The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-18
CALAMITYs REIGN IN CUBA.
SITUATION VIVIDLY PITURED DY
SENATOR PROCTOR

the Intensity of Its 1nterest-Ev-
cry Statement Made With the
CIearness and Precision That
Characterize the Demonstration of
Problem in Mathematics.
Washington, March 17.-Senator Proc
tor of Vermont, who returned last Sun
day from an extended trip to and through
the Island of Cuba, this afternoon made a
statement to the Senate of his observations
on the island.
From many viewpoints the statement
was remarkable. 1t had evidently been
most carefully prepared. Every element
of sensa tionalism had been studiously
eliminated from it and, except so far as
the facts recited were sensational, it bore
not the slightest evidence of an effort TO
arouse the public mind, already keenly
alive to the condition of affairs on the ISL
and.
Every statement made by Senator Proc
tor was with that clearness and precision
which characterize the accurate demon
stration of problem in mathematics.
Calm and dispassionate to a notable de-
gree, the utterances of the senator arous-
ed breathless interest. Every person
within the sound of his voice was convinc-
ed that he was putting his observations in
to careful terms, lest he might subject
himself to the criticism of being emotional.
One of the best characterizations of the
statement was made by Senator Frye of
&c dalfuprv
ut is,' said he, "Just as if Proctor had
held up his right hand and sworn to it."
That was the impression the statement
made upon the Senate.
The scene in the Senate just preceding
and during the delivery of the speech was
almost dramatic in the intensity of its in
terest
The occasion of the address arose very
Unexpectedly. The national quarantine
bill was under discussion and Senator NAL
lory of Florida had been recognized for a
speech in opposition to the pending meas
sure.
Mr. Frye entered the chamber, and, in
terrupting Mr.. Mallory, requested him to
yield to Mr.. Proctor, who desired to make
a statement concerning his observations
in Cuba of interest to the Senate and to
the country.
Instantly there was a commotion on the
floor and in the galleries. 1t had been an
nouneed that Mr.. Proctor would soon
make a statement but it was not supposed
that he would make 1t on the floor of
the Senate A call of the Senate was de-
manded by Mr.. Chandler of New Hamp-
shire.
In a few minutes every senator in the
1t nd fhn ord
having been passed through the corridors.
people fiocked into the galleries until they
were packed.
Senator Proctor was accorded the closest
attention throughout his speech. He con-
fined himself to his manuscript, and at
the conclusion, while there was no dem
onstration, he was cordially congratulate
ed by many of his colleagues.
Mr.. Proctor in beginning, stated that
his trip was entirely unofficial, and was
not suggested by any one.
Mr. Proctor said in part: "Of Gen.
lee T need say little His valuable SER
vices to his country in his trying posi-
ton are too we'll known to all his coun-
trymen to require mention. Besides his
ability. high character and courage, he
possesses the important requisites of un-
failing tact and courtesy and with all,
his military education and training, and
his soldiery qualities are invaluable ad-
iuncts in the equipment of our represen-
tative in a country so completely under
military rule as is Cuba"
Senator Proctor also eulogized Consuls
Brice and Barker.
'It has been stated that 1 said there
was no doubt the Maine was blown up
from the outside" he continued. This
is mistake I may have said that such
was the general impression among Amer
leans in Havana. In fact, l have no
opinion about it myself, and carefully
avoided forming one"
Senator Proctor described the places he
had visited and the warlike conditions on
the island, outside of Havana. The order
of concentration has produced desolation.
He told of Gen. Weylers order for con-
centration and of the effect it had had
upon the concentrates.
Continuing, he said: THE execution of
this order was left largely to the guerillas
to drive in all that had not obeyed and
/ was informed that in many cases a
torch was applied to their home with no
notice and the inmates fed with such
clothing as they might have on, their
stock and other belongings being appro-
priated by the guerillas
when they reached the towns they
were allowed to build huts of palm leaves
IN the SuDuTDS anu NdcdllL places Wlt0ln
the trocha and lett to live If they could
Their huts are about ten by fifteen feet
in size, and for want of space are usually
crowded together. They have no floor but
the ground and no furniture, and after a
years wear but little clothing except such
stray substitutes as they can extempo-
rize.
with large families, or with more
than one in this little space, the common
est sanitary provisions are impossible
Conditions are unmentlonable in this re-
spect.
Torn from their homes, with foul earth,
foul water and foul food, or none, what
wonder that one-half have died and that
one-quarter of the living are so diseased
that they cannot be saved. A form OF
dropsy is a common disease resulting
from these conditions.
Little children are still walking about
with arms and chest terribly emaciated
eyes swollen and abdomen bloated to
three times the natural size. The physl-
clans say these cases are hopeless
Deaths in the streets have not been
uncommon. was told by one Of our con-
suls that they have been found dead about
the markets in the morning where thew
had crawled hoping TO get some stray bits
Of food from the early hucksters, and
that there has been cases where
they had dropped dead inside the market
surrounded by food. These people were