The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-29

aSnlnSton, ~. ", MaFch Af.--r-
Senator Thurston delivered quiet,
impassioned speech in the senate to-
day on the Cuban question, and it
was given the closest attention. Tho
speech created an impression as no
speech yet delivered on the subject,
and during its delivery pin could
have been heard to drop
MIR. TnURsToN SPEAKS. Ey> H.
"Mr. President" said Mr. Thurs
ton, 81 am here by command of 81
lent lips to speak once and for all
upon the Cuban agitation. l trust
that no one has expected anything
sensational from me. God forbid
that the bitterness Of q personal loss
should induce mo to color in tho
slightest degree the statement that l
feel it my duty to make. shall on
deavor to be honest, conservative and
just. I have no purpose to stir tho
public passion in any action not nee
essary and imperative to meet tho
duties and necessities Of American
responsibility, Christian humanity
and national honor. I would shir1
this task if | could, but I dare not, I
cannot satisfy my conscience except
by speaking and speaking now"
Mr.. Thurston said he had gone to
Cuba firmly believing that tho con-
ditlon of affairs on the island had
been greatly exaggerated and that
he had directed the efforts in the
first instance to the exposure of the
supposed exaggerations. He had
concluded, however, that an over
statement Of tho horrors of the stu
alton was impossible. He was pre-
pared, he stated, not only to adopt
every word OF the careful, concise
aud specific statement of tho senator
from Vermont (Mr Proctor), but he
was even convinced that no had un-
der stated tho facts.
Under the inhuman policy of Woy-
Ter not less than 10000 self-sup-
porting, simple, peaceable, defense
less country people were driven from
their homes in the agricultural por-
tions of tho Spanish provinces to tho
cities and imprisoned upon tho bar
rem waste outside the residence por-
tions of these cities and within the
lines Of entrenchment established q
little way beyond.
Their humble homes wero burned,
theil fields laid waste, their III. pie
meEts of husbandry destroyed, their
livestock and food supplies for the
most part coniiscated. Most of these
people were old mon, women and
children. Slow starvation was their
lAoflthDlo lulc. ~ COlScIfuIlN5 eSUl-
mate indicates that 100000 of these
people have already pershed from
starvation.
The government Of Spain has new
or contributed ono dollar to house
shelter, feed or provide medical at
tention for those Of its own citizens,
Such spectacle exceeds the scenes
of the inferno, as painted by Dante.
HORRORS OF THE SCENE.
In detailing tho incidents and re-
citing the facts that camo under his
observation, Mr.. Thurston- said he
had no desire to deal in horrors. eff
had my way" he said, "I would
shield them in public oven if the
Photographic productions of the aw-
ful scenes chat 1 viewed in all their
original ghastliness." .. F"
Of the 225,O0O Spain had sent to
Cuba less than 10000 were now
available for duty. The remainder
are dead, sick in tho hospitals or re-
turned to Spain incapacitated. 1t
is currently reported $4,000 are now
sick in hospitals on the island. Tho
army was in poor condition and un-
der lax discipline. ~
IL do not boliove," said he, "that
the entire Spanish army in Cuba
could stand an engagement in the
open field against 10000 we'll disci-
plined American soldiers"
"Tho pictures in the American
newspapers Of the starving rcconcon-
trados are true.
"Men, women and children stand
silent, famishing Their only ap-
mani pOp,oo frr,, fI,,;,. ,,l o...E