The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-03

business houses in Lima told mo that he
and his wife did not expect much of a
place socially In the city because Of his
alliance with commercial affairs While
IL IL n truism that money talks" in
Peru quite as loudly as in other coun-
tries, and the ability TO shine in material
splendor is a great factor in securing in
fiuential leadership. nevertheless the proc
esses of securing wealth are not popu-
lar; to this fact can be traced much Of
the backward condition of this country,
surpassed by few other lands in wealth
OF national resources.
The cultivated man of Peru Is inter-
ested In making a good appearance in
dressing in the height Of fashion re-
gardless of his financial ability and in
placing as his IDEAL a condition of ease
in which ne can merely receive his
dividends and spend his time abroad or
amid the charmed circles of select
Peruvian society. Indeed those who
have really reached such a position. en-
viable in the eyes OF their country
men. dwell in a world apart, keep large
ly TO themselves, internarry and move
in u restricted orbit, Allied only with
the ancestrally select.
Peru Is one Of the few South American
republics in which the tide of immigra-
ton from European countries has not
as yet set In strongly. In Chile, Ar
gentina and Brazil q variety of ethnic
elements from virtually all parts Of
Europe. and also from North America,
are now being mixed to form a new.
vigorous and self-respecting division of
mankind.
In Shadows of Middle Ages.
Peru is still In the shadows Of the
Middle Ages.
AS far as the religion Of the country
/ Is connected with morals. it would be
difficult to say what its influence Is
exerting upon the men of the country.
Much has been written in derogation
OF the morals OF the Peruvian men, and
we have been told frequently enough
that the home life here Is on quite
/ n different basis from that of the United
States. for example. Allowing much
for exaggeration (and there has been
undoubtedly considerable one sided
writing concerning this subject), there
| Is no doubt that the Institution OF mar
riage IL not held in the same sanctity
by Peruvians as II Is in certain other
countries. Much larger freedom is
given to the man who spends large
portions OF his time at his clubs and
in amusement in which his wife cannot
share.
Another noticeable feature among the
middle and lower classes Is the lack
OF the marriage ceremony. either civil
or ecclesiastical Some say that the
expense stands In the way. for this cere-
mony Is usually attended with expen-
sive festivities as well as with the neces-
sity OF fees to the officiating priest.
This lack of a binding tie between man
and woman. especially among the men,
! nf
looseness of living and also works par
ticular hardship upon the children. who
are frequently left for the mothers to
support.
AS to moral integrity and honesty in
business one finds varying opinions. The
large Peruvian business firms are gcn-
orally conceded 10 he trustworthy. ac-
cording TO the testimony OF foreigners
who have dealt with them for many
years There In undoubtedly a growing
sense of responsibility on the part OF
business men In that country. Amone
the small shopkeepers, however, one
finds here as In the Orient, two prices
and in some cases many prices. There
seems to be little commercial integrity
among the retail shopkeepers and ever
the Peruvian will advise the foreigner
that he should never pay the first price.
An Expenslve shopping.
regret 10 say that this does no
always refer to the shops on the side
streets, as ! had good reason to dis
/, cover. l went into one of the larges
optical and Photographic supply house,
: In Lima. situated on the main business
street, G. was charged three times th'
price for " purchases, as l learned
: afterward, nat I should have paid.
But in spite Of these weaknesses IN
: Peruvians are likable people. They ar
, kindly; they will go out OF their way q
: help you or do you a favor. They max
good friends. but It also must be adde'
. bad enemies. Foreigners who have live
4 for a long time In Peru bear witnea
r that they are pleasant folk TO live with
E but amiable rather than practical In
] quirng OF n certain European OF lon
residence in one OF the Peruvian port
n the difference between Peruvians an
Chileans, / received this answer: II lik
I the Peruvian better, but | prefer to d