The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-03-22
SIMPLY STATES FACTS
STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, GREAT FACT
Population of Cuba Numbers 1900, 600, of
Which 200, 600 Are Spaniards, 4OO,OOO
Negroes and the Balance Cubans--
Gen, Lee is CompIimented.

Tor IIDClbI, VI ' I Ih'It' "H'
last Sunday from an extended trip TO
the island of Cuba, this afternoon made
a statement to the Senate of his obser-
walton on the island.
From many view points the statement
was remarkable. 1t had evidently been
most carefully prepared. Every ele-
ment Of sensationalism had been stud
iorslv eliminated from it and, except so
far as the facts recited were sensational,
it bore not the slightest evidence of an
effort to arouse the public mind, al
ready keenly alive to the c0ndltlon OF
affairs on the island.
Every statement made by Senator
Proctor was with that clearneSs ana
precision which characterize the accu-
rate demonstration of Il problem III
mathematics. Calm and d1spasSlonate
to a notable degree, the utteranceS OF
the Senator aroused GREATNESS interest.
Every person within the sound of its
voice was convinced that he was putting
his observations into careful terms, lest
he might subject himself to the critl-
cism of being emotional. One OF the
best characteriZations of the statement
was made by Senator Frye NAalne) q
few minutes after its delivery. 1T Is,
said he, Just as If Proctor had held up
his right hand and swore to it, That
was the impression the statement made
upon the Senate.
The scene in the Senate just preceding
and during the delivery of the speech
was Utmost dramatic in the intensity of
its interest. The occasion of the ad-
dress arose very unexpectedly. The
national quarantine bill was under dis
cussion and Senator Mallory QFlOrida)
had been recognized for Il speech IN OPP
position to the pending measure. Mr..
Frye entered the chamber and, inter
rupting Mr.. Mallory, requested hin to
yield to Mr.. Proctor who desired to
make Il statement concerning his obser-
vationS in Cuba of interest to the Sen
ate and to the country.
Instantly there was Il cOmmotlOn on
the floor and in the galleries. 1t had been
announced that 4Ir. Proctor would o
make Il statement, but it was not sup
posed that he would make it on the
tioor of the Senate. \ call of the Sen
ate was. demanded by Mr.. Chandler q.
HI. In a few minutes every Senator
in the capitol was in his seat and. the
word having been passed through the
corridors, people tiocked into the CALLER
les 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 con
graduated by many of his colleagues.
Mr.. Proctor in beginning stated that
his trip was entirely unofficial and was
not suggested by anyone. Mr.. Proctor
said in part:
"Of General Zee, | need say little
His valuable services to his country ii
his trying position are too well known &c
all his countrymen to require mention
Besides his ability. high character -anC
courage. he possesses the present requi
sites of unfailing tact and courtesy an(
withal, his military education and train
ing, and his soldierly qualities are in
valuable adjuncts in the equipment OF
our representative in Il country SO com
pletely under military rule rs is Cuba.
Senator Proctor also ~eulogiZed Consul:
Brice and Barker.
1T has been stated that | said there
was no doubt the Maine was blown III
from the outside. he continued. "Thi'
is Il mistake. | may have said tina
such was the general impression anon:
Americans in Havana. In fact. | hay'
no opinion about it myself, and carefull,
avoided forming one"
Senator Proctor described the place
he had visited and the war-like condi
tons of things on the ISLAND. outsid
of Havana. The order Of concentratioI
has produced desolation. He told o
Noyler's order of concentration an
of the effect it had had upon the con
centrados.
Continuing. ne said:
"'The execution of this order was lef
largely to the guerillas to drive in IL
that had not obcyed and | was informc
that in many cases a torch was appliet
to their homes with no notice and tn
inmates fled with such clothing as the
might have on. their stock and Othe
belongings being appropriated by til
guerillas. When they reached the town
they We're allowed to build huts O
palm leaves III the suburbs and vacan
places within the trocha and left to liv
if they could. Their huts are ahou
ten by fifteen feet in size. and for wan
of space are usually crowded togethel
They have no floor but the ground an
no furnlture. and after Il Yeas wea
but little clothing except such stra
substitutes as they can eXtemporiZ,
With large famhies or with more tha
one in this little space. the
sanitary provisions are impossible. Coz
dltlonS are uncomfortable in this II
spect. Torn from their homes, wit
foul earth, foul air, foul water and fol
food, or none. what wonder that on
half have died, and that o~ne-uuarter
the llvlng are so diseased that they. ca
not be saved. n form of dropsy is
common disorder resulting from the.
conditions. Little children are still wal
ing about with arms and chest terrih
cmaciated, eyes swollen and abdome
bloated to three times the natural siz
The physicians say these cases are hon
less.
Deaths in the streets have not be,
| was told by one of O
consuls that they have been found de;
about the markets in the morning whe