The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-03-24
TELLS A SAD STORY.


Washington, March IS. 80 Senator
/ Proctor, of Vermont, who returned last
Sunday from an extended trip to and
through the island Of Cuba, on Thurs
day afternoon made a statement TO the
senate of his observations on the island.
Senator Proctor was accorded the
closest attention throughout his speech.
He confined himself to his manuscript,
and at the conclusion, while there was
no demonstration. he was cordially con-
graduated by many of his colleagues.
A synopsis follows: IA. 1<5
He began by saying thar moro impor-
lance had been attached to his visit than
necessary, but he thought public state
ment would be beneficial The only thing,
he said. that he had said about the mat
ter to the president was that he was go-
ing and asked II there was any objection
to it. and was told that there was none
He had letters from Assistant Secretary of
State Day and business men of the United
States. He said that Gen. Lee and other
United States representatives in Cuba af-
forded him opportunity to secure ,informa-
ton. E.ss t3=:s Is.
He denied that he made the statement
that the Maine was blown up from the
outside. but might have said that was
the opinion In Havana. The senator
thought there[was no definite information
to be obtained upon this feature.
Outside OF Havana there was desola-
ton and misery. People were surround
ed by trochas and controlled by forts
or block houses. His observations he said.
were in the four western provinces, Out
side of the trochas and forts there were
no habftations or people living. The Span
iards. he said. held in the four provinces
only what their army sits on
Senator Proctor described. at some
length the condition of the reconcentrados,
saying one-half of them had died owing
to the manner in which they had been
kept in the small houses and bad santa
ton. 1t was no wonder that one-half had
died, he added He went to Cuba, he said,
thinking the condition Of the people had
been overdrawn. but found their situation
terrible. What he saw he could not tell
so others could see. In one place in Ha-
vana. the senator said, he saw 400 people
lying on stone floors with little clothing.
The children had no clothing. american
people may be assured he continued.
''that their bounty will reach the desti-
tute," and. he added: 1.-The condition of
the reconcentrados will not be changed I'M
til peace comes. Gen. Blanco's order of
November 10 Is of little practical use. No
beneficial results have followed" For this
he did not blame Gen. Blanco. as Blanco
looked at the matter from a military point
Of view.
AS to the military. he said there were
about 10000 Spanish troops. He thought
they would fight well. There was no ar
tillery. The troops live in barracks. The
cavalry is mounted mostly on ponies. He
said the Cubans had about 10000 men in
the field and were very active. The Cubans
were well armed. but poorly supplied with
ammunition. About one-third of the Cuban
army are negroes. The cavalrymen fur
nish their own horses. The dividing line
between the parties is sharp It is Cubans
against Spaniards. The autonomists he did
not consider, as they were inconsiderable
in number.
The Spaniards did not want perfect au-
tonomy. as 1t meant government by the
Cubans. He inquired as to autonomy OF
men of wealth. business and professional
men. Without exception their reply was
that 1t was too late for autonomy 1t
was. he said too late for peace under Span
ish rule. Some favored annexation by the
United States.
Senator Proctor said he was not in favor
OF annexation. The conditions for self
government in Cuba were favorab BILE and
not much danger Of revolutions. He would
not make any recommends lions as to what
should be done. He thought the matter
might safely be left to an American presi-
dent and the American people. With these
words he closed,