The Dickinson press., 1898-04-02

Ihefo q v been q more impress.
sive speech delivered in the United
States senate than that in which Sena.
tor Thurston of Nebraska told what be
had seen in Cuba. Senator Thurston
said:
ME-. PREsDENT-I am here by COM
mand Of silent lips to speak once and
for all upon the Cuban situation. I
trust that no n has expected anything
sensational from me. God forbid that
the bitterness Of a personal loss should
induce me to color in the slightest de-
gree the statement that I feel it my
duty to make.
I shall endeavor to be honest, conserv-
alive and just. I have no purpose to
stir the public passion to any action not
necessary and imperative to meet the
duties and necessities Of American re-
sponsibility, Christian humanity and
national honor. I would shirk this task
If I could, but ] dare not. I cannot sat-
asfy my conscience except by speaking.
and speaking now.
Some three weeks since three senators
and two representatives in congress 40.
cepted the invitation of a great METRO
politan newspaper to make a trip to
Cuba and personally investigate and re-.
port upon the situation there.
Our invitation was from a newspaper
whose political teachings I have never
failed to antagonize and denonnoe and
whose journalismI have oonaidered' dc.
oidedly sensational.
But let me say, for the credit Of the
proprietor Of the paper in question, that
I believe the invitation extended to us
was inspired by his patriotic deSire,to
have the actual condition of affairs@in
Cuba brought to the attention Of the
American people in such a way that the
facts would no longer remain in contro-
versy or dispute. /
We were not asked In any way to be.
come the representatives Of the paper;
no conditions o. restrictions were i'm
posed upon US; we were left free to
conduct the investigation In d own
way; make our own plans, pursue our
own methods, take our own time and
decide for ourselves upon the best man
ner Of laying the result Of our labors
before the American people.
For myself, I went to Cuba firmly be-
iieving that the condition OF affairs
there had been greatly exaggerated by
the press, and. my own efforts were d.
rected in the first instance to the a.
tempted exposure.m these supposed ex-
a~ggerationa.
Mr.. President, there has undoubtedly
been much seusationRlism In the jour
nalism of the time, but as to the oondi-
ton Of affairs In Cnbs there has been
no exsggeration, because ~exaggeTation
has been impossible I have read the
careful statement Of the junior senator
from Vermont Me-. Proctorl, and I find
that he has anticipated me in almost
every detail. From my own personal
knowledge Of the situation, I adopt ev.
cry word Of his concise, conservative,
specific presentation q my down-nay,
more, / am convinced that he has, in q
measure, understated the facts.
Cuba Il Lost to spain.
After three years of warfare and the
nse Of 995, 900 Spanish troops Spain
has lost control of every foot Of Cuba
mot surrounded by an actual intrenoh.
ment and protected by q fortified picket
line.
She holds possession with her armies
Of the fortified seaboard towns, not be.
cause the insurgents could not capturs
many Of them, but because they are un.
der the virtual protection Of Spanish
warships, with which the revolutionista
cannot cope.
In the fonr 20 called Spanish provinces
there is neither cultivation nor railway
operation except under strong Spanish
military protection or by consent Of The
revolutionists in consideration Of tribute
paid.
The revolutionists are in absolute and
almost peaceful possession Of nearly
one.half Of the island, including thu
eastern provinces Of Santiago do Cubs
and Puerto Principe. In those province.