Statistics as to the present condition of the child are few. During a typical quarterly period there were registered 8288 births (4269 males and 4019 females) but this probably represents only a portion of the actual births; of this number 3290 were legitimate and 4998 illegitimate. This does not, however, represent the extreme state of immorality that it might indicate, as mating lasting through years and clung to with fidelity and accompanied by a tender care for the offspring is frequently not preceded by a marriage ceremony, which is regarded as more or less of a useless expense. The population of the Republic is not known but is estimated as approximating 600,000. As among the Spanish races in general, great affection is shown to children. Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters lavish caresses upon them continually and in public. There being few factories in the Dominican Republic, child labour, as we know it, does not exist. Children early begin to earn their living, but the work is mostly in the open air or open shops and labour conditions are far from strenuous. The clothing worn by children is scant, and youngsters of the lower classes up to the age of five or six years usually run nude, decorated only by a necklace or a pair of earrings. School facilities, though provided by the State, are inadequate. The reported annual attendance at all schools in the country is only 20,000. Health conditions in the island are good. The total deaths registered in one quarter (again short of the real figures) is 1770, of which 318 deaths were of children less than a year old, and 336 of children between one and five years. The number of persons reported guilty of crimes or disorders in one quarter totaled 1910, of which 301 were between fourteen and twenty-one years of age. I am, Sir, Very respectfully yours, CHARLES H. ALLRECHT, _Vice and Deputy Consul-General_. AMERICAN CONSULAR SERVICE, PORT ELIZABETH, UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA, Mar. 7, 1914. MR. GEORGE HENRY PAYNE, NEW YORK, N. Y., U. S. A. SIR: Your letter requesting information for your book on the history of the attitude of states and tribes toward children received. Such information as has been obtained would indicate that the South African natives in this section are universally kind to children. The only “natives” in this district, using the words in a strict sense, are the “Bantus” otherwise the Kaffirs. These people are specially fond of children and use them well. If a child is left an orphan, any relative, no matter how distant, is willing to adopt the child. Indeed the services of the magistrate are frequently required in deciding disputes between claimants. Love of, and kindness to, children are undoubted characteristics of the Kaffir. South Africa has a considerable population of mixed races, but, so far as known, the colored people are kind to their children. Trusting this may meet requirements.