The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-28
DAVIDOW BROS.
227 LACKAWANNA AVENUE

chant marine and the coasting trade
will affect it by competition. Much
stress is laid by him upon the sources
of labor and the differing views as to
whence it shall be drawn. In a chap
ter on immigration and colonization he
combats strongly the ideas of Ameri-
can capitalists, and gives his own
views as to the immigration which is
desirable for Cuba and the countries
from which it may be drawn. Though
believing that labor in Cuba will al
ways command relatively high wages,
and that the political results will be
beneficial, Mr.. Pepper dssents from the
prevailing opinion that farm labor from
the United States will flow into the
island
In discussion of the social and race
conditions, Mr. Pepper says the major
ity of the Spanish classes will probably
avoid taking part in political affairs.
In chapter on the Spanish colony, he
analyses the various elements which
compose it and it's probable tendencies.
More Importance is given by him to the
colored race in Cuba, whose industrial.
social, and political standing is ana
lyzed. In a review of the relative pro-
portion Of the whites and blacks for a
century, as shown by the various CEN
sus statistics, Mr. Pepper reaches a
definite conclusion regarding the status
of the race in the future. He declares
that most of the blacks in Cuba are
opposed to schemes of negro colonial
ton. He also discusses the idea of a
black West India league. In describ-
ing the Chinese. Mr.. Pepper hints that
the question of Chinese immigration is
one that will confront either the United
States or the government of Cuba at
an early date.
MILITARY RULE.
In a chapter on the American mill
tary control, the author explains just
what the nature of that control is, and
points out that Cuba is merely held
by the United States as a foreign ter
ritory under military occupancy. He is
warm in his praises of the American n
military administration, both for it's
| efficiency in restoring normal condi-
tions and for the fidelity and integrity
with which the American officials,
istered their trusts. The example they
have given, he thinks. fully justifies
the confidence reposed in them But
while eulogizing the military admins
! tration, Mr.. Pepper holds that it can
| not be continued indefinitely. He does
not give much value to it as an educa-
ton for the Cubans in self-govern-
ment. Its nature, he points out is es-
sentially similar to the old Spanish
| system of absolute power, though its
| application may be mild.
Mr.. Pepper also criticises the
tendency of the military authority to
interfere with Latin customs and
habits grounded in tradition and in
the usages of the people. While the
! military power may enforce a tempo
rary acquiescence in sumptuarv regu-
lations, he does not believe that it car
have a lasting effect. Moreover, hc
questions both the wisdom and the JUS.
tice of imposing foreign customs on q
Latin people. The tendency which al
| one time was noticeable, to uproot en-,
tirelY the Roman or Latin system ot
| Jurisprudence, is also criticised. A
chapter is given to the manners anC
morals of the Cubans and Spaniards
| in their bearing on social and politica
conditions. Some light is also shet
in this subject in a discussion of the
| Church i'm Cuba, the controversy be
| tween the Cuban priests and the Span
ish ecclesiastics, and the attitude o
the American authorities towards thu
| religious sects.
POLITICS.
In discussing the transition from
military control Mr. Pepper revert!
to the Autonomist agitation. Thougi
the system was failure, and thougr
the Autonomist leaders who took offict
under the Spanish government are no
likely to command the confidence o
the Cubansr- he gives much credit t.
the Autonom,st movement 70" ocVelop
ing the political aptitudes of the peo
pie In his view II was a politica
schooling which helped to prepare tn,
Cubans for free government. Mr.
Pepper indicates what he looks upo.
as the defects in Cuban character
and tnds that they are most marke.
Il, the administrative capacity, II,
docs not attach much importance L
the dissensions of the Cuban leaders
among themselves, and apparently be
lieves that riValries of this kind viii
not be allowed to interfere with tn,
establishment of a stable government
The basis of this government is indi
| Gated in the two chapters which Sc