New-York tribune., 1911-01-21
Cuba from Within, the West
Indies from Without.

THE TRIP TO THE WEST INDIES. 20
z w Howe Illustrated. 6Vo, pp' of'
Topeka. Kan: Crane Co
Miss Wrights book on Cuba is not tn
result of a visit TO the island, but of ter
years interrupted residence there, in th'
,cspital and in various other parts OF th'
republic. as a newspaper correspondent
The editor Of an agricultural and indus
trial monthly and as special agent OF th'
Cuban Department Of Agriculture. A
the author explains in her preface sh'
has lived long enough among the Cuoan'
to have revised her first impressions anc
20 have formed a permanent second Sc
of them that are prudently qualified bI
all sorts of considerations. 1t Is soho
information that she offers us; her book
IS serious contribution TO the literature
on its subject. which is still so much Of
q problem. but her manner is so felc-
itous she is so delightfully."- readable from
FIRST 10 last. that one absorbs the knowl-
edge almost unconsciously while enjoy
ang the form I'm which IL is given
Her opening chapters on Havana are
among the best that have ever been writ
ten about the city itself its inhabitants
their daily life, manners, customs,
bamusements and home arrangements,
land about the tourists that visit it in
lsteadily increasing numbers. AS she
lhcrself saws. she has learned never 10
call a spade spade in this country of
contradictions. but on occasion, when
her first impressions have been con
lfrmed 10y later ones, she certainly does
'Call a spade an G;Gdou with refreshing
l1rantness. whether there he question Of
Co~tdin phases Of life I'm the capital that
Ike the schcclhoy's habits. are beastly
or Of the condition Of the rural popula
ticn in tho CUBA Lihre" that she pro-
ncurces TO b" farce.
The Cuhans did not evolve their own re-
JLhho as tie ht expression Of their needs
Fhoy and their ancestors before them were
eolCnial subjects Of Catholic monarchy
Bnd their republic as they got II was fash
ioned for them in four short years by
81 was thrust upon them inopportunelv. as
IN mans worn coat might ho wrapped hy a
ihrrrisd nursemad about a small boy she
Jurpcsed 20 desert. Cuba was forthwith
was disaster
The author draws a graphic picture Of
fhe destitUtion ~ the rural Cuhans. who.
she SAYS do not s vet realize their pow
ers and rights as citizens. hut continue
10 ACCEPT with the inherited meekness of
ithe helpless subject whatever burdens
politicians. oficeholders and "erafters'
choose 10 put upon them. Economists
will find much Of interest in the chapter
on the land tax and its paralvzing in
lfuence on agricultural progress. So far
las tobacco culture is concerned. that is
istill in IT'S infancy, owing 10 the primi-
stive methods ~ the planters. Even on
ihe best plantations, tobacco raising is
;Ftill largely question Of hereditary in
Tuition. Things are done for no ascer-
ttainable reason except that the planter
and his skilled lahorers know. or rather
feel that they must he done at that par
'ticular moment. Fertilization is applied
without knowledge Of the soil. irriga-
tion is etin mostly done by hand, hut
scientific modern methods are at las,
terests: Three hundreds years Of de-
velopment are only the prelude. the bar
est Introduction % the story Of tobacco
in Cuba"
The author treats the color question
from the native Cuban point of view. A
touch If the "tar brush" turks in prac-
cslly all Of them. and the only common
sense rule in social intercourse is to &C
cept men and women on their personal
worth. Many show not the slightest
trace cf the admiyture. others are none
she less admirable cultured honorable
men and women The Cuhans them
selves have 2 significant expression, "to
pass for white:
have not. in long years Of residence in
Cuba. heen able 10 discover on what, eN-
cert appearances, Cuhans base the dis
7inoton they draw I'm favor Of those per
sons who pass for white" Nor are they
especially eNscting, always, even i'm that
regard once an individual has been ad-
nbtted within the pale. no matter what
evidence his hair. eyes. lips. nose and COM
'plexiou may afford II is all refuted in that
one sentence. He passes for white
Among the foreigners in Cuba. who, by
fhe way form l1.2 per cent Of the pop
lulation, the spaniards rank first in num-
.bers. but also in the estimation OF the
,Toaident Americans, the author herself
being one Of their most ardent admirers.
They are keen business men. from clerks
TO merchants, but scrupulously honest
ard indefatigably Industrious. They are
tfoUnd everywhere, in the smallest vii
llageg and the centres Of trade. but they
lack imagination.
II the Sraniard had the constructive i'm
.hgination Of the American, instead of
msrely gathering pesetas together of the
lcounter or A corner grocery until the
lpile looks TO his humble mind like a fort
h,ne on which 10 retire. he would put the
YANKEE out Of the running in way of trust
tAnd combine building, for assuredly he
has the vigor, the energy. the endurance
land the determination-but he cannot see
aEeah
Miss Wright herself worked for some
time on Havana newspaper with a
number Of Spaniards Of the better class.
She pays tribute 10 their chivalry 10
!all their good qualities. but their point
,of view remains an enigma TO her 10
this day.
That veteran Western newspaper man.
Mr. Edgar Watson Howe. proprietor
and recently retired editor Of "The
Atchison Daily Globe" adds 10 his
earlier books Of travel an account Of his
recent "Trip 10 the West Indies" He
did not 60 to increase his already large