
hopeful view: THE losses which derive
from the eighteenth amendment may be
partially retrieved by relief to the bay
rum industry and by diversiflcation Of
crops. But another relief already Is
pparent-emigration The population
has dwindled by 20 per cent in is
years owing to the liberty given natives
to pass over to the continental limits
of the United States-a liberty they
could not enjoy under Danish rule. The
Virgin islanders, indeed, may yet solve
their own problems"
IF rum is their way out of an eco
nomic hole" argues the Chicago Trib-
une, " they should be allowed to make
their rum. An extension of the most
favored state provision would cover this
situation. If California can be INDUCED
In fhn 10
with the sanction Of Volstead and q
subsidy from the Farm Board, the Vir-
gin Islands could be allowed to make
their own brand Of intoxicaIit. It at
least would not be imported legally into
the United States. The California in
toxicant goes all over the country. AS
Mr. Hoover saw the islanders, they are
is a scandal to the United States, which
seems to have bought so many slaves
Of circumstance"
''The Virgin Islanders seem unable TO
understand" states the Hartford Cou-
rant, why, II the Philippines can be
wet, as they are, they likewise should
not be able to enjoy similar degree Of
ofhcial consideration. The same nag COW
ers both possessions, and why It should
dy dry in one place and wet in the other
is beyond the comprehension Of the In
habitantS of the islands. But the Pres
ident is probably more Immediately con-
cerned just now with prohibition devel-
opments nearer home"
1T Is well to remember" suggests the
Buffalo Evenings News, that rulings ia
the cases of the Philippines and Porto
Rico warrant the opinion that the Con-
stitution does not extend automatically
to the Virgin Islands. In that case.
Congress has authority to exempt them
from the Volstead act. Nevertheless.
some consideration also must be given
to the fact that Porto Rico, which also
had thriving rum trade. enacted pro-
hibition by q vote of its own people
before the eighteenth amendment was
adopted by the United States. A real
sentiment against the abuses of the al
cohol trade existed there, as well as
here. A general plan of modification
for the entire country probably would
be best, also, for its West indian pos