U.S. NAVAL BASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 November 1934, Page 14

U.S. NAVAL BASE

«. COSTLY VIRGIN ISLANDS WASHINGTON, October 7. Another political storm has burst over the Virgin Islands following the resignation of Mr. Paul Yates, who was recently appointed executive assistant to the Governor. Mr. Paul Pearson, at. St. Thomas. This once again directs attention to the series of violent struggles that have centred around the Virgin Islands, formerly known as the Danish West Indies, almost, continuously since their acquisition from Denmark in 1917.

The islands were purchased for £5,000,000 as a protective base in the event of remote naval contingencies, and have never prospered under American rule. Three years ago Mr.' Hoover during a visit described them as “a poor house which it was unfortunate that, we ever acquired.” Prohibition ruined the rum trade, which was the chief source of revenue, and succeeding governors appointed by different Administrations in Washington, usually as rewards for services to their party, have not succeeded in allaying the discontent which has been rife among the islanders ever since they were removed from Danish control.

The latest scandal has arisen over the peremptory recall of Mr.. Yates to Washington to answer charges of inefficiency and insubordination. He has retaliated by sending long cable messages to the American newspapers, indignantly stating that he had already resigned, and that nearly two months ago he notified the Administration that as an ardent supporter of President Roosevelt’s new deal, he would sacrifice his official position in the islands to “remedy corrupt and disgraceful conditions prevailing there.”