The San Francisco call., 1898-03-19
SENATOR PRocToR's STATEMENT.

c ENATOR PROCTOR'S statement of the con N dition of Cuba gives the people of the United D States a clearer conception Of the evils pro- duced in that unhappy island by the policy pursued by the Spanards in their attempt to subugate the Cubans than would have been furnished by a thou sand pages Of lurid and sensational rhetoric. 1t will be potent in moving the country to take some decided action to put end to the than all the speeches of the jingoes from Mason to Tillman The very moderation of the language adds to the inn pressveness of the story. IL is statement in which the words mild, but the meaning IS terrible.
 The Senator describes Havana city where business and pleasure carried very much as in normal times. Quiet prevails and only the extra ordinary number of troops seen about the streets reminds the visitor that is the headquarters of an army and that 1t is gir round every landward side by foes
 Tn the interior, however, all is different Of the condition of the four provinces which the Senator visited out of the six into which the island is di- vided he says: "It is peace nor is it war It is desoation and distress, misery and starvation Each town village is surrounded by trocha or trench of rifle pits, and is guarded by troop of Spanish soldiers. Beyond the distance from these military stations which the troops easily guard there are domestic animals pastures nor cultivated fields, no harvests of any kind The Spaniards hold in these four provinces just what their troops can encamp upon, and all beyond is laid waste and ruined
 In this situation the Senator found the people al- most unanimous for freedom and for the continuance of the until freedom is secured H. met but few autonomsts and these had little faith in that policy Among all classes of the people the belief prevails that the offer of autonomy has come too late < Even the business men of the cities who are most eager for peace declare that 1t vain to expect peace under Spanish sovereignty
 This being the situation of affairs in an American island close to Fordian shores that the sound of guns at Havana almost be heard at Key West 1t is for to determine promptly what part we shall play in the drama. To do nothing is to take action the side of Spain Non-p -partisanship is partisan ship in an issue of this kind
 Senator Proctor did not include in his speech an appeal for interference our part nor did he make any suggestion of what should be done Under the circumstances this silence is significant It is known the Senator is in close relations with the adnnistra- tion and it is likely he adopted policy of silence on such vital point in his theme because he is aware the President will soon speak for himself and the people in terms that will settle the issue and redeem Cuba from the worst government ever practiced on this hemisphere since its history has been recorded
 
 Cubans still announce that they will accept only freedom from Spain. This being the their chance of accepting nothing would seem to be ex- cellent When they obtain freedom it may be be- slowed by other than Spanish hands
 Senator Proctor has won the regard of this coun- try. He did not 20 to Cuba with bares of horns and instead of writing for some yellow sheet the re- suit of his observations u,c o.1t., ,ort-,ued ,e :,