The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-24

The War in Cuba One of Star
walton and determination.
WASHINGTON, March pa vivid
word picture of the barbarties and des-
titution in the island Of Cuba was
drawn in the Senate to-day by Galhnger
of New Hampshire. The Senate" re-
Gently visited Cuba to study the situa-
ton there. Long before the Senate con-
vened the galleries were packed. Gal-
linger spoke in a low, clear tone, dis
tinctly audible throughout the chamber
There was not an interruption by word
throughout his speech. His auditors
listened intently to his description OF
the horrors and cruelties suffered py
the reconcentradoes. When he declared
however, that Government that WoulC
starve 100000 of its people would DO
anything, and followed this with the
further declaration that the lives OF the
brave men lost in the Maine disaster
could not be atoned for with gold or Sill
yer, a spontaneous wave OF applause
sMept over the galleries, and the wee
President had difficulty in restoring
order When he had concluded he was
accorded burst of applause which the
Vice President made little effort TO re-
strain Ganinger SPOKE as follows:
In opening his speech Mr.. Gallinger
said after that the calm, dispassionate
and touching statement concerning Gu
ba. made in the Senate recently by
Mr.. Proctor of Vermont, it might be
well for him to remain silent but yield
ing to the desire expressed by many or
his colleagues, he had consented to give
a plain recital of some of his observa-
tions on that unhappy island.
He referred to the efforts made by
the Cubans in 1929, in 1S44, in 1913, in
1850. in 1851, in 1865 and again in
1880. TO break the chains that bound
them to Spain. so that they might es-
tablish for themselves a free govern
ment upon the soil that was rightly
theirs"
Save the last, all these. efforts have
ended in failure. That failure is history
and need not be recounted.
Mr.. GalIinger then detailed some of
the events leading up to his arrival in
Cuba and of his reception by Consul
General Lee "Consul-General Lee, -
said he, is deserving Of the highest
possible praise for the manner in which
he conducted himself in Havana. Cool
and fearless in the midst of difficulties
and dangers he never loses sight of the
fact that he is an American citizen,
nor is he unmindful of the tremendous
responsibility and duty of his posi-
ton.
Referring to his call upon the Auton-
omists Cabinet, Mr.. Gallinger said 1t
was evident that the President of the
Cabinet was not encouraged in the
work.
The truth is" said Mr.. Gallinger,
autonomy is a fiat failure, opposed
alike by the ra-Spaniards and the
Cubans The leaders of the insurrec-
ton have not forgotten how they were
treated by Spain in 1878, and the blan-
dishments and brides now being offered
them are spurned with contempt.
Better death than autonomy said
a leading Cuban to me, for autonomy
is only a pretense under which we
would again be slaves to Spain.
Mr.. GaIInger recalled that he had
heard during debates in the Senate
denials made that state of war eX-
listed in Cuba. but it only required a
brief observation to convince one that
war actually did exist. A desolated
country and its stricken people told the
story more eloquently than it could be
conveyed in words. The war in Cuba,
however, he said. lis war of starva-
ton and determinations war more
cruel than the world has ever known.
The Spanish troops do not impress
Americans as great soldiers. They are
under a lax discipline and are poorly
uniformed and inadequately fed. The
high officials do most of their fighting
in hotels and cafes, the actual fighting
being done by those of inferior grade,
On the contrary, the insurgents are
comforta bly, clad and under strict dis
cipline They occupy large part OF
the island and could, in Mr.. Gallinger's
Judgment. take Havana or Matanzas
whenever it might suit their purpose
although these cities could not be held
for lack of navy.
The scenes in the streets of Havana
are narrowing beyond description. Peo-
pie in want and suffering are every
where seen, and walking skeletons NEE!
one On every hand. Naked children
emaciated and ragged women, diseased
and starving men, throlg the streets
the hotel Hobbies and every place of
public resort. 1t is a terrible sight
one that sickens the heart and quick
ems every impulse Of human sympathy
and love" said MIR. Gallinger.
Under the shadow of the cathedrals
and churches. where SPANS authority
is absolutely unquestioned. the most
horrible conditions are conceded to
exist Many have refused to believe
that great Government was wagins
war of determination instead of d
war OF honor. yet such is an absolute
fact a visit was paid to the orphan
age which is now under the care OF
Miss Clara Barton 1t contains now
about fifty children, almost every one
Of whom is victim of starvation Or
Lesser. one Of Miss BarJon's assist
ants. has had experience in the Arme-
nian and Indian fGmines. but he de-
clarcs that. the famine in Cuba is
worse than in Armenia and pictures
he drew Of the terrible suffering an6
starvation in the island more than con
firm all that has been written upor
the subject
\ detailed story CT a visit to Los
Aocas the place where the reconcen-