The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-23

last somewhat modified The Weylsr or
der, but it Is OF little or no practical bene-
TT rs application IS limited 70 iarms
properly defended, and the owners are
obliged 70 build 'oenters Of defense It's
execution is completely in the discretion
OF the local military authorities, aud they
know the terrible military efficiency Of
Weyler's order in stripping the country
OF ali possible shelter, food or source Of
information for an insurgent, and VIII be
slow to surrender this advantage In fact.
though the order was issned four months
ago, saw no benefeent results from it
worth mentioning. l dc not impugn Gen.
Blanco's motives, and believe him 70 be
an amiable gentleman. and thai he would
be glad 70 relieve the condition of the re-
concentradoeS if he could do so without
loss Of any military advantage, bat be
knows that all Cubars are insurgents at
heart. aud none now under military con-
troll will be allowed to 90 from under it."
After referring 10 the condition and
movements Of the Spanish army in Cuba,
now consisting of 60,00o soldiers tit for
duty out of over 10000 that have been
sent there, Senator Proctor said:
II inquired in regard 10 autonomy of
men Of wealth and men as prominent in
business as any in the cities of Havana,
Matanzas and Cagua, bankers, merchants,
lawyers and autonomist officials. some of
them Spanish born, but Cuban bred, one
prominent Englishnlan. several of them
known as sutonomists, and several OF
them telling me they were still believers
in autonomy if practicable, but without
exception they replied that it was too
late for that Some favored a United
States protectorate, some annexation,
some free Cuba. Not one had been count
ed favoring the insurreetion at first. They
were business men, and wanted peace.
but said it was too late for peace under
Spanish sovereignty. They characteri-
zed Weylers order in far stronger terms
than can."
The address of Senator Proctor con-
Guided as follows:
al have endeayored to state in no in
temperate mood what / saw and heard
and to make no argument thereon. but
/ Ac1hC Gk Ouc " QIdn HIS ON II COuk4A~
sions. To me the strongest appeal is not
the barbarity practiced by Weyler, nor
the loss of the Maine, If our fears should
prove true, terrible as are both of these
incidents bat the spectacle of million
and q half people. the entire native popu-
lation Of Cuba, struggling for freedom
and deliverance from the worst misgOv-
ernment of which ever had knowledge.
But whether our action ought not 10 be
influenced by any one or all these things.
and if so how far, is another question.
am not in favor OF annexation, not be-
cause would apprehend any particular
trouble from it, but because it is not
wise policy 10 take in any people of for
eign tongue and training, and without
any strong guiding American element.
The fear that, if free, the people of Cuba
would be revolutionary is not so we'll
founded as has been supposed, aud the
conditions for good self-government are
far more favorable. The large number
of educated and patriotic men, the great
sacrifices they have endured, the peace
able temperament of the people, white
and black, the wonderful prosperity that
would surely come with peace aud good
home rule. the large influx of American
and English immigration and money
would all be strong factors for stable in
situations. But it is not my purpose al
this time, nor do / consider it my pro-
vince to suggest any plan, / merely
speak of the symptoms as | saw them,
but do not undertake TO prescribe. Such
remedial steps as may be required. may
safely be left TO an American president
and the American people"
Mr.. Wheeler (Dem., Ala. introduced
in the house a resolution for the appoint
ment of committee of five senators and
five Representatives to report without
delay to the two houses an address "a
the government of Spain declaring in irm
and emphatic language that Americans
and American interests in Cuba must be
protected, and that the atrocities now
being perpetrated in that island mnst
cease. The resolution also provided that
the president be requested TO immediate
ly transmit this address to the govern
ment of Spain by such methods as he
may deem most advisable, together with
letter of Endorsement and approval oi
this action on the part of congress.