Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-11-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1894.
Mr.. Cleveland viii probably find him
self in hot water as soon as Congress
meets, and judging from the number of
Democrats now engaged in gathering
fuel there is little probability that the
supply of hot water will be allowed to
run short during the season. First and
foremost Democrats from the west and
south will begin to ask unpleasant ques-
tons about the bond issue announced
last week-Secretary Carlisle may yet
have to explain why he persisted in say
ing up to the day before the call was is
sued that no issue of bonds was contem-
templated. Representative Hooker, of
Mississippi, voiced the sentiment of
these Democrats when he said publicly:
''This issue of bonds is a defiance of
Congress, and it seems to have been in
tended as such. There is nothing in the
financial situation, or in the condition
of the treasury department, which made
it necessary for the President to nego
tiate this loan before the representatives
of the people could assemble, and there
would seem to be every reason why the
representatives of the people should be
consulted about the matter. The fair
conclusion would appear to be that the
President feared that his policy would
be disapproved if submitted to Congress,
and he desired to assume this authority
for himself at time when he could not
be interferred with" 1t is significant
that it is the President, and not the
Secretary of the Treasury, who is
blamed.
Another question that promises to
give Mr.. Cleveland trouble is: By what
authority the President attempted to
mediate between China and Japan?
The Republicans will take hand in the
| discussion. Some of the ablest consti-
tutional lawyers in Congress, without
regard to party afdliation, say that Mr..
Cleveland had no more authority to
offer to arbitrate between China and
Japan than he has to declare war upon
one or both of these nations without
submitting the matter to Congress, or to
make treaty without the concurrence
of the Senate. They argue that to act
as arbitrator between China and Japan
is to resume responsibilities which may
lead to war with anyone of several Eu-
repean nations, as it is generally under
stood that it was British diplomacy
which caused China to ask this govern
ment to offer to mediate, and that it
was done by Great Britain because she
did not care to run the risk of a war
with Russia by making the offer herself.
It is characteristic of John Bull to make
use of others to accomplish his own end,
and he seems to have had no difficulty
in pulling the wool over the eyes of Sec
rotary Gresham and Mr.. Cleveland, who
have been peculiarly unfortunate in
their dealing with foreign nations.
Aside from the constitutional question,
there is another reason why many are
opposed to Mr.. Cleveland's too hasty
acquiesence in the request of Great
Britain made by China-it reverses the
American policy of keeping clear of for
eign entanglements.
1t is also on the program for the Ha-
waiian question to make more trouble
for Mr.. Cleveland. It viii be remem-
bered that early in the year Mr.. Cleve-
land sent Admiral Walker to Hawaii, as
commander of the Pacific squadron, with
his personal instruction to make a
thorough and concise report OF the con-
dition Of affairs in that country. Itwas
generally understood at the time that
the object in view was to get reportthat
would endorse the one made by para
mount" Blount Admiral Walkers re-
port was made months ago. but it has
never been made public, and probably
never viii be, unless Congress adopts a
resolution asking Tor it, and that Is just
what number of congressman viii try
to have done. The cause of the sup
preston of Admiral Walkers report is
no secret in Washington. He, like most