[A LETTER FROM BERMUDA.]
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin.,—Some facetious comment was caused recently in these islands by a Secretary of State and several home newspapers referring to Bermuda as if it were the British West Indies, While, perhaps, it is pardonable that people at home should be a little vague as to the whereabouts of twenty square miles in the broad Atlantic, at the same time Bermudians are a little touchy about being called "West Indies." After all; Bermuda is no more B.W.I. than Bournemouth is the Riviera ; the climatic and the geographical difference is about the same. Bermuda is 1,000 miles due north of Jamaica.
Hurricanes this year have been a severe tax on the islands, although it is as well to remember that, with fifteen to twenty ships coming in every week, there have been only three Wrecks in the last thirty years and no loss of life. This excludes the Valerian,' of course, which just failed to reach the shelter of the land. Nearly £8,000 in money and goods were collected and sent in August to the relief of the stricken Turks Islands. For the local hurricane in October, besides many thousands of pounds spent to repair the storm damage, over £2,000 has been raised for the 'Valerian' Fund. These expenses coupled with a voluntary decision not to indulge in rum-running have impoverished the colony. The Legislature, faced with an adverse balance on the Estimates, rather than tax land or capital, has made considerable economies, which must to a certain extent arrest development. Perhaps this, in the long run, will have a salutary effect, however, for Bermuda is in continuous danger of over-rapid development and un-English tendencies. Local policy to date has been to exclude foreign capital, prohibit motor cars (a measure very popular with American winter residents), but to allow Americans (under certain restrictions) to buy and hold land in the colony.
Counterbalancing this (in spite of protests in the Legis- lature), since the Bermudian exhibit at Wembley, the Colony has always voted a grant for advertising the Islands in England as a winter resort. But in spite of a first class direct steamer from England, the result to date has been practically nil. Why do English tourists, who are of a sea-loving race, flock to the Riviera, where, as my newspaper informs me this morning, snow has been falling, while I sit in my garden to write this letter ?
Here there is a British people, determinedly loyal, and only ready to welcome the English tourist. There arc, also, representative Americans wintering in the Islands, attracted by their love of things English. The English Speaking Union flourishes. Two English steamship companies are running four steamers a week at present from New York, and the shops at Hamilton arc stocked with the best English and Parisian goods. Americans, by buying the latest Parisian models and English woollens, &c., can take them back home duty free as their own wearing apparel, so effecting a consider- able saving. I am sorry to have to state, on good authority, that the custom of stationing a regiment here is likely to be discontinued.
An English team of lawn-tennis players is coming out in February to play the local team and to meet the " crack " American players. American yachtsmen are bringing down their boats to race the Bermudians in a one-class team race of six a side—any English yachtsman with credentials would be sure of a " seat " in one of the British boats. In May comes the agricultural show, which' marks the close of our winter season.—I am, Sir, &c.,
YOUR CORRESPONDEN"P i TIIE BERMUDAS. December 22nd, 1926.
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