The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-04
POLITICAL.
Senator Proctor on the Cuban Re.
public,

We publish below the full text Of
Senator Proctor's speech in the Senate
in the debate on the Cuban resolutions
April 16. The WATCHMAN finds,
with satisfaction, the opinions it has
maintained in respect of the Cuban
question, fully sustained by the views
expressed by the Senator:
Mr.. President, l should not have
said word on this matter except for
the fact that the Senator from West
Virginia Mr.. Elkins1 challenged my
statement in regard to the strength of
the insurgent army, and, unkindest cut
of all, he challenged it on the strength
of what Mr.. Atkins, of Boston, said.
In regard to Mr.. Atkins, 1 will refer
any Senators who wish to inquire as TO
him to the junior Senator from Massa-
chusetts Mr.. Lodge], who knows him
well.
NY statement in regard to the
strength of that army was derived from
the reports of our consuls and from
great many other sources, and from the
statement of certainly the first and
think two of the largest bankers in
Havana, who have their correspond
ents in every town and city of the
island, and who told me as near as they
could judge of the strength of the two
armies.
l went to Cienfuegos, near which
Mr.. Atkins's plantation is situated. l
saw before got there, and learned
from various sources after reached
that city, that Mr.. Atkins had had
special favors from the Spanish gov
eminent. 1t was evident, even in 60
ing along in the cars, that there was
much larger force guarding his mills
than those in other sections. His
sugar mills, and others in his vicinity,
were running, although all the way
from there to Havana there was hardly
one. He had had the opportunity to
run his mills while others were de-
stroyed. l learned also, to speak plain
ly, that Mr.. Atkins had our consul, Mr..
McGarr, at Cienfuegos, in his pocket.
Mr.. McGarr was appointed from
Tennessee, and l am confident that the
senior Senator from Tennessee MIR.
Bate will not object to anything say
in reference to him. 1 was told that
Mr.. Atkins was very generous with
certain stimulating beverages which
had lubricating effect upon the con-
sul's mind and tongue.
l wish now to state, Mr.. President,
precisely what conversation took place.
I will state it in three minutes, though
the conversation with our consul, Mr..
McGarr, occupied an hour. The first
inquiry l made was about Mr.. Atkins.
told him that Mr.. Atkins was from
my own vicinity in New England.
Mr.. McGarr told me that Mr.. Atkins
was the finest man in the world; he
could not say too much for him. l
then asked him about the condition of
the reconcentrados and the deaths. He
told me that the statements were great
ly exaggerated, and he also said "this
trouble would have been ended long
ago if it had not been for the United
States" Those were his exact words.
/ should say that Miss Clara Barton
and Colonel Parker of this city; DR..
Eagan, of Boston; and Mr. Elwell of
Kansas were present.
We were sitting about table in q
restaurant. l asked him how many of
the reconcentrados in the whole island
he thought had died in consequence Of
the RECOMMENDATION order of Weyler's.
l thought that his views would be very
low, and l suggested very low num-
Der, and asked if it were from five to
ten thousand. ooh, no." he said, mot
near as many as that; from one to two
thousand" Said l, Gin the whole
island?' eyes; in the whole island"
He went on to say that they were in
very bad condition when they were
driven in. They had been out in the
swamps and were half starved. | said
to him, 81 suppose they were fed by
the municipalities and by citizens"
ooh, yes" said he; "they were well
supplied when they came in" Said l,
81 suppose that this munificent bounty
was mainly from Spanish citizens"
He said it was, certainly. Said l, dis
it not probable"-I admit asked lead
ing questions [laughterl-"is it not
probable that, coming in such half
starved condition, this munifcent
bounty was the cause of killing great
many of them?" He said, "There is
not doubt of that" Laughter l
am willing to leave Mr.. McGarr with
that statement.
trust, Mr.. President, that the report
of the majority of the committee will
be adopted striking out the words "are
and" in the first resolution; 30 that it
will read:
That the people of the Island OF Cuba of
right ought to be free and independent.
1 could personally vote for the reso-
luton as it stands, because there is a
very strange and peculiar condition
there. Every house and every family
in Cuba, 80 far as 1 could see-and 1
believe it is strictly true-is just as free
and independent as we are here, ex-
cept those who are within the range of
Spanish rifle and inside of Spanish
fortifcation, and are virtually prisoners
of war.
But, Mr.. President, it is important
that our action be harmonious and
prompt. 1t is not time to divide, but
to concentrate forces when preparing
for battle. The effect of united action
here will be good in every way; upon
our own people, upon the Cubans, upon
Spain, and upon European nations.
The resolutions differ in policy more
than in principle. / should be willing
Al a. -