The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-12-27
TOMORROW IN CUBA"
Former Wellington Man Writes EnfeI
taingIy ON the Subject.

taingly on the Subject
Charles NJ. Pepper, son Of Rev. Geo.
W. Pepper, both of whom were resi-
dents Of Wellington nearly 30 years
ago, has written one Of the most
thoughtful books on Cuba that has
appeared since the Spanish war.
Mr. Pepper went to Cuba as q news
paper correspondent in 1897. With the
exception Of the short intermissiOn
passed with the American army and
navy outside the island, he was there
throughout the most critical period.
His book is not only a repository Of
facts that seem authoritative, but
he, more than most writer's Of books Of
this class, seems able to use his facts.
Mr.. Pepper has the philosOphic tenn
permanent Of the careful student Of eco
nomic and political conditions and his
book is much more than mere newspa-
per correspondence. The first third Of
the book is historical, showing briefly,
but comprehensively, the events that
led up to autonomy and the causes that
made autonomy failure. 1t is by far
the most intelligent book on the sub
ject thatI have seen and is written
with much more fairness, both to
Spaniard and Cuban,.s than we have
Deen accustomed to in recent books
about Cuban affairs. Then follows q
careful study Of present day conditions
from the standpoint Of political gov
ernment, the condition of the colOred
race, the relation Of the Spanish colo
ny, now aliens in their own home; the
probabilities of immigration and col
onization with q consideration Of the
sugar and tobacco interests, trade and
taxation and internal Improvements.
The religion, politics and morality of
the island each have thoughtful chap
ters and there is q forecast to con-
clude.
Itis impossible in abrief space to give
an outline Of book so full Of meat and
even an outline would lack the con-
vincing quality Of Mr.. Peppers writ
ing. The colored race will always be
a strong element in Cuban life and the
color line can not be drawn in the
slightest degree. There is no reason
in this to expect that there will be any
considerable influx of negroes from
the United States. A large Spanish
element who are best fitted for the
island life will probably cast lots.With
the Cubans, but the majority will con-
tinue their allegiance to Spain. With
the establishment Of q stable govern
meat Havana in time should equal in
size and importance the metropolis Of
Brazil Cuba will always be, however,
an agricultural country and this sug-
gests the greatest need Of the island
farm labor, SO largely depleted BY the
process Of recommendation. 1t 10 not
probable that American farm hands
will seek employment in the cane fields
Of Cuba. That labor will have to come
from the blacks and the Spanish peas
antry who come to stay and not merely
for temporary residence. Americans
who 20 to Cuba will not be content
with such low grade Of employment.
The necessary increase in railroad
building may furnish employment for
immigrants who eventually may settle
down as part Of the agricultural class
So far as the morality Of the island is
concerned, it 10 no more fair to eonsid-
or the excesses Of Havana life as rep
resentative than it il to regard the ad-
venturers and riif-rah from America
that have swept like cloud upon Cuba
since the military occupation as repre-
sentative Of healthy life in our own
country.
when the custom-hOuse passed un-
der American control 1T was brokers
from the United States who went about
whispering their ability to keep up the
old fraudulent practices in new ways:
American firms were the first ones
caught in actual smuggling: American
strumpetry drove through the streets
Of Havana in blazoned coaches and pro-
claiming its presence: American
drunkards also reeled through the
streets Of city in which drunkenness
ives so rare as to be 9 genuine novelty
Havana saw more drunkenness in thr
six months following American Oecg-
patson than it had seen in sixty years
American gamblers sought TO dispute
BY new devices the lean piekings Of the
gaming table with the native sgAm-
blers," and 80 for quantity. No won
der that American military eOntrui
was necessary to protect the island
from American harpies."
Mr.. Pepper thinks that while the
overwhelming majority Of Cuban peo-
pie are not thinking Of early aHn-Is
tion, they are not in hurry 10 e.
themselves adrift. "And when shneH
alton does come, Il ever, It must be II
the shape Of statehood, territorial gOV
eEnmsnt would never be liberated b
- CubanG EostAaS rsas0s '.@aaifs.s
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