Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-18

nutine-Free Rural Mail Delivery.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 17.-sena-
tor Proctor, of Vermont. who returned
last Sunday from an extended trip to
and through the Island of Cuba, this
afternoon made n statement I'm the Sen
ate Of his observations on the island.
From many viewpoints the statement
was remarkable. 1t had evidently been
most carefully prepared. Every element
of sensationalism had been studiously
eliminated from it, and except so far
a- the facts recited were sensational,
8. bore not the slightest evidence Of an
effort 10 arouse the public mind already
Eeenly alive TO the condition Of affairs
uu the island Every statement made
ly Senator Proctor was with that clear
ness and precision which characterizes
the handling Of a problem in mathe-
matics.
The utterances Of the Senator aroused
breathless interest Every person with
iu the sound of his voice was convinced
that he was putting his observations into
careful terms. lest he might subject him
self TO the criticism of being emotional
One Of the best charaCterZations of the
statement was made by Senator Frye
Of Maine a few minutes after it's de-
livery. 1T is" said he Just IA If
Proctor had held up his right hand and
sworn 10 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 almost dramatic in the intensity of
its interest The occasion of the ad-
dress arose very Unexpectedly. The ma
tional quarantine bin was under discus
sion. and Senator Mallory, of Florida,
had been recognized for a speech in
opposition TO the pending measure. Mr..
Frve entered the chamber, and interrupt
Ing Mr.. Mallory, requested him TO yleld
10 Mr. Proctor who desired to make a
statement concerning his observations in
cuba, o. interest TO the Senate ana 10
the country. Instantly there was a
ggmmotion on the floor and in the gal
laries 1t had been announced that Mr..
Proctor would soon make a statement
uut IL was not supposed that he would
make it on the floor of the Senate.
call OF the Senate was demanded by Mr..
Chandler, of New Hampshire, In Few
minutes every Senator I'm the Capitol was
In his seat, and the word having been
passed through the corridors, people
locked into the galleries until the latter
were packed.
senator Proctor waS accorded the
closest attention throughout his speech.
He confined himself TO his manuscript,
and al the conclusion, while there was
r1 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 any one. Mr. proctor
said, in part;
COMPLIMENT TO LEE.
"Of General Lee / need say little His
valuable services TO his country IN ms
irving position are too well known to all
bis cOuntrymen % require mention. be
sides his ability. high character ana
courage ne possesses the important re-
ousites Of unfailing tact and courtesy,
and withaI. his military education and
training. and his soldiery qualities are
invaluable adjuncts in the equipment OF
ogr representative i'm a country so COM
rretey under military rule as is Cuba
senator Proctor also eulogizeu Consuls
BIce aud Barker.
"u has been stated that l said there
Was no doubt the Maine was blown up
from the outside" he continued. rms
ls "a mistake / may have said that such
was the general impression among
Americans i'm Habana. In fact, nave no
opinion about il myself, and l carefully
avoided forming ONE
Senator Proctor mentioned the places
ha had visited on the island OUTSIDE OF
Habana. where the order OF concentration
has produced desOlation. lie Iold OF
VIEWERS order for concentration and OF
tTacces." Continuing, he said
.The execution Of this order was leIt
largely 10 the guerillas-to drive IN all
tr4t had not obeyed-and ] was IN
formed that IN many cases torch was
APPLIED 10 the peoples homes with no no
rIre and the inmates fed with such
clothing as they might have on, their
stock and other belongings DclhS apPio-
priated by the guerillas. Nheh theS
reached the towns they were allowed 10 |
built huts Of palm leaves IN the suDuiDS
and vacant places within the lrochd' auu
left 10 live II they could. Thelr nuts are
about ten by fifteen feet In SIZE ana ioI
want OF space are usually CIo"usu
together They have no moor W.
ground and no furniture, ana aiter
years wear but little clothing except |
such stray substitutes az they can SA-
tempOrize. In the large famlhes III t"I9
little space the commonest sanitary pV-
cautions are impossible. Torn from thel,
homes. with foul earth, foul ar tou.
water. and foul food or none 49,
wonder that one-half have died, and ina.
oae-quarter OF the living are so diseaSeSs
that they cannot be saved. form ol
dropsy is a common disease, ana aIises ,Ia
from these conditions. Little chliorenn
are still walking about with arnls s1
chest terribly emaciated and apdo%nhun %
hloated 10 three times the natural s,H
The physicians say these cases are noP0
less.
DEATHS FROM STARVATION
Deaths from starvation are not IN
suls tbat neonle have been found dead