The Portland daily press., 1898-03-18
DESOLATlON AND MISERY
REIGN in CUBA.
The Spanish Army Only Holds
What 1t Sits On.
MEN ALL SAY III is
TOO LATE FOR AUTONOMY.

Denied Statement That He Had Said
Maine Was Blown Up From an Outside
, Source, But Might Have Said That Was
Believed in Havana-senator Isn't in
Favor of Annexation But Thinks Con-
ditions Are Favorable for Self Govern
ment.
Washington March Ex-senator Proctor
| of Vermont, who returned last Sunday
| from an extended trip to and through
Cuba, today made. a statement to the
Senate Of his observations on the island.
From many new points the statement
| was remarkable 1t evidently had been
carefully prepared. Every element of
sensationalism has been studiously elimi-
mated and except SO far as the facts recited
were sensational, it bore not the slightest
evidence of an effort to arouse the public
pnind.
| Every statement made by Senator Proc
tor was with that cIearness and precision
which characterize. the accurate demon.
stration of problem in mathematics.
Calm and dispassionate to notable de-
gree, the utterances of the Senator
aroused brenthless interest, every per-
son within the sound of his voice was
1 "a %ho ha ipr, hia nhoar-
vations into careful terms lest he might
subject himself to the criticism of being
emotional Ore of the best characteriza-
tions of the statement was made by Sena-
tor Frye of Maine,a few minutes after its
delivery.
"It is,'' said Ehe. ''just as.if Proctor
had held up his right hand and sworn
to it,
The scene in the Senate just preceding
and during the delivery of the speech OF
Senator Proctor was almost dramatic in
the irtensitJ of its interest. The occa.
sion of the address arose very unexpected
ly. he.nationalIquarantin bill was un-
der discussion, and Senator Mallory OF
Florida, had been recognized for speech
in opposition to the measure. Mr.. Frye
entered the chamber and interrupting
Mr.. Mallory, requested him to yield to
Mr.. Proctor, who desired to make a state
ment concerning his obs eryations in
Cuba of interest to the Senate and TO the
country.
Instantly there wasl a commotion on
the floor and in the galleries. 1t had been
announced that Mr.. Proctor would soon
! cto lnf If
posed he would make it on the floor OF tbs
I Senate. A call of the Senate was de-
mauded by Mr.. Ch andler of New Hamp-
shire, and in few minutes every senator
in the capitol was in his seat and the
word having been passed through the cor
ridors. people locked into the galleries
until they were packed.
| Senator Proctor was accorded the clos
est attention throughout his speech. He
confined himself to his manuscript and
at the conclusion, while there was no de-
monstration. he was cordially congratu.
lated by many of his colleagues.
After several weeks of severe illness,
Mr. Walthall of Mississippi, was able te
attend the session of the Senate today.
A bill authorizing the Nebraska, Kan.
sas & Gulf Railway company to construct
q railway through the Indian territory
was passed.
and. il was decided that when the Senate
adjourn. it be until Monday next.
The conference report on the agrlcul
tureal appropriation bill presented by
Mr.. Cullom of Illinois, was adopted.
Senators Proctor then made statement
in which he gave the result OF the obser
vations made during his recent trip tx
/ Cuba.
The senator began by say ing that more
1 Importance had been attached to his visi
than necessary, but he thought pub
lie statement wouldi be beneficial. Th'
only thing that he had said about ths
matter to the President was that ne wa
going and asked If there was any objec
ton to it, and was told that there wa
mono. He had letters from Assistan
Secretary of State Day and business mel
i, IF the United States. He said that Gen
Lee aud the other United States repre-
, sentatives in Cuba afford him opportuni
ty to secure information. He denied tina
he made the statement that the Main
was blown UP from the outside, DJi
might have said that that was the opinion
in Havana.
The senator thought there was def
mite information to be obtained upon thl
feature.
Outside Of Havana there was desola
, tion and misery. People were surrounde
by trochas ana controiled py lorts
His observations. he said, were in th
far western provinces. Outside OF tn
trochas and forts there were no inhabi
tants or people living.
The Spaniards, he said, held in the fou
provinces only what their army sits on.
He described at some length the condit
ion of the reconcentradoes, saying on
half of them had died owing to the man
ner in which they had been kept i'll tn
small houses from bad sanitation. l