The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-15
SUFFERING OF RECONCENTRA
DOES NOT EXAGGERATED.
THE MAINE DESTROYED FROM OUTSIDE
General Banco is Kind Hearted Man, but
Autonomy Has Not in Any Appre-
cabIe Degree improved Condi-
lions on the island.
lions on the island.
(Washington pOst.l


night from their trip to Cuba. They
have been absent from Washington since
the 18th of February, and during their
tour of investigation vistel four out of
six provinces in the island, spending
nearly two weeks ON the island. Their
trip has attracted widespread interest,
and their conclusions are naturally
awaited with interest.
lAese conclusions, as summarized
from II two hours conversation with 4
Post reporter ON the train last night,
before they reached the city, may be
stated as follows:
FIRST-'rhe Maine was undoubtedly
blown up by an outside explosion. 1t is
not believed, however, that the deStruc-
ton of the vessel and the sacrifice of
her crew was due to any act over which
the Spanish government had control.
SECOND-1LIe So-called plan of au-
ton0my inaugurated under Capt. Gen.
Blanco has proved Il failure.
TE1lRD-The reports OF the intense
suffering among the reconcentadOs ana
the great mortality among them have
not been exaggerated, though there Is
less now than formerly, the conditions
having somewhat improved under
| Banco.
| FOU1sTH-Ilhere is no impending
crisis in Cuba. Tie existing conditions
growing gradually worse, may continue
| indefinitely. The early settlement OF
| the Cuban question rests with Wash
| ington and Madl.it..
| TIE1lH-The authority exercised by
| the Spanish in the island is purely mill
| tary control. The insurgents are still
imrenched in the provinces of Puerto
Principe and Santiago and roam gen
orally over the island.
Should Cuba ever pass I'M
der the control of the United States,
| there is no doubt OF its availability as II
residence for American citizens.
| NOT a PRESIDENTIAL MISSION.
Although Senator Proctor was eau
tious about discussing the political as
pect of the Cuban question as observed
by him personally, the above conclusions
are fully justified.
Undue Importance, l fear. has been
given to my visit 10 Cuba" said Senator
Proctor. My visit there was purely
for the purpose of personal observation,
and more for pleasure than business.
did not go on any mission for the Presi-
dent or anybody else, and | do not con-
vey and official reports. verbal or other
wise, from the court of inquiry, or any
consular officer in Cuba. Naturally, l
will probably tell the President and
State Department officials what | have
seen and heard while away. | wish you
would make this point strong and posi-
tive. Tnless the President should spe-
cially desire it, ! shall be in no hurry
about calling upon him."
What did You learn Of the condition
If affairs in Cuba?
Il must say that it lis bad enough
Not any worse, perhaps than | had been
led to expect IRON what / had heard
before going there. But the suffering
among the rec0ncentrados was a fright
full object lesson to me. From estimates
given me l5y Spanish officials. | Judge
that about 200. 600 of these people have
died since WeyleT put his rec0ncentI4l.
tiOn order into effect over a year ago
There are still ABOUT 100000 in need
Of immediate relief. The suffering has
undoubtedly been Somewhat allaye3
since the United States begun sending
relief supplies to the island. and since
the new Blanco government took con-
troll of affairs. I'nere mas been no ma.
terial change in the military situation
i'll tine island. Both sides are still claim
ing increased strength. AS matter
of fact, both sides are decreasing in
numbers, not through battles but by
death. due to natural causes. There
have been no recent military achieve
ments on either side worthy of mention,
and from the way the campaigns are
l. 4 l..
thing in this direction. The existing
conditions can continue indefinitely. the
suffering growing, of course, gradually
worse.
BELIEVES IN OUTSIDE EXPLO-
SION.
Concerning the cause of the Maine
disaster" continued the Senator, Il
feel free to say that such information
as | have obtained indicates that the
explosion was from the outside. 1t does
not show that the Spanish government
or any of its officials i'll Havana were
participants in the crime. In the first
place, / do not think there were any
mines i'm the harbor ! have not the
slightest knowledge of what the deols'
ion of the naval court of inquiry will
ne OF WneH IL VIII uCb'h w delllISuUll'
Approaching the delicate position in
which the members of the court were
placed, carefully refrained from asking
any expression which would indicate
that i wanted to know what the court
had discovered. | had no better means
of ascertaining the particulars concern
ing the cause of the disaster than your
correspondent in Havana and such in
formation as ] have is entirely of an
unofficial character. As to the probable
outcome of this matter and of the real
Cuban question, j do not feel at liberty
at this time to express an opinion. Per-
haps in n few days after | have talked
with the authorities in Washington.
may be able to say something on these
subjects
Ga NNO,n DE S.INIvrI ED IN CID