The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-02
FIGHT LIKELY OVER CUBA.
Right OF Congress TO Pass Resolution
for the Recognition Of Insurgents rs
BcIligcrcnts Disputed by the Executive.

NiSut VI SouSiSSs " russ NSSVIutiOu
for the Recognition Of Insurgents rs
Bclligcrcnts Disputed by the Executive.
Washington, Dec c1.-President Cleve-
land will veto any joint resolution
which congress may pass recognizing
the belligerency of the Cuban insur-
gents. His veto will probably be of the
pocket variety. The president holds
the view that the recognition of q state
of war in a foreign country Is a matter
for the executive alone to deal with and
with which congress has nothing to do.
Many Republicans Of both houses
have announced their intention to in
troduce joint resolutions for recognition
of the belligerency Of the Cubans. For
eign affairs committees, even when Of
different politics than the executive,
are usually in touch with the admin
istratiOn and on a cOnfidential footing
at the White House. The president
and Secretary Olney will endeavor to
induce the committees to squelch all
belligerent right resolutions. but II any
measure of the sort passes the two
houses, the president, II he continues
in his present frame of mind. will give
1t pocket veto. 1t Is known that the
Spanish minister in Washington has
had informal assurances that the presi-
in any authoritative manner with the
question of recognition.
Policy to DO Cautiously Outlined
The president and secretary Of state
have taken this attitude with full
knowledge of he fact that at FIRST their
position will be an exceedingly unpopu-
lar one. but they believe that when the
facts are fully understood and the pol
icy of the administration shall have had
an opportunity to develop there will be
change of sentiment. In his message
the president may give some hint of
his Cuban programme, which Is medi-
alton at the proper time.
Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Olney realize
that the Republicans of the house and
senate may be disposed to press the
Cuban agitation for political effect.
They may conclude the easiest and sur
est way to discredit the administration
Is by passing resolution of recognition
which the executive will have to Veto
If this proves to be the case an ex-
ceedingly interesting contest between
the executive and congress may be
brought about.
The conditions are peculiar IT is
generally assumed that congress has
nothing to do with foreign relations
In their initiative. This Is duty with
which the president is supposed to be
charged by the constitution, but the
constitution is so nearly silent on this
score that the question whether the
executive has the power to recognize
the belligerency or the sovereignty of
foreign state is still an open one
Precedents for Congress.
Though the weight of precedent and
opinion places this power in the hands
of the president, there are arguments
and precedents on the other side. Pres
ident, Jackson once said this right
should never be exercised by the presi-
dent without a previous understand
ing with congress. In making con-
gress the arbiter President Taylor fol-
lowed the example of President Jack
son by signing a resolution of congress
for recognition of the independence Of
Texas Since that time recognition has
been regarded as an executive preroga-
tive. Belgium and all the South Amer
lean republics were recognized by the
president. The supreme court has re-
peatedly held that the only adequate
evidence of the existence of a new gov
ernment is recognition by the execu-
tive.
President Cleveland has a Cuban
programme of his own. If the winter
campaign of Spain results in failure.
he intends to offer mediation. but he
has a most decided opinion that it is
in no sense the proper function of con-
gress to interfere in this matter, or to
attempt to make a question of foreign
relations a foot ball in the game of do
mestic politics,