THE CUBA REVIEW 15 
AMERICAN STORES PREDOMINATE 
While the Americans residing here are a small minority of the total population, 
they control, almost entirely, the trade and agriculture of this island, most of the 
better stores being owned by them and patronized by everyone. American goods 
being preferred to all others, it is to be expected that with the betterment of general 
conditions and improvements in transportation, this district will always be a fair 
field for the introduction of American products. 
Until the port of Los Indios, at which ocean-going vessels could formerly land, 
is supplied with a new dock, all shipping to and from this island will be done through 
the port of Nueva Gerona and its auxiliary port at Jucaro. This shipping, on account 
of the shallowness of the water, has to be performed by small steamers owned by 
the Isle of Pines Steamship Co., or by small sailing vessels. 
The banking facilities for the island are furnished in a most satisfactory manner 
by an American bank which has correspondence in all parts of the United States 
and Cuba. 
CUBA’S COURTS AND CIVIL LAWS 
By the Cuban constitution, residents, non-residents, and strangers in Cuba receive 
equal protection as regards life, liberty, and property, provided the non-residents and 
those not citizens submit to the laws, taxes, judicial decrees, and regulations in the 
same manner as citizens and natives. 
There are three different courts in which proceedings may be brought. Where 
the amount in controversy does not exceed $300, the action corresponds to that of the 
courts of justices of the peace, or inferior magistrates’ courts, in the United States; 
where the amount involved is not more than $1,500, the action is like that of the 
circuit or county court; while amounts greater than $1,500 come within the jurisdiction 
of the highest court of record. 
The ordinary lawyer’s fee is 10 per cent. of the amount involved, and a minimum 
fee for reputable and high-class lawyers is $10. The business of collecting small 
amounts is usually regarded as beneath the dignity of the average lawyer of standing, 
although some firms keep clerks who are attorneys to attend to such small matters. 
Non-residents are not required, because of their status as such, to give security 
for the costs before commencing action, but the court may on motion require it, if it 
seems that the action is frivolous or the plaintiff obviously has no case. 
If the costs taxed against a losing defendant are objected to by his counsel, the 
judge will refer the entire matter to the Havana Bar Association, which is an incor- 
porated and quasi-judicial body. Three officers of the association will then revise or 
retax the costs; this action is ratified by the judge and is final. In other parts of the 
Island members of the bar may be appointed as referees. 
The civil law, as amended and amplified, prevails in Cuba. It has been largely 
changed from its original form by legislation and by judicial decrees and interpre- 
tations. 
There is an insolvency law, very much like the United States bankruptcy 
act. The proceedings may be for respite, involuntary, and voluntary. Involuntary 
insolvency proceedings may be brought about by one or more legitimate creditors who 
prove (1) that two or more executions are outstanding against the debtor; (2) that 
no property has been found free from other charges sufficient to cover the amount 
claimed: (38) that the debtor has not fulfilled in whole or in part the agreement of 
composition or respite, in which case he may be declared an involuntary insolvent at 
the instance of his creditors, or any three of them, even though there be no execution 
pending against him. 
On the whole, the laws of Cuba are adequate and are administered by competent 
courts. Non-residents are under no disadvantage as against residents. 
