The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-28

from the United States to the
Islands. These islands are also OF
great interest to the student For
studies of African survivals. of re-
lationships between "a variety OF
races-Negroes. whites OF all ma
tionalities. Chinese, Indian--the
islands are q great unexpected lab
'oratory. The political scientist will
find in Bermuda one of the Oldest
assemblies in the world. after the
House OF Commons. He will see In
twentieth century Barbados an
Elizabethsn survival in the form of
the vestry system. But particularly
today these islands and their in
habitants must be Of great interest
to the American public in general.
now that the Pan-American policy
demands closer cooperation and a
mutual understanding Of ones
neighbors. But strategic considera-
tons must not be allowed TO over
shadow the hun an element, basic
ally Negro, OF the equation. -"
Geographically. the islands"
sprawl from the Gulf OF Mexico to
the Atlantic with a number OF is
lands called after their original
Indian inhabitants. In the West.
Cuba is within easy reach OF
Florida, to the south and east lies
Trinidad. while lying in between
are a heterogeneous collection OF
islands with Bermuda standing iso.
lated far 10 the north. On the South
American continent are the Gull
anas; these with British Honduras
in Central America represent. apart
from Canada. the only European
area in the Western Hemisphere.
In all the islands comprise 90. 900
square miles. somewhat more than
one-thind the size Of Texas with a
population OF over - millions or
n ore than Texas population
doubled BY FAR the largest island
Is Cuba: the size OF Pennsylvania,
is population about one-half The
islands vary in size from the ~ 900
square miles OF Cuba 10 the l66 Of
Barbados and the 80 of Montserrat.
The population OF Cuba is over four
millions. Puerto Rico. one twelfth
the size OF Cuba has a population
slightly under half tina; % It's larger
sister. The lG6 square miles Of Bar
bados accommodates a population
OF $4,000 The denS.'y OF popula-
;ion Is enormous. The struggle for
survival sharp TIE mainland areas
the Guianas-present a different
surface picture. The three Guisnas.
in area larger than California. have
total population less than that
OF Los Angeles. The density OF pop
u!ation in British Honduras is six
per square mile in British Guians
IL is less than four. But less than
200 OF its $1,000 square miles are
under cultivation giving q working
density OF nearly 100 per square
mile.
The scenic beauty OF the islands
is we'll depicted in Charles Kings
ley's lines: The island. from peak
70 shore. is like a gorgeous jewel.
hanging between the blue sea and
the white surf below. and he blue
SKY and white clouds above"
To man, the absentee landlord
species in particular. such scenic
splendor has meant nothing more
than sop 10 the hungry bellies
Of the masses. As DR.. Williams puts
il. Nature IN the Caribbean has
been as kind as man has been un-
kind. Everywhere in every island /:
seen The pro-em!rent product, mile
upon mile % sugar cane. unvaryins
'noro:onous. s!srifying the magnih.
cen: wealth OF is owners a; one
pole and the magnificent misery o.
is cul;ivstors al The other. -"
As the island. having survived
The first blush OF civilization. under
went ;heir painful! growth. Labor
leaders. some not knowing lin,
az MarH!srl. but full OF the figh
which troubles mems souls where
ever the imperfections OF a system
throttles the cry for freedom ant
The pursa., OF happiness, sprang NJ
like strong tropical trees from IN,
rich gray soils below. Wha
measures wee used 10 stunt ;hei,
free growth is part OF this story. Blu
frs We must begin with the SLAYER,
background which. alas. is but IN,
foundation on which the imposing
Superstructure known as CIVIL
ZATION was built.
NEXT WEEK: The Slcvery