The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-03-26
TELLS A VERY SAD STORY
Senator Proctor's Narration to tho
Senate of the Terrible Sit
uation in Cuba.
THE REPORTS OF STARVATION ARE TRUE
The Condition of the Recommendations
DeEEarn Description - Spaninr ds
Hold Only What Their Army sits
On-Do Not Want Autonomy-Sena
tor Galiinxer's Views.

Proctor, of Vermont, who returned last
Sunday from an extended trip to and
through the island of Cuba, on Thurs
day afternoon made n statement to tho
senate of his observations on the island.
From many viewpoints the statement
was remarkable. 1t had evidently been
fnost carefully prepared. Every ele-
ment of scnsationalism had been stu
diously eliminated from 1t, and except
so far as the facts recitcd were sensa-
tional it bore not the slightest evidence
of an effort to arouse the public mind,
already kcenly alive to the condition of
affairs on the island.
Senator Proctor was accorded tho
closestatt 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.
Senator Proctor read his speech from
manuscript. speaking rapidly but clear
ly. A synopsis follows:
Senator Proctor. Statement.
Ho began by saying that more impor-
tance had been attached to his visit than
necessary but he thought public state
ment would be beneficial. The only thing,
he Salu, tHut he naQ SRlQ dDOut the mat
ter to the president was that he was go-
Ing and asked II there was any objection
TO 1t. and was toll that there was none.
He had letters from Assistant Secretary of
State Day and business men of the United
States. He said that Gen. Lee and other
United States Representatives in Cuba at
fordcd him opportunity to secure informa-
ton.
He denied that he made the statement
that the Maine was blown up from the
do h1If ,fUh hoy, c,{1 hot
the opinion in Havana. The senator
thought there was no definite informa ton
to be obtained upon this feature.
Outside of Havana there was desola-
ton and misery. People were surround
ed by trochus and controlled by forts
or block houses. His observations. he said,
were in the four western provinces. Out
side of the trochas and forts there were
no habtations people living. The Span
iards, he said held In the four provinces
only what their army sits on.
Awful Condition Of RecOncentrados.
Senator Proctor described at some
length the condition Of the reconcentrados,
saying one-helf Of them had died owing
to the manner In which they had been
kept in the small houses and bad santa
ton. 1t was no wonder that one-half had
died. he added. He went to Cuba, he said.
thinking the condition of the people had
been ovcrdrawn. but found their situation
terrible. What he saw he could not tell
30 OtQeFS COulu sec. III one place IN ria
vana, the senator said. he saw 400 people
lying on stone floors with little clothing.
The children had no clothing, American
people may be assured" he continued.
that their bounty will reach the desti-
tute," and. he added THE condition Of
the rcconcentrados will not be changed un-
til peace comes. Gen. Blanco's order OF
November IL is of little practical use. No
beneficial results have followed" For this
he did not blame Gen. Blanco. as Blanco
bad OF tfnr Pr0v mil 70 moi M
Of view.
The Military situation. -
As to the military. he said there were
about 10000 Spanish troops He thought
they would fight we'll. There was no ar.
tillery. The troops live In barracks. The
cavalry Is mounted mostly on ponies. He
said the Cubans had about 10000 men in
the field and were very active. The Cubans
were well armed. but poorly supplied with
ammunition. About one-third OF the Cuban
nish their own horses. Tho dividing line
between the parties Is sharp. 1t Is Cubans
against Spaninrds. The autonomists he did
not consider. they were inconsiderabls
In number.
DO Not Want Autonomy.
Tho Spaniards did not want perfect au-
tonomy. as 1t meant government by the
Cubans. He inquired as to autonomy Of
men of wealth. business and professional
men Without exception their reply was
that 1t was too late for autonomy. It
was. he said. too late for peace under Span
ish rule. Some favored annexation by the
United States.
Senator Proctor said he was not in favor
of annexation. The conditions for self
government In Cuba were favorable and
not much danger OF revolutions. Hc would
not make any recommendations as to what
should be DONE He thought tho matter
might safely be left to an American presi-
dent and the American people. With these
words he closed.
Senator GnllIngcr Talks.
Washington, March 10. - Senator
Gallinger, of New hampshire. was at
the capitol yesterday, for the first time
since his return from Cuba. When re-
qucsted to make II statement MS to his
observations on the condition Of affairs
on that island he rcsponded:
''You can sign my name TO any picture
you draw Of utter wretchedness and desti-
tuition In that country. The condition of
affairs. SO far as had opportunity to OBJ
Matanzas. Is simply indescribable. had
not expected to find 1t half as bad as 1t Is.
and I do not believe anyone who simply
reads tho accounts and does not SEQ for
himself can form mn adequate Idea OF the
situation. The reconcentrados are wedged
into all available places in the cities and
are perishing by the thousand for want of
the commonest necessaries of life. The
best Information obtainable leads to the
conclusion that there have been beyond a
doubt 900 deaths as a result of Spain q
brutal policy. and the tragedy goes on
from day to day.
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In Extra Session.
lansing, Mich, March 2a.-Thc leg