The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-03-20

have ever confronted the government,
Vermont is maintaining her traditional
leadership in the Senate of the United
States. Speaking of "what Proctor
may find" in Cuba and of the eventful
consequences of his visit to the island
in the spring of 1898, the New York
World says:
Mr.. Proctor is going to make tour
Of the island and report to the Presi-
| dent what the sentiment of its people
really is as to their future relations with
the United States. Perhaps he will
discover they are inclined to annexa-
tor. The last time Mr.. Proctor visited
Cuba important results followed the re-
port of his observations there.
OF the Senator's present visit, its pur-
pose, Mr.. Proctor's relations to the Gu
bans and his capacity to render them
more valuable service now in making a
right use of their independence than in
gaining their freedom, the Brooklyn
Eagle says:
The visit Of Senator Proctor to Cuba
may easily be matter of considerable
public moment, without assuming that
he has gone as the agent or at the re-
quest of the President. Senator Proc
tor went to Cuba once before and his
speech in the Senate on his return was
one Of the causes of the Spanish war.
That war freed the Cubans. If there
is any such thing as gratitude on that
island, the leaders there ought to re-
ceive Senator Proctor warmly. In any
event he will be likely to learn more of
the attitude of mind OF the Cuban lead
era and people than most Americans
know. He is shrewd observer and d
political leader of long experience and
, great skill. In the matter OF estimating
the extent of the Cuban disaffection
toward this country, which has been
manifested in several speeches, the
Senator will be worth dozen CORE
spondents, because he has summered
and Wintered the small politician for a
good many years now and he is as well
equipped to detect the line between
national feeling and personal self-inter-
est as any observer can be.
If the Cubans recognize the service
which the Senator did to them in pre-
senting their pitiable condition to this
country, and discuss their situation
with him as friend, they will be able
to absorb good deal of the political
wisdom and common sense of which
there is so obvious and 80 large need
on that island. The Senator knows, as
every mature American knows, that be-
hind independence of any sort mu t
ha nOuar Ha Hnomo that tha nauu
which protects Cuban freedom, if
island, must be the navy of the
United States. He knows, as every
statesman knows, that protection i'm
poses obligations upon Cuba not TO see
us needlessly entangled in foreign wars
by Cuban action. He ought to be able
to make the Cubans whom he meets VI =
derstand that point of view, which is the
only point of view possible for this coun-
try to maintain in the face of the world.
For this there is no need for him to be
the represe NATIVE or emissary of the
administration in any way. There are
some reasons why he should not hold
such position and there are none why
he should do so. An American Sena-
tor, travelling in Cuba to promote his
own business interests or for his health
and pleasure, would have ample oppor.
tunity to learn the strength of the
various forces which make up public
opinion in Cuba, and any American of
Senator Proctor's ability and expert
ence ought to be able to make intell.-
gent Cubans understand that the atti.
tude of this country is not one of grab
but of self-protection, in assuming the
responsibilities which the geographical
position of Cuba inevitably places upon
it,