The San Francisco call., 1898-03-18
Call Office, Riggs House,
 AGarnh I

A who returned last Sunday rom 4 an extended trip to and through Y < the island of Cuba, this after Y 4 noon made a statement to the 4 Senate of his observations on
 4 the island. From many points
 4 of view the statement was re- 4 rnarkable. It had evidently been < most carefully prepared. Every Y 4 element of sensationalism had 4 been studiously eliminated rom 4 1t, and. except so far as the 1acts 4 recited were sensational, 1t bore 4 not the slightest evidence Of an Y 4 effort to arouse the public mind, 4 already keenly alive to the con- 4 dition of affairs on the island.
 Calm and dispassionate to notapIe degree, the utterances Of the senator aroused a breathless interest Every person within the sound of his voice was convinced that he was putting his observations into careful words, 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 Maine few minutes after it's delivery. "It is," said he, just as 1T Proctor had held up his right hand and sworn to it."
 That was the impression the state nent made upon the Senate. The scene just preceding and during the delivery of the speech of Senator Proctor was almost dramatic in the intensity of its interest. The occasion of the address arose very unexpectedly. The nation al quarantine bill was under discussion, and Senator Mallory of Florida had been recognized for a speech in opposi- ton to the pending measure. MT. Frye entered the chamber, and, interrupting MT. Mallory, requested him to yield to MT. Proctor, who desired to make a statement concerning his observations in Cuba, of interest to the Senate and to the country.
 Instantly there was commot1on on the floor and in the galleries. It had been anticipated that MT. Proctor would soon make a statement but it was not supposed he would make it on the floor of the Senate. A call of the Senate was demanded by Mr. Chandler of New Hampshire, and in few min utes every Senator in the Capitol was in his seat and, the word having been passed through the corridors, people Hooked into the galleries until they were packed.
 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 congratulated by many of his col leagues.
 MT. Proctor read his speech from manuscript, speaking rapidly, but clearly. He said: More importance seems to be attached by others to my recent visit to Cuba than I have given it. It has been suggested that make public statement of what l saw and how the situation impressed me. This do on account of public interest in all that concerns Cuba and to correct any inaccuracies that have not unnaturally appeared in some of the reported in terviews with me.
 My trip was entirely unofficial and of my own notion; not suggested by any one. The only mention I made of it to the President was to say to him that I contemplated such a trip and to ask him if there was any ob- jection to it, to which he replied that he could see none. No one but my self, therefore, is responsible for any thing in this statement. Judge Day gave me a brief note of introduction to General Lee and I had letters of in- troduction from business friends from the north to bankers and other busi- ness men at Havana, and they in turn gave me letters to their correspondents in other cities. These letters to busi- ness men were usually useful, as the principal purpose of my visit was to ascertain the views of practical men of affairs upon the situation
 fOf General Lee I need say little His valuable services to his country in his trying position are too well known to all of his countrymen to require men, tion. Besides his ability, high charac- ter and courage, he possesses the inn- portant requisites of unfailing tact and courtesy, and withal his military adu- cation and training and his soldierly qualities are invaluable adjuncts in the equipment of our representative in a country so completely under military rule as is Cuba. General Lee kindly invited us to sit at his table at the hotel during our stay in Havana, and this opportunity for frequent informal talks with him was of great help to me. In addition to the information he volun- tarily gave me, it furnished a conven- tent opportunity to ask him the many questions that suggested themselves Tn explanation of things seen and heard on our trips through the country I also met and spent considerable time with Consul Brice at Matanzas and with Captain Barker, stanch ex-Con- federate soldier, at Sagua la Grande, a friend of the Senator from Mississippi (WalthalD. None of our representatives whom I met in Cuba is of my politi- cal faith. but there is a broader faith rot bounded by party lines. They are all three true Americans and nave done excellent service.
 Tt has been stated that I said there was no doubt the Maine was blown up from the outside. This is a mistake. I may have said that such was the gen. eral impression among Americans in Havana. In fact, I have no opinion about it myself and carefully avoided forming one. I gave no attention to these outside surmises. I met the mem bers of the court on their boat, but would as soon approach our Supreme Court in regard to a pending case as that board. They are competent and trustworthy within the lines of their duty as any court in the land, and their report, when made, will carry convic- tion to all the people that the exact