The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-19

Senator Proctor's statement regarding the
condition of Cuban affairs was re-
markable both in form and sub
stance. 1t was comprehensive in scope,
wonderfully clear in statement and
temper. 1t was the statement OF a closely
observing, practical man, evidently fully
determined to extenuate nothing nor set
down aught in malice, and so temperate in
tone as to carry a conviction of truthful
ness. In respect of matter it was remark
able for the number of topics touched upon,
the amount of information conveyed the
entire absence of speculations or theories
and the bristling array of facts. All the
newspaper correspondence and dispatches
from Cuba since the war began, combined,
have not conveyed as distinct an impression
of the situation there and as :trong a con-
viction of the utter worthlessness and
diabolical cruelty of Spanish rule in Cuba
as this statement The entire statement
was so condensed that it would not bear re-
viewing, but one or two points call for spe-
cial notice.
According to Senator Proctor the present
conflict is irrepressible, and can only end
with the complete subjugation or complete
independence of the Cubans. He says the
dividing lines between parties are the most
straight and clear-cut he has ever seen. 1t
is Cuban against Spaniard-" practicaliy the
entire Cuban population On one side and the
Spanish army and the Spanish citizens on
the other" AS to the relative strength of
the parties he says there are, or were when
the war began, about 100000 Spaniards to
100000 native Cubans. Most of the Span
iards live in the cities and towns, while
practically the entire rural population is
Cuban. In view of these figures one can
understand Weylers concentration policy
His object was to starve a people whom he
could not subjugate. The Cubans not only
greatly outnImber the Spanish, but are SUI
perior to them in intelligence. Zone thing
that was new to me- says Senator Proctor,
was to learn the superiority of the we'll
to-do Cuban over the Spaniard in the mat
ter of education. Among those in good cir
cumstances there can be no doubt that the
Cuban is far superior in this respect" This
statement does not include the native coll
ored Cubaas, but Senator Proctor says that
physically they are the best race on the
island, and make splendid soldiers. To ac-
complish the subjugation of this united and
patriotic people Spain has now in Cuba
about &C, Oc5 troops fit for duty against &c, 900
insurgents. Under such conditions the SUBJ
jugation of the island. even by starvation.
would seem to be an impossibility.
Senator Proctor more than confirms all
that has been written concerning the suf-
fering and starvation among the ''reconcen-
traoos" and in the hospitals. The very re-
straint of his language shows that the sit
uation is beyond description. Indeed, he
says: 1T is not within the narrow limits of
my vocabulary to portray it," Answering
the question when the need for American
relief for the sufferers will end, he says:
Not until peace comes and the reconcen-
trados can go back to their country, re-
build their homes, reclaim their tiIlage
plots, which quickly run up to brush in that
wonderful soil and cline, and until they can
be free from danger of molestation in 50
doing. Until then the American people
must in the main care for them
This is a new argument in favor of inter-
vention, or of some action by the United
States that will bring the war to close
We cannot afford to become party to the
starvation of the Cubans by Withholding
aid, and we cannot afford to feed Spain's
starving subjects for an indefinite period
while she wages against them a cruel and
hopeless war. The effect of Senator Proc
tors statement will be to strengthen Amer
lean sentiment in favor of intervention and
furnish additional grounds for it.