The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-15
CUBA'S CONDITION.
Senator Proctor and Col. Parker Re
turn from the IsIand'

WASHINGTON. D. c.. Mar. ff.-senator
Proctor and his friend. Col. NJ VI. Parker.
of this city returned last night from
their trip 90 Cuba They have been alb
sent from Washington since the 18th Of
February, and during their tour Of in
vostigation visited four out OF the six
provinces in the island spending nearly
two weeks on the island. Their trip
has attracted Widespread interest, and
their conclusions are naturally awaited
with interest.
These conclusions. as summarized from
a two hours conversation with a WASH
ington Post reporter ON the train laso
night before they reached the city may
be stated as follows:
First-Thc Maine was undoubtedly
blown up by an outside explosion. 10 ia
not believed. however, that the destruc-
ton OF the vessel and the sacrifice Of her
crew was due 90 any act over which the
Spanish government had control.
Second-1he sO-called plan of autonomy
inaugurated under Capt. Gen. Blanco has
proved o. failure.
Third-rhe reports OF the intense suf-
fcrng among tho TecOnceutrados and the
freat mortality among them have not been
exaggerated. though there is less now
than formerly. the conditions having
somewhat improved under Blanco.
FOurth-Incrc is no impending crisis in
Cuba. The existing conditions. growing
gradually worse. may continue lnuen-
u4,oiy. The early settlement OF the cuban
question rests with Washington and
Madrid.
Fifth-The authority exercised by the
Spanish in the island is purely military
control. The Insurgents are still .ntrench-
cd I'm the provinces OF Puerto Pnncipe
and Santiago and roam generally over
the island.
Sixth-Should cuba ever pass under
the control of the United States. there -
no doubt Of its availability as a residence
for American citiZcns. go.
After improssing the fact that his visit
90 Cuba was for the purpose OF personat
observation only ana not az "a HiiSSioiI
for the President he was asked:
what did you learn Of the CONDITION
of affairs In Cubag
81 must say IT is bad enough.Not any
worse perhaps. than had been led 10 eN-
pcct from what j had heard before going
there. But the suffering among the re-
concentrates was a frghtful object les
son TO me. From estimates given me
by the Spanish officials, I Judge that
about 10000 Of these people have died
since Weyler put mis- recommendation or
der into erect over year ago. There
arc still about 10000 in need of imme-
date relief. Tile suffering has undoubt-
cdly been somewhat allayed since the
I
plies 10 tile island. and since the new
Blauco government took control of affairs.
There has been no material change IN tho
military situation In the island. Both
sides are still claiming increased strength
As a matter Of fact both sides are de-
creas sing IN numbers. not through bat
ties but by death. due 10 natural causes.
There have been no recent military
achievements on either side worthy OF
mention, and from the way the cam
paigns are being conducted. / do not
expect anything in this direction. The
existing conditions can continue indeh-
itely. the suffering growing, Of course
gradually worse.
Concerning the cause or the Maine cls-
aster." continued the Senator Il feel
free to say that such Information as |
have obtained indicates that the explo-
sion was from the outside II does not
show that the Spanish government or
any OF It's officials i'm Havana were par
Elephants IN the crime In the first place
l do Dot think there were any mines in
the harbor. | have not the slightest
knowledge OF what the decision OF the
naval court OF inquiry will be or when 1t
will reach Washington. Approaching the
delicate position in which the members
OF the court were placed, l carefully re-
Trained from asking any expression which
would indicate that l wanted 10 know
what he court had discovered. l had no
better means of ascertaining the parti-
culars concerning the cause OF the disas-
ter than your correspondent in Havana
and such information as l have Is en-
tirely OF an unofficial character As to
the probable outcome OF this matter and
Of the real Cunan question. 7 do not
feel 40 liberty al this time 10 express an
opinion. Perhaps in few days after
have talked with authorities in Washing
ton. | may be able to say something on
these subjects"
What Is your opinion Of the success
or failure OF autonomy!
7 do not feel free OF discuss tnat
question. can say, however that Gen.