The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-18
Course That Will BE Pursued in Case
Uncle Sam Determines toSpank Chill.
Congress Must Take the Initiative, Under the
Constitution, and then the Matter VIII Rest
Entirely in the Hands Of the President
War Declared but Once by the United
States, and that Was on June IL, 1912.
Withdrawal Of Chili's Offensive Note Accom-
panied by Unsatisfactory COnditiOns-Ah-
other AfrOnt That Nay Cause Treubls.
HOW WE GO TO WAR.

HOW WE GO TO WAR.
Congress Must Pass a Declaratory Act and
Then 1t Rests with the President
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Jan. 17.-War has never
been but once declared by the United
States. That once was on June Is, 1872.
when bill entitled IAN act declaring wal
between the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland and the dependencies
thereof and the United States of America
and their Territories" became law by the
signature Of President James Madison.
1t is the general impression that the
United States declared war with Mexico,
but that is a mistake. The act of Congress
of May II. 1876, in which the original
steps were taken In o legislative way
in relation to the war with Mexico, and
the message of President Polk which
led to the first act on that subject. recited
the fact that war was then existing; that it
had been begun by Mexico. and the author
ity requested and given was to repel or re-
press the invasion on the part of Mexico.
Congress gave President Polk. ss the CON-
manding general iof the armies and the
navy. the authority 10 raise troops and
marine forces, and proceed TO repel the at
tack which was existing. Here il the only
war declaration that ever emanated from
the Congress or President of the United
States. and 1t stands upon the federal
statutes of to-day. the same as q low grant
ing q private pension or giving o soldier
bounty and back pay;
BE it enacted" !" etc.. THAT war be and
the same ls hereby declared TO exist be-
tween the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland and the dependencies thereof
Territories; and that the President Of the
United States is hereby authorized 60 use
the whole land and naval force of the
United States to carry the same into effect,
and TO issue TO private armed vessels of the
United states commissions or letters of
marque and general reprisai, in such form
as he may think proper, and under the seal
of the United States, against tie vessels.
goods and effects Of the government OF the
said United Kingdom of Great Britain and
ireland and the subjects thereof"
Congress passed, in nine sections of or
binary length, another bill. at the same
time the above was adopted, declaring war
against Great Britain, and this gave In de-
tail some directions as TO how the war
should in general terms be conducted.
The war of 1872 was mostly conducted on
tions of Congress related prIncipally to
the movement of friendly and unfriendly
ships. the capture of foes on water and
The enlistment of men for Land and sea,
their armament and provisioning.
President Madison sent his original mes
sage to Congress on the British war on
June L. 1912, and although the declaration
of war became law eighteen days later, it
appears to have not been the unanimous
wish OF Congress. by any means The bill
originated in the House. and was passed
June is, with concurrence of Senate
amendments. by q vote of 70 to 40. Ii was
passed by the Senate on that day. by q vote
of 10 to L. Commercial interests of the
Atlantic slope were opposed to war. which
meant blockading of ports aud this fact
accounts for the small majority of the war
party. The message of President Madison
TO Congress was transmitted Ia confidence.
and its consideration by the House was IN
executive session. When the House passed
the original bill it requested the Senate TO
consider il In confidence, which il did.
SENATOR MANDERsoN's VIEWS.
ALI this information was CLEANED from
the journals of the two houses of Congress
to-day by q number of Senators and Secre-
tary of Senate McCook. Senator Mander-
son. of Nebraska. spent some time in look
ing up the legislative record of our only
declaration of war. and took great interest
in it. He Is the President pro tempore of
the Senate at this time. is thoroughly
familiar with legislative procedure. and
In the event Of q step toward war with
Chill he would naturally be a prominent
figure in the upper branch of Congress-.
N
the subject" said Senator MaDderson, as he
turned over the leaves of the journals COW
ering the initiative period of the war with
Great Britain, lana that there were Sem
ators who took o strong position for and
against the proposition When President
Harrison sends in his message on the Chill
ian situation l presume the steps Congress
will take will be very similar 20 those of
our forefatners, who dared TO declare war
against the most formidable nation on
earth, and should Congress deem IL the bet
tor part of yaior aud wisdom TO declare
war against Chilli it Will be In about the
same form as this. You will see that the
formal declaration of war was In short
bill by itself, and that PROVISIONS for the
war were made in q separate measure.
! which W as passed almost at the same mo-
ment.
II see that all of the initiative steps were
begun In the House. continued Senator
| Manderson. although that was not abso-
luteiy necessary. unless from the fact that
war meant appropriations. and affected the
| revenues. and those matters come TO the
| Senate from the House first. j am sur
| prised TO see. however. by what oiose vote
| war with Great Britain was declared, in
| view of our position. / don't think. with
the information we now have. that there
would be any such close voting on q propo-
eition to declare war against Chill"
Can the administration or the President
make war under any condition OF circum-
etancess" was asked.
Under no possible condition of circum-
stances" replied the Senator. Congress
must exercise all of the discretion. under
our Consultation, till IL has given the dec
laratIon. Then the exercise of discretion
Is vested In the President Unless 1 mis-
understand the facts of the Chihan case.
we have justification for declaration of
war. The ability of Chill 60 fight us has
nothing 10 do with the case
Senator Manderson then briefly sketohed
the course which President HarrIson's mes
sage. conveying the Chilian correspondence.
Will take, should it result in q declaration
OF war. The message and its accompany
ing documents" he said, will go to Con-
gress In duplicate. for Simultaneous read
ing in both houses. liz will be referred TO
the committee on foreign affairs. There
will naturally be an Interchange of opinion
between the members of those committees
in the two houses. and If the situation war
rants war declaration the phraseology
will In general terms be agreed upon be-
fore il is reported. declaration of war
would not appear in either house
without very accurate idea rs to
its fate In the other branch OF
Congress. The wishes Of the President