The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-24
cUBA'S TERRIBLE MISERY.
SENATOR CHALLENGER vIvIDLy PIC
TURES EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Nearly t00.OO0 People Are Literally
starved 10 Death Under the In
human Military DEGREES Once

picture OF the hsrbari,ies and restitution
in the island OF Cuba vas drawn in the
senate today by Gailinger of New Hamp-
shire. The senator recently visited Cuba
10 study the situation there. Long before
the senate convened the galleries were
packed. Almost as soon as the senate
convened. Bacon q. Georgia introduced
Joint resolution declaring that the United
States should do everything in its power
10 preserve peace with ali the nations of
the world. and not be forced into war
except 10 preserve the dignity and honor
of the nation. He said that he would nos
ask for immediate consideration OF the
resolution. but would permit Ii 10 lie on
the table until tomorrow. Then Hale Of
Maine. chairman OF che naval affairs COM
mittee. quietly rose and fayorably report.
ed the bill providing for relief for the SUR
vivors OF the Maine catastrophe. There
was suppressed murmur of expectancy
in the galleries. but the measure was read
and passed without a word of debate.
Gallinger's speech followed. He spoke
in a low. clear tone of voice. distinctly
audible throughout the chamber. There
was not an interruption by word through
out his speech. His auditors listened in
tently to his description OF the horrors and
cruelties suffered by the reconcentrados.
When he declared. however. that a gov
eminent that would s,arve 10000 OF its
people would do anything. and followed
.~-;si< f,.r Had 81 Tar, las l,n
lives OF the brave men lost in the Maine
disaster could not be atoned for with gold
or silver. "a spontaneous wave OF applause
swept over the galleries. and the vice pres
ident had difficulty IN restoring order.
When he had concluded he WAS accorded
burst of applause. which the vice presi-
dent made little effort to restrain.
In opening his speech. Gallinger said that
after the calm. dispassionate and touching
statement concerning Cuba made In the
senate recently by Proctor OF Vermont 1t
might be well for him TO remain silent
but yielding TO the desire expressed by
many of his colleagues. he had consented
TO give plain recital of some of his obser-
vaiions on that unhappy island
He referred 10 the efforts made by the
Cubanse in iSe9 in Is44. in Isis. in 1850. in
1851. In 1865. and again in 1895 TO break the
chains that bound them 10 Spain in order
that they might establish for themselves
a free government upon the soil that was
rightly theirs Save the last. all these
efforts have ended in failure. That failure
Gallinger then detailed some OF the events
leading up 10 his arrival in Cuba and OF
his reception by Consui-General Lee.
Gen. Lee ne said. sis deserving Of
the higheat possible praise for the man.
ner In which he conducted himself in Ha-
yana. Cool and fearless in the midst of
difiicultieS and dangers. he never loses
sight of the fact that he is an American
citizen nor is he unminiful OF the tire
mendous responsibility and duty OF his
position"
Referring TO his cali upon the autono-
mist, cabinet, MIR. Galiinger said it was
evident that the president OF the cabinet
was not encouraged In the work.
The truth is said Mr.. Galiinger, "au-
tonomy is a fiat failure, opposed alike hy
the uitra-Spaniards and the Cubans. The
leaders OF the Instruction have not for
gotten how they were treated by Spain In
1878, and the brides being now offered
them are spurned with contempt. Better
death than autonomy said leading
Caban to me, for autonomy is only pre-
tense under which we would again be
slaves OF Spain.
Mr.. GaIiinger recalled that he had heard
during debates in the senate deniais made
hot tafe of iSte tn f~.,ts Il
il required only brief personal observa-
ton TO convince ore that war actually
did exist. A desoIatesi country and its
stricken people told the story more eio-
auenily than IL could be conveyed In
words.
THE war In Cuba. however" he said,
lis war of stsrvat on and exiermina ion
a war more cruel than the world mas ever
known.
The Spanish troops do not impress
Americans as great soldiers. They are
under lax discipline and are poorly uni
formed and inadequa,eiy fed The higa
officials do most Of their fighting in hotels
and cafes. the actual lighting being done
by those OF inferior grades, On the con-
trary the Insurgents are comfortably clad
ami under strict discipline. They occupy
large part % the island and could. In
Nj. Gallnger's judgment. take Havana or
Matanzas whenever it might suit their
purpose. although those cities could not
be held for lack of a navy.
The scenes in the streets OF Havana
are narrowing beyond description. reo-
pie in want and suffering are everywhere
seen. and walking skeletons meet one
on every hand Naked children. emaciated
ard ragged women and diseased and
starving men ihrong the streets. the hotel
Hobbies and every place Of public resort.
II is terrible sight: one that slekeos the
heart and auickens every impulse OF na-
man sympathy and love.
IL nder the very shadow OF cathsdraIs
and churches where Spain's authority II
absolute. unquestioned. the most horrible
conditions exist Many have refused TO
believe that grsai government vas wag-
Ing war Of determination instead of a
war o. honor, yet such IL an absolute fact.
A visit was paid 20 The orphanage which
Is under the care OF Miss Clara Barton
IL contains YpDw Z bout Hfty children AL