The record-union., 1898-03-18
DESOLATI0N
And DISTRESS.
Situation in The Island
Of Cuba
Graphically Portrayed by Sen
atOr Proctor.
Misery and Starvation Everywhere
Presented Outside Havana
Terrible Picture Presented as the Result
Of General WeyIer's Order ConGen-
trating the People in the
Cities and Towns.


WASHINGTON, March 1I.-Senoto1
Proctor of Vermont, who returned last
Sunday from an extended trip to and
through the island of Cuba, this al
ternoon made d statement to the SEN
ate Of his observations on the island.
From many points of view the state
ment was remarkable. It had evi-
dently been most carefully prepared.
Every element of sensationalism had
been studiously eliminated from 1t,
and. except so far as the facts recited
were sensational it bore not the slight
est evidence of an effort to arouse che
public mind, already keenly alive to
the condition of affairs on the island.
Calm and dispassicnate to notable
degree. the utterances of the Senator
aroused a breathless interest. Every
person within the sound OF his voice
was convinced that ne was putting his
observations into careful terms, lest
he might subject himself to the criti4
cism Of being emotional.
one of the Characterization Of the
statement was made by Senator F..'ye
of Maine. few minutes after it's de-
livery. 1T is" said he, just as if
Proctor had held UP his right hand
and sworn to it."
That was the impression the state
ment made upon the Senate.
The scene in the Senate just preced-
ing and during the delivery of the
speech of Senator Proctor was alr;cst
dramatic in the intensity of its inter
est. The occasion of the address arose
very Unexpectedly. The national
quarantine bill was under discussion,
and Senator Mallory of Florida had
been recognized for a speech in oppo-
sition u the pending measure. Frye
entered the chamber, and interrupting
Mallory, requested him to yield TO
Proctor. who desired to make a state
ment concerning his observations Ill
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 anticipated that Proctor was
soon to make a statement, but it was
not supposed that he would make it
on the floor of the Senate. A call OF
the Senate was demanded by Chandler
OF New Hampshire, and in few min
144a +0r in "a ri "
in his seat, and. the word having been
passed through the corridors. people
flocked into the galleries until they
We're packed.
Proctor was accorded the closest at
tention throughout his speech. de
confined himself to his manuscript. ana
at the conclusion. while there was nc
demonstration, he was cordially con
graduated by many of his colleagues
Proctor read his speech from manu-
script. speaking rapidly, but clearly
He said:
More Importance seems to be at
tached by others to my recent visit tt
Cuba than I have given it, 1t ha:
been suggested that l make a publ,
statement of what saw and how The
situation impressed me- This I do OF
account of public interest in all tha-
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. an,
of my own notion: not suggested b,
anyone The only mention I made o
it to the President was to say to Kin
that I contemplated such a trip an,
to ask him if there was any objection
to it. to which he replied that he cuul,
see none. No one but myself there
fore, is responsible for anything il
this statement. Judge Day save m
brief note of introduction to Genera
Lee, and I had letters of introduction
from business friends of the North s
bankers and other business men d
Havana, and they in turn gave me let
ters to their correspondents in othe
cities. These letters to business mel
were usually useful, as the principa
purpose Of my visit was 10 ascertain
the views OF practical men of affair
upon the situation
PRAISE FOR GENERAL LEE.
of General Lee I need say little. Tli
valuable services to his country II hi
trying position are too well known t
all Of his eountrymen to require pea
ton. Besides his ability, his cnarac
ter and courage. he possesses the I'M
portant requisites of unfailiag tact ail,
courtesy, and with all his military I'd
ueation and training his scldierl,