The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-25

situation. I trust that no one has ex-
pected anything sensational from me.
God forbid that the bitterness of a
personal loss should induce me to color
in the slightest degree the statement
that l feel it my duty to make. I have
no purpose to stir the public passion
in any act not necessary, and am pre-
pared to meet the duties and necessi-
ties of American responsibility Chris
tan humanity and national honor.
would shirk this task if l could, but l
dare not. I cannot satisfy my con-
science, except by speaking, and speak
ing now
Mr.. Thurston said he had gone to
Cuba firmly believing that the condi-
ton IF affairs on the island had been
greatly exaggerated. He had conclud-
ed, however, that an over statement
of the horrors of the situation was inn
possible. He was prepared not only
to adopt every word of the careful,
concise and specific statement of the
Senator from Vermont (Mr. PROCTOR,
but was even convinced that he had
understated the facts.
In detailing the incidents and recit-
ing the facts that came under his OBJ
servation, Mr.. Thurston said he had
no desire to deal in horrors. If had
my way said he, I would shield the
American public even from the photo
graphic reproductions of the awful
scenes that I viewed in all their orig
inal ghastliness."
OF the 225, GOO soldiers Spain had sent
to Cuba, less than 10000 were now
available for duty. The remainder are
dead, sick in hospitals or returned to
Spain incapacitated.
L 10 not believe said he, that the
entire Spanish army in Cuba could
stand an engagement in the open field
against 1000 well disciplined Amerl-
can soldiers. The Spanish soldiers, of
all people on earth, would most gladly
welcome any result which would en-
able them to return to their homes.
A MOST DEPLORABLE SIGHT.
The pictures in the American papers
of the starving reconcentrados are true.
They can all be duplicated by the
thousands I never saw. and please
God may never again see, so deplor-
able a sight as the reconcentrados in
the suburbs of Matanzas. I can never
forget to my dying day the hopeless
women and children stand silent, fam
ishing. Their only appeal comes from
their sad eyes through which one looks
as through an open window into their
agonizing souls"
The Governor of MatanZas Mr..
Thurston said, could see no end to this
condition of affairs, and could suggest
no relief except through the United
States.
The Government of Spain will not
appropriate one dollar to save these
people" said Mr.. Thurston Think
of the spectacle, We are feeding these
sick; we are saving such as can be
saved, and vet there are those who
still say it is right for US to send food,
but we must keep hands off. l say that
the time has come when muskets ought
to go with the food.
Il shall refer to these horrible things
no further. They are there. God pity
me: have seen Them they win remain
in my mind forever-and this is almost
the twentieth century Christ died
1900 years ago, and Spain is Chris
tan nation; she has set up more crosses
in more lands, beneath more skies, and
under them has butchered more people
than all the other nations of the earth
combined.
Europe may tolerate her existence
as long as the people of the old world
wish. God grant that before another
Christmas morning the last vestige of
Spanish tyranny and oppression will