Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-03-18

feet, q inches beam, draw lG feet, 10
inches, and have twin propellers. Over
their gun positions they have 1 IL inches
of armor, and their deck plating is 3
inches thick. The cruisers carry six o.
inch quick-tir guns, four 7-inch guns
10 6-pounder guns, four 1-pounder guns,
and four small rapid.fire guns. They
have three torpedo tubes, their speed is es-
timated at 20 knots, and they carry 700
tons of coal.
In size these two newly-acquired cruis-
els are somewhat larger than the Chem
natl and Raleigh, but they are smaller
than the Newark, Chicago, Philadelphia
and Baltimore. That is, they come in be-
tween our 5000 ton and 1000 ton class, and
will rank with these other ships as second
class protected cruisers.
Senator Proctor and Col NJ. NJ. Parker,
who have recently made a trip in Cuba,
reached Washington Sunday night. They
have formed these opinions
First-The Maine was undoubtedly
blown up by an outside explosion. 1t is
not believed however, that the destruc-
tion of the vessel and the sacrifice of her
crew was due to any act over which the
Spanish government bad any control.
Second-The so-called plan of autonomy
inaugurated under Capt. Gen. Blanco, has
proved failure.
Third-The reports of the intense suf.
fering among the reconcentrados and the
great mortality among them have not
been exaggerated, though there is less now
than formerly, the conditions having some
what improved under Blanco.
Fourth-There is no impending crisis
in Cuba. The existing conditions, grow
ing gradually worse, may continue indef-
nitely. The early settlement of the Gu
ban question rests with Washington and
Madrid
Fifth-The authority exercised by the
Spanish in the island is purely military
control. The insurgents are still in
trenched in the provinces of Puerto Prin-
cipe and Santiago, and roam generally
over the island.
Sixth-Should Cuba ever pass under the
control of the United States there is no
doubt of its availability as a residence for
American citizens.
Senator Redfed Proctor said: "Undue
Importance, fear, has been given to my
visit to Cuba. My visit there was purely
for the purpose of personal observation
and more for pleasure than business.
do not convey any official reports, verbal
or otherwise, from the court of inquiry
or any consular officer in Cuba.
Naturally, l will probably tell the
President and state department officials
what l have seen and heard while away.
Unless the President should specially de-
sire it | shall be in no hurry about calling
upon him.
THE suffering among the reconcen-
trados was frightful object lesson to me.
From estimates given me by Spanish off
cials, | judge that about 100000 of these
people have died since Weyler put his re-
order into effect, over a year
ago. There are still about 200, 900 in need
of immediate relief. The suffering has
been somewhat allayed since
the United States began sending relief sup
plies to the island and since the new
Blanco government took control of af-
fairs.
There has been no material change in
the military situation in the island. Both
sides are still claiming increased strength.
AS matter of fact, both sides are de- |
in numbers. Not through bat
ties, but by death due to natural causes.
LAS TO the question of the success or
failure of autonomy, l can say that Gen. /.
Blanco is undoubtedly sincere in his pur-
pose to pacify the island by this means.
He impressed me as being a kind hearted |
and efficient official, anxious to amelliorate |
-he conditions in the island, but his task |
IS a most difficult one. Some improve !
nent undoubtedly has resulted from his
Efforts.
The settlement of the Cuban question,
however, must come from outside of the
sland. 1t depends upon the future action
n Spain and the United States.
TN Havana, and in fact, in all the
places | visited, | found much less ex-
element than | anticipated. Indeed, |
nave heard more war talk since my ar
ival in Key West than during my entire
tay in Cuba.
TOO much Importance, l think has
)een attached to the state of feeling
.mong the so.called Weylerites. The last
lots in Havana emanated from this source
nut were not as serious as the dispatches
It that time indicated. Everything is
Certainly quiet in Havana at the present
line.
"Only in one case were our movements
watched with suspicion, and in that case
think the Spanish officer had nothing
Use to do and was actuated more by
ldl llltSS curiosity IMAM anything else,
"Concerning the cause of the Maine
Iisaster | feel free to say that such in
as | have obtained shows that
he explosion was from the outside. 1t
Ices not show that the Spanish govern
nent or any of its officials in Havana were
in the crime.
''ln the first place, do not think there
we're any mines in the harbor. cannot
tate any knowledge of what the decs-
on of the naval court of inquiry will be or
when ii will reach Washington. | did not
SIX the members of the court.
Col. Parker, who travelled with Senator
Proctor through four of the six provinces
n Cuba and who has been with him
very hour since they left Washington
ogelher, is more outspoken.
Col. Parker is positive in his convic-
ions that the destruction of the Maine
nd the terrible slaughter of her crew was
aused by external agencies, probably a
orpedo. He doubted if it would ever be
definitely known who was responsible.
He was equally positive that autonomy
a failure and that Cuba is lost to Spain.
The present conditions" he added, "cer-
ainly cannot last and ought not to. The
My solution of the problem in my opinion
es with the United States"
Japan has refused to sell the two war