The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-23

IN repfy Mr.. HaWley pointed out
that the strength of the army was
really decreasing In proportion TO the
inhabitants of the country. In ad-
dition, he said, congress had made large
appropriations in recent years for great
guns for forts and coast defense sta
tlons. OF these guns 1Ss were OF large
calibre and delicate mechanism. To
these must be added 232 rined steel
mortars already placed in the coast
defense stations. In order that these
guns may be properly handled body
OF trained artillerists is necessary Each
OF these great war engines requires TO
handle 1t as much skill as it requires To
run a locomotive or an ordinary river
steamer. The war department es-
Inmates that the 1000 men which this
bin calls for Will be necessary to man
these guns properly.
Mr. Cockerel WAS opposed 10 an in
crease in the infantry or cavalry arms
of the Service, but in this case the coun-
try was confronted by serious con-
dition. He regarded IL as necessary
that the guns provided by the govern
ment should be properly manned and
cared for. For that reason as a MEM
Der of the committee he voted to have
TIE OH IaNOlaDly reported.
The bill was then passed, 90 to T.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama secured the
adoption of a resolution instructing the
commltte on naval affairs to inquire
and report TO the senate whether war
ship TO be named the George Washing
ton and 20 be equal 10 the most powerful
in the world could be constructed and
commissioned within IL months.
Cuba usurped the place OF Hawaii
In the executive proceedings. This
proceeding was based upon a document
presented by Senator Morgan as the
result of an interview between himself
and Dir Koop OF Boston. The latter
said that he had been in "a provinces
ard bad spent more or less time i'm each
of th"m in the prosecution OF his in
quiries In no place outside of Havana
was AIRY effort made to take care OF the
reconcentrados, and he declared that
the people were dying in great numbers
IN AZ places in which they had been
collected by the Spanish authorities
both ss a result OF the cruelty OF the
Spanish troops and from lack OF food.
He declared that there is no evidence in
the provinces of n more liberal treat
mont Of these unfortunate people under
the administration OF 6eNefal BlanCO
than under the Neyler regime, and the
people in general are in just as deplor-
able condition now as they had been
before the change. In no case arc the
reconcentrados allowed 10 so outside the
military posts 10 collect food. and while
there Is some effort in certain Instances
10 grow crops in the immediate vicinity
OF the garrisons. these crops do not ex-
tend more than 600 yards from the forts.
lie added that if the people were allowed
e. get out they could get enough TO eat
Co keep soul And body together, but
even when small children attempted To
go outside the guard line they were shot
down rs ruthless sD Il they were
enemies In arms. Ia had seen women
and children abused by the Spanish sol
diery and a fsvortc pastime seemed 60
be 20 kick the women about as IL they
were dogs. Mr. Kopp also devoted con-
siderable snace. az Mr. Moreans sug-
pestion 90 the scheme Of autonomy un-
der the Hheral ministry aad pronounced
10 a failure from one end ~ the island
to tho other Business Is az astandstil
throughout The country. Few crops are
growing and desolatcN and PUN stare
the trayeieria the face v hccever he goes.