The Mentor: The Virgin Islands of the United States of America, Vol. 6, Num. 13, Serial No. 161, August 15, 1918

In Short

This travelogue and historical overview captures the Virgin Islands at the precise moment of their transition from Danish to American rule. Through lush descriptions of tropical landscapes and candid observations of local customs, it explores the islands' past as a hub for pirates and sugar plantations, while arguing for their necessity as a naval bulwark for the Panama Canal. Written for a general audience, it serves as a snapshot of American expansionism, offering a mix of geographical insight, colonial history, and the optimistic, if paternalistic, attitudes prevalent in the United States during the Great War.

The Story

The narrative begins with an evocative arrival at St. Thomas, where the author describes a scene of vibrant color: palm trees, bustling markets, and children playing under the tropical sun. From the vantage point of the hills overlooking Charlotte Amalie, he paints a picture of a tranquil, picturesque world that seems disconnected from the industrial pace of the North. However, this aesthetic appreciation quickly shifts toward a formal examination of the islands’ history and their new geopolitical significance to the United States.

The historical arc traces the islands from their discovery by Columbus to their long tenure under the Danish crown. The author recounts the cycles of boom and bust that characterized the Danish era, noting how the rise of the beet sugar industry and the abolition of slavery in 1848 left the islands in a state of economic decline. He details the long, fitful diplomatic struggle to bring these territories under the American flag, a process spanning over fifty years and complicated by European power struggles and the threat of German influence.

As the story moves toward the present, the tone shifts from historical reflection to a firm assertion of American duty. The author describes the islands—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—not merely as lands to be settled, but as a strategic "keystone" essential for protecting the Panama Canal. He portrays the islands as being in need of rejuvenation, suggesting that the former Danish administration, while orderly and generally benevolent, lacked the capital and modern infrastructure required for the islands to flourish. He outlines the practical realities of the takeover: the establishment of military fortifications, the introduction of American administrative methods, and the hope for a new tourism industry.

The narrative concludes with an optimistic outlook on the integration of the islands into the American fold. The author contrasts the "dimmed glory" of the past with the potential for future development, positioning the United States as a provider of prosperity and modern order. By invoking the memory of Alexander Hamilton—a native of St. Croix who rose to prominence in America—the author connects the islands to the foundational narrative of the United States. He leaves the reader with the image of a "cheerful and hopeful" people ready to embrace their new identity, signaling that the transition is complete and the islands’ future is now inextricably linked to the strength and guidance of the American republic.

How It Unfolds

The arrival at the harbor The author describes the initial encounter with the islands, focusing on the vibrant sensory details of St. Thomas. He notes the appearance of the local population and the bustling market life, setting a scene of tropical charm before turning to the broader geographical context.

A legacy of shifting powers The narrative summarizes the complex history of the archipelago, detailing the succession of European colonial flags and the rise and fall of the sugar economy. This section establishes the islands as a crossroads of maritime history, once defined by piracy and commerce, now left to recover from economic stagnation.

The long road to annexation The author outlines the decades of negotiations between the United States and Denmark, highlighting the failed treaties and the influence of international powers like Germany. This sequence explains why the islands were finally purchased, emphasizing the strategic necessity of the harbor at St. Thomas.

Life under the new flag The narrative examines the social and educational landscape, noting the influence of Danish law and the transition to American oversight. It discusses the literacy of the inhabitants and the expectations of the local population regarding the benefits of the transfer to the United States.

Geographic and economic potential The author shifts focus to the individual islands, describing the agricultural prospects of St. Croix and the maritime utility of St. John. He argues that with American investment and infrastructure, these islands can transition into a thriving winter resort and a secure naval bastion.

The People

The book focuses less on individual characters and more on the collective identities of the islanders and the administrators. The native inhabitants are described as "simple" and "childlike," a characterization reflective of the period’s attitudes. They are depicted as a people who, having lived through economic decline, look toward the United States as a "Santa Claus" figure, hoping for the wealth and development they feel they have been denied.

Alexander Hamilton serves as the essential historical figure, invoked to bridge the gap between the islands and the American consciousness. By highlighting his origins on St. Croix, the author suggests a pre-existing, almost fated connection between the islands and the nation that now governs them.

The Danish officials are portrayed as orderly and cleanly, having established a stable society that, while perhaps lacking in ambition or capital, provided a solid foundation for the incoming American authorities. The American Marines and administrators are the forward-facing agents of this new era, tasked with the practical work of policing, fortifying the harbors, and modernizing the infrastructure. These figures collectively represent the transition from colonial stagnation to the perceived dynamism of the American system, framed as a partnership where the "courteous" and "industrious" local population will eventually benefit from the tutelage and resources provided by their new government.

In Its Own Voice

We landed at St. Thomas in front of a little square overhung by palm and mango trees and shaded by lofty ferns, and were at once among a strange population.

This describes the author’s initial arrival in the harbor of St. Thomas.

The children were all dressed in black, as nature made them, with eyes that shone like glass beads.

This provides a specific, albeit period-typical, observation regarding the appearance of the children the author encountered upon landing.

To this little world of dimmed glory and future hopes, of adventure and opportunity, the United States has fallen heir.

This reflects the author's summary of the transition of power from the Danish crown to the United States.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is an argument for the necessity of American expansionism and the validation of the Monroe Doctrine. It explores the tension between romanticizing the islands as a "tropical paradise" and treating them as cold, strategic assets for national security. The text grapples with the transition from the old world of European colonialism to the new world of American influence, questioning how a small, isolated society can be integrated into a major republic. It ultimately asks whether global power, represented by naval strength and economic development, is the inevitable and correct path for these "island gems" that have spent centuries being traded like currency between imperial powers.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American foreign policy or those who appreciate vintage travelogue prose will find this work illuminating. It offers a clear, unapologetic view of the perspective of an American observer in 1918, reflecting both the genuine curiosity of a traveler and the unquestioned assumptions of a colonial power. The descriptions of the islands—from the "golden-green" cane fields of St. Croix to the "clumsy and crumbling" arcades of Frederiksted—are vivid and linger in the mind, providing a sensory anchor to the history.

However, contemporary readers should be prepared for the attitudes of the time. The author frequently characterizes the islanders through the lens of early 20th-century paternalism, using language that is outdated and reductive. There is no attempt to capture the authentic voice of the native population, only a report on their perceived "childlike" nature. While the length is brief and the writing is accessible, the value lies in its role as a primary document—a window into the mindset of a nation that had just claimed a new territory and was busy defining its own place on the world stage. It is a work to be read for its historical transparency rather than its contemporary sensitivity.