The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-23

III saw it when 400 women and chill
dren were lying on the stone floors in
an indescribable state of emaciation
and disease, many with the scantiest
covering of rags, and such rags, and
sick children naked as they came into
the world. And the conditions in the
other cities are even worse"
Mr.. Proctor commended Miss Barton
and her work, especially her business
methods, economy and care Of the chill
dren.
"ADd IL our people," said he, "could
see small fraction of the need they
would pour more freely from their lib
eral store than ever before for any
cause"
NO IMPROVEMENT.
After saying that in the main Ameri-
cans must take care of the reconcen-
trados until peace comes, he said
"Gep. Blanco's order of November
18th last somewhat modifes the Wey.
ley order but is of little or no practical
benefit. Its application is limited to
farms properly defended" and the
owners are obliged to build "centres of
Defense" lis execution is completely
in the discretion of the local military
authorities ard they know the terrible
military efficiency Of Weyler's order in
stripping the country OF all possible
shelter, food or source of information
for an insurgent and will be slow to
surrender this advantage. In fact,
though the order was issued four
months ago l saw no beneficient re-
suits from it worth mentioning. l do
not impugn Gen. Blancos motives and
believe him to be an amiable gentle
man and that he would be glad to re-
lieve the condition of the reconcentra-
dos if he could do so without loss of
any military advantage, but he knows
that all Cubaus are insurgents at heart
and none now under military control
will be allowed TO 60 from it,"
Mr.. Proctor alluded 10 the surpass-
ing richness of the country and then he
analysed the population of the Island.
Of the Spaniards there were nearly
1000, living principally in towns and
cities, controlling much of the business
and property with an "eye to thrift"
and "legalized monoplies." Of the
Cubans there were 100000 before the
war. They are of quieter disposition
than the Spaniard and better educated.
I'll ere were less than 100000 negroes
and the race was diminishing in num-
Der. The negroes of Cuba were physi'
cally and mentally the equals of the
race in the United States. Coming 10
the military situation Mr.. Proctor said :
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THOUSAND
SOLDIERS LOST.
at is said that there are about &C, 900
Spanish soldiers now in Cuba bit for
duty out of over 100000 that have been
sent there. The rest have died, been
sent home sick and in the hospitals,
and some have been killed, notwith'
standing the official reports. They are
conscript, many of them very young
and generally small men. One hun.
bred and thirty pounds is fair est.
mate OF their average weight They
are quiet and obedient and if well
drilled and led, l believe would fight
fairly well, but not at all equal 10 Oul
men,
The Spanish soldiers lacked equip
ment of every SOFT and usually did moi
: day. Mr.. Proctor considered that he
could not with propriety communicate
! with the insurgents. He learned thai
tI6y udu dUCut OU,UOO Ducu, OuC-tuiit
colored, in the field, well armed, bu
with few cartridges. The senator de-
clined offers of safe conduct to Genera
: Gomez's camp.
; CUBAN POLITICS.
/ Mr.. Proctor surveyed the politica
8 situation. The lines were clear cut
3 the Cuban population against Spanish
8 residents and soldiers. Autonomistl
were too uncomfortable in number Il
! be worth counting. Autonomy hat
r come too late, In conclusion Mr.. Proc
/ tor said:
? "To me the strongest appeal is no
9 the barbarity practiced by Weyler, no
: the loss of the Maine, if our worst fear
8 should prove true, terrible as are boil
Q of these incidents, but the spectacle o
Q a million and half of people, the en-
: tire native population of Cuba, strug
y Cling for freedom and deliverance from
Q the worst misgovernment OF which
y ever had knowledge. But whether GU
t action ought not to be Influenced b.
= any one or all of these things and if B.
:. how far, is another question. l an
r not in favor of annexation, not becaus
t would apprehend any particuls
i trouble from it, but because it is not
wise policy to take in any pc ople OF fol
eign Tongue and training and without
4. strong guiding Anne rican element. TIL
!. fear that if free the people of Cub
y would be revolutionary, is not 30 wei
% founded as has been supposed and tn
. conditions for self government are ia
:" more favorable. The large number Q
=, educated and patriotic men, the grea
u sacrifices they have endured, the peace
- able temperament of the people, whit
= and blacks, the wonderful prosperit
- that would surely come with peace al
good home home rule, the large infiu
= of Americans and English immigratio
- and money would Ill be strong factor
!" for stable institutions.
y "But it is not my purpose at tn
- time, nor do l consider it my PROVING
i = to suggest any plan. | merely spea
Il of the symptoms as | saw them, but d
not undertake to prescribe. Such n
4 medal steps as may be required ma
~ safely be left TO an American Pres
~ dent and the American people,"