The herald., 1898-03-18
A CUBAN TRIP
Furnishes the Theme for
Pr0ctOr's Talk
THE SENATORS LISTEN
TO A GRAVE, DIsPAssIoNATE
STATEMENT
EMOTIONALlSM is AVOIDED
It Was as if the Senator Had Held
Up His Right Hand and
THE SENATORS LISTEN
10 A GRAVE, DISPASSI0NATE
STATEMENT
EMoTIoNALIsM IS AVOIDED
It Was as if the Senator Had Held
Up His Right Hand and
Sworn to It
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator
Proctor of Vermont, who returned last
Sunday from an extended trip to and
through the island of Cuba, this afternoon
made a statement to the senate of his OBJ
servations on the island.
From many points of view the state
ment was remarkable.
1t had evidently been most carefully pre-
pared. Every element of sensationalism
had been studiously eliminated from 1t
and, except as the facts recited were SEN
sational it bore not the slightest evidence
of an eff t to arouse the public mind, al
ready keenly alive to the condition of az
fairs on the island.
Calm and dispassionate to a notable de-
gree, the utterances of the senator aroused
q breathless interest. Every person within
the sound of his voice was convinced that
he was putting his observations into care
ful terms, lest he might subject himself
to the criticism of being emotional.
One of the best characterizations of the
statement was made by Senator Frye of
Maine, a few minutes after its delivery.
ut is" said he, "just as if Proctor had
held up his right hand and sworn to it,"
A DRAMATIC SCENE
That was the impression the statement
made upon the senate.
The scene in the senate just preceding
and during the delivery of the speech of
Senator Proctor was almost dramatic in
the intensity of its interest. The occasion
of the address arose very Unexpectedly.
The national quarantine bill was under dis
cussion and Senator Mallory of Florida had
been recognized for a speech in opposition
to the pending measure. Mr.. Frye entered
the chamber and, interrupting Mr.. NAL
lory, requested him to yield to Mr.. Proc
tor, who desired to make statement con-
cerning his observations in Cuba OF inter-
est to the senate and to the country.
Instantly there was commotion on the
floor and in the galleries. 1t had been an
ticipated that Mr.. Proctor would soon
make statement. but it was not supposed
that he would make 1t upon the floor of the
senate A call of the senate was demanded
by Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire and in
few minutes every senator in the capitol
was in his seat and, the word having been
passed through the corridors, people
fiocked into the galleries until they were
packed.
Senator Proctor was accorded the clos
est attention throughout his speech He
confined himself to his manuscript and at
the conclusion, while there was no demon
stration, he was cordially congratulated by
many of his colleagues.
NO FIERY ORATORY
Mr.. Proctor read his speech from manu-
script, speaking rapidly but clearly. He
said:
More Importance seems to be attached
by others to my recent visit to Cuba than
! have given it. 1t has been suggested that
] make a public statement of what l saw
and how the situation impressed me- This
/ do on account of public interest in all
that concerns Cuba and to correct any in
accuracies that have not unnaturally ap-
peared in some of the reported interviews
with ME.
"My trip was entirely unofficial and of
my own motion: not suggested by any one.
The only mention made of it to the pres
ident was to say to him that 1 contem-
plated such a trip and to ask him if there
was any objection to it, to which he replied
that he coulu see none. No one but myself,
therefore, is responsible for anything in
this statement. Judge Day gave me brief
note OF introduction to General Lee and 1
had letters of Introduction from business
friends from the north to bankers and other
gave me letters to their correspondents in
other cities. These letters to business men
were usually useful. as the principal pur-
pose of my visit was to ascertain the views
of practical men of affairs upon the situa-
ton.
A TRIBUTE TO LEE
''Of Gen. Lee need say little. His valu-
able services to his country in his trying
To oil
countrymen to require mention. Besides
his ability, high character and courage.
he possesses the important requisites of
unfailing tact and courtesy, and withal
his military education and training and
his soldiery qualities are invaluable ad-
juncts in the equipment of our representa-
tive in a country so completely under
military rule as Cuba.
Gen. Lee kindly invited us to sit at his
table at the hotel during our stay in Ia-
vana, and this opportunity for frequent
Informal talks with him was of great help
to me. In addition to the information he
voluntarily gave me, it furnished me con-
venient opportunity to ask him many ques-
tions that suggested themselves in eXpla-
nation of things seen and heard on our
trips through the country. l also met and
spent coISlueTdDle ume with Consul Brice
at Matanzas and with Capt. Barker. a
stanch eX-Confederate soldier, at Sagua
la Grande, friend of the senator from
mississippi CWalthalD. None of our rep
resentatives whom / met in Cuba is of nv
political faith, but there is a broader faith.
not bounded by political lines They are
all three true Americans and have done
excellent service.
THE MAINE EXPLOSION
1T has been stated that I said there was
no doubt the Maine was blown up from tho
outside. This IS a mistake. | may have
said that such was the general impression
among Americans in Havana In fact. I
have no opinion about it myself, and care
fully avoided forming one. ] gave no at
tention to these outside surmises. I met
the members of the court on their boat
but would as soon approach our supreme
court in regard to a pending case as that
board. They are as competent and trust
worthy within the lines of their duty
rs any court in the land, and their report
Hhen made, will carry conviction to all