Evening star., 1898-03-19
NO PICTURE EXAGGERATED.
senator GaIIinEer's Characterization
of Misery I'm Cuba.

Senator Gallinger was at the Capitol yes
terday fer the first time since his return
from Cuba. When requested TO make state
ment as to his observations on the condi-
ton of affairs on that island. he responded:
''You can sign my name to any picture you
may draw of utter wretchedness destltu-
ton and hellishness in that country. Inc
condition of affairs, SO far as had oppor-
tunity to observe it, and l was only IN
Havana and Matanzas, is simply indescrib-
able. had not expected to find 1t hall as
bad as it is, and do not believe that any
one who simply reads the accounts and
does not see for himself can form an ade-
uuate idea of the situation. The reconcen-
t1ados are wedged into ali available places
in those cities and are perishing by the
thousands for WANT Of the co1nmonest nee
essaries of life.
Extent of the Misery.
1.-THE best Information obtainable leads
to the conclusion that there have been be-
yond doubt 400, 600 deaths as result OF
Srain's brutal policy. and the tragedy goes
on from day to day. The Society of the
Red Cross is furnishing some relief by its
efforts, but the most Of those people are
beyond the reach of aid, whether through
medicine or food The mortality in Matan-
zas for the last four months previous to
our visit has been equal to ten times the
ordinary death rate.
with reference to the military aspect OF
affairs In Cuba, saw nothing which I'M
pressed me with the idea that Spain knows
much about modern warfare. The soldiers
saw are not drilled as our soldiers are.
Irdeed, they lack every element OF soldier
ly bearing, whatever may be said OF their
merits as fighters. The drills that 1 wit
messed were a travesty on modern military
IDEAS. While they were undergoing their
evoiutions the soldiers were talking to
each other and smoking as freely and un-
concernedly as they would do in their mess
rooms. From my observations OF them
should not consider them very formidable
anita tagonists on the field Of battle.
Naturally there was much talk about
the Maine disaster, and so far as could
ascertain from my conversation with Amer
leans and with those not entirely unoer the
influence of the Spaniards, the opinion Was
universal that the Maine had been de-
stToyed by an external agency, and almost
every person with whom discussed the
subject in Cuba expects that the findings
of the American court OF inquiry viii sub
There Is divergence Of opinion on The
island as to the probabilities OF war be-
tween Spain and the United States. and
am sure that I am. within the bounds OF
the truth when / say that almost the enc
tire native population would welcome any
turn oe events. however tragic, that would
wrest Cuba from Spanish dominion. This
is true not only of those who are avoWesily
favorable 10 q war for independence, but
Of many Of those who are ranked as Span
ich sympathfxers. but who are Mt heart
advocates OF Cuban Independence. The
fact IS that even In Havana the allegiance
to Spain Is OF q very weak and doubtful
character, and IL war should come It viii
be found that there will be an uprising In
that city against the mother country which
would be most important factor In short-
nyrfl,U fhn contest ar,6 AecfdfUW II oEni0St