Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-29

huTWOHy uHuST LUO gtugS
bear the title Of Prime Minister II
British Guiana achieved change
from its present status as a
crown colony. has been a very
controversial figure in the past.
He has been labeled a Commu-
mist. as has his American-born
wife, the former Janet Rosenberg
of Chicagos In 1858, his elected
government was depoSed by Lon
don authorities, the Guianan con-
stitution suspended, and all pow
er ordered exercised by the Crown
appointed governor.
Wants Self Government
The constitution, with major
notifications, has been reinstated,
and DR.. Jagan's party continues
to win elections. But the hand
some young East Indian denies
that his party-the Peoples Pro-
greSsive-is either Communist or
Marxist. What he wants for his
country. he told this writer, is a
governmental system similar to
Puerto Rico's, by which British
Guiana could be self-governing
within the British Commonwealth.
With that achieved, DR.. Jagan
said. 1--WE could promote a 'Fo-
mento' program for Guiana that
could be enormously successful,
because we have immense re-
sources in minerals-how i'm
mense we don't even know be-
cause our country is only half
explored"
DR.. Jagan was on his way to q
conference with officials of the
British Colonial Once, at which
he was to seek approval of long
term loans and credits for British
Guiana's economic development.
Under the crown colony status,
British Guiana cannot arrange
directly with international lend
ing agencies or with other govern
ments for such assistance, but
must operate through the Colonial
Office. He contrasted that I'M
wieldy and time-conSuming sys-
tenn with the brisk efficiency of
the Puerto Rican system - and
took pains to stress his admira-
ton for the "incorruptibiIity" Of
the Puerto Rican government.
Elsewhere in the West Indies,
the Puerto Rican example has
been galvanizer also. The Brit
ish West Indies Federation, eStab-
hshed this year, hopes through
measures similar to Puerto Rico's
to raise the standards of living in
Jamaica. Barbados, Antigua. Do
minica and the other former
possessions" associated in the
new federation. (Per capita in
come in Jamaica. for example, is
estimated at 1882 annually: in
Puerto Rico it is $443. a dramatic
advance from the 1921 Of 1900
French West Indies
In the French West Indies a
similar move is already under way.
Oficials from Fort-de- France,
the beautiful capital Of the island
OF Martinique, are now in Paris
seeking major changes in the re-
lationship between the French
West Indies and the mother coun-
try. Their prospects of success
appear good, particularly since the
residents of French West Indian
lands already enjoy a large meas
ure Of independence. Visitors to
Martinique and Guadeloupe are
invariably impressed by the I'VE
are Frenchmen" attitude Of resi-
dents of many races and colors-
an attitude clearly not an affec-
tation but a profound conviction.
But curiously, the French West
Indies delegation in Paris is not
streSsing Puerto Rico's example in
talks with the De Gaulle regime.
In private conversations, Marti-
nique leaders are lavish in their
praise of Gov. Munoz and the
achievements, both political and
economic, Of Puerto Rico in
the last decade. But. as one man
observed with a grin, I'VE aren't
about to wave the American flag
at De Gaulle!"
The Netherlands areas Of the
West Indies, with Surinam Dutch
Guiana) already enjoy internal
autonomy and are well under way
with extensive economic develop
ment. Unlike Puerto Rico, Aruba.
Curacao and Surinam are rich in
resources, thus simplifying the
problems of standard-raising But
the Dutch and their former Co
lonials have accepted the Puerto