The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-28

Cuban problems as they appear to an
American are discussed in a book to
be published by Harper s. Brothers,
under the title of Tomorrow in Cdba.
The author is Charles NJ. Pepper, the
newspaper correspondent, whose cor
respondence from the island during the
last years Of Spanish rule, and subse-
quently under the American military
occupation, attracted attention.
Mr.. Pepper gives an historical view
of the revolutionary movements in Gu
ba, because of their bearing on it's fu-
ture government He recites in de-
tail the long agitation for autonomy,
and its ultimate concession by the
Spanish government under pressure
from the United States. Incidental to
this is a chapter on the insurrection,
and the ideas which governed Maxine
Gomez and Antonio Maceo III their
guidance of the armed revolt of the
Cubans. Two opposite types Of Span"
ish soldiers and military governors are
analyzed in the characters of Martinez
Campos and Valeriano Weyler.
In a brief discussion of the steps
which led to- the war with Spain. Mr.
Pepper holds that war was inevitable
from the time that President Cleveland
in his message to Congress, affirmed
the right of the United States to inter-
vene, and this certainly was empha-
sized when President Mckinley took
the same ground. In describing the
state Of mind in Havana before and af-
ter the Maine explosion Mr.. Pepper
discredits the inlammatory circular
which was distributed the morning
that Consul-General Lee gave a break
fast to Captain Sigsbee. In his opin-
ion it was not genuine, ana the resent
ment Of the Spanish classes who later
rejoiced in the destruction of the Maine
was not reflected in this circular.
ECONOMIC CAUSES.
In outlining the present and future
political conditions in Cuba, Mr. Pep
per gives much weight to economic
causes as agencies in determining the
ultimate form of government which
shall obtain. He takes the somewhat
novel view that the rapid reconstruc-
tion of the sugar industry and the
further extension of cane cultivation
is not the most pressing need of Cuba.
While general prosperity can only
come through the gradual return of
the sugar market, he holds that it is
to the benefit of the island, both DO
litically and in an economic sense, TO
have parallel lines of agricultural de-
Velopment encouraged. From his
standpoint the growth of small-f farm
| ing, grazing, fruit-raisinG, tobacco
| culture, and the like, is the greatest
need of Cuba, and will be beneficial
| because these industries encourage
| small capitalists and small land-own-
| ers, who will be most useful in mould
| ing the political commonwealth. Mr.
! Pepper also holds that in this agricul-
| tural DEVELOPMENT the best openings
will be found for Americans. Sugar
! growing is so essentially for large
! capitalists that it can offer no induce
ments to persons Of small means.
The presnt conditions of the sugar
! industry and the prospects of changes
in methods in the future are briefly
! discussed. The author thinks that
changes may be looked for which viii
enable cane cultivation to be carried
on with success on a smaller scale
than is now done, but this will be a
matter of years rather than Of months
| While deprecatinE an artiAcial stim.
]
pense of encouraging diversified prod.
ucts, he expresses faith that Cuba viii
continue the great sugar-cane pro.
ducng island of the world i'm suit5
Of the beet-root competition of Europe
He does not look upon a free marke
I'm the United States as essential. bu'
is of the opinion that a fair degree OF
reciprocity will afford the necessary
margin in the cost of production, whicl
will enable the plantations of Cuba tC
be reconstructed. Tobacco cultiva.
tion, he says, is sure to increase. Th,
trade of the island is so largely VIII
the United states that he regards re-
| ciprocity as the certain basis of futur,
commerce,
SHIPPING FACILITIES.
In explaining the present railroad
system of the island and the opportun
tiles for further railway construction
Mr.. Pepper points out how the mer