The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-18
SIMPLY STATES FACTS
4 PITILESS PANORAMA OF HUN
GER. DISEASE AND DEATH.
STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, GREAT FACT
Population of Cuba Numbers 100000, Of
Which 100000 Are Spanards, 100000
Negroes and the Balance Cubans--
Gen. Lee is Compimented.

Gen. Lee is Compllmented'
Washington, d. c., March 17.-Sena
tor Proctor, of Vermont, who returned
last Sunday from an extended trip to
the island of Cuba, this afternoon made
a statement to the Senate of his Obser-
vation on the island.
From many view points the statement
was remarkable. 1t had evidently been
most carefully prepared. Every ele-
ment of sensatiOnalism had been stud
ously eliminated from it and, except so
far as the facts recited were sensational.
it bore not the slightest evidence of an
effort to arouse the public lnind, al
ready keenly alive to the condition of
affairs on the island.
Every statement made by Senator
Proctor was with that clearness and
precision which characterize the accu-
rate demonstration of a pr0bfem in
mathematics. Calm and dispassiOnate
to notable degree. the utterances of
the Senator aroused breathless interest.
Every person within the sound of its
voice was convinced that he was putting
his observations into careful terms, lest
he might subject himself to the criti-
cism of being emotional. One of the
best characteriZatiOns of the statement
was made by Senator Frye CMaine)
few minutes after its delivery. ut is
said he, lust as if Proctor had held up
his right hand and swOre to it," That
was the impression the statement made
upon the Senate.
10 limo
and during the delivery of the speech
was almost dramatic in the intensity of
its interest. The occasion of the ad-
dress arose very unexpectedly. The
national quarantine bill was under dis
cussion and Senator Mallory FlOrida)
had been recognized for a speech in Op-
position to the pending measure. Mr..
Frye entered the chamber and, inter
rupting Mr.. Mallory, requested him to
yield to Mr.. Proctor who desired to
make a statement concerning his ObSer-
vatiOns i'm Cuba of interest TO the Sen
ate and to the country.
Instantly there was a cOmmOtiOn on
the floor and in the galleries. 1t had been
announced that .Ir. Proctor would soon
make statement. but it was not sup
posed that he would make it on the
floor of the Senate. A call of the Sen
ate was demanded by Mr.. Chandler IN.
H). In q few INMATES every Senator
in the capitol was in his seat and, the
word having been passed through the
corridors, people tlOcked into the CALLER
les until they were packed.
Senator Proctor was accorded the
closest attention throughout his speech.
He confined himself to his manuscript
and at the conclusion, while there was
no demonstration he was cordially con-
graduated by many of his colleagues.
Mr.. Proctor in beginning stated that
his trip was entirely unofficial and was
not suggested by anyone. Mr.. Proctor
said in part:
"Of General lee, need say little.
His valuable services to his country in
his trying position are too we'll known to
all his countrymen to require mention.
Besides his ability. high character and
courage, he possesses the present requi-
sites of unfailing tact and courtesy and
withal, his military education and train
ing and his sOIdierly qualities are in
valuable adjuncts in the equipment of
our representative in a country SO COM
pletely under military rule as is Cuba"
Senator Proctor also eulOgized Consuls
Brice and Barker.
1t has been stated that l said there
was no doubt the Maine was blown up
from the outside. he continued. ''This
is mistake. | may have said that
such was the general impression among
Americans in Havana. In fact, l have
no opinion about it myself, and carefully
avoided forming one"
Senator Proctor described the places
he had visited and the war-like cOndi-
tiOns of things on the island outside
of Havana. The order of concentration
has produced deSoatiOn. He told OF
Neyler'S order of concentration and
of the effect it had had upOn the con-
centrados
Continuing, ne said
'"The execution of this order was left
largely to the guerillas to drive in all
that had not Obeyed and / was informed
that in many cases torch was applied
to their homes with no notice and the
inmates fed with such clothing as they
might have on, their stock and other
belongings being appropriated by the
guerillas When they reached the towns
they were allowed to build huts Of
palm leaves in the suburbs and vacant
places within the trocha and left to live
if they could. Their hlts are about
ten hy fifteen feet in size. and for want
OF space are usually crowded together.
They have no floor but the ground and
no furniture. and after yeas wear
but little clothing except such stray
substitutes as they can extemporize. !
With large famiiies orswith mOrb than
one in this little space. the com gmOneSt
sanitary provisions are impossible. Con-