Evening star., 1896-12-19
Mr.. OLNEY SPEAKS
The Cameron Resolutions Will Have
no Effect on the President.
CONGRESS Is PRACTICALLY DEFIED
This Administration Not Likely to
Recognize Cuban Freedom.
W FL A T NJ AY II \ P P E n


independence of the Republic of Cuba, die
tated the following statement:
Il have no objection to stating my own
view of the resolution respecting the indie
pendence of the so-called Republic of Cuba
which, it is reported is to be laid before
the Senate Monday. Indeed, as there
are likely TO be serious misapprehensions
regarding such resolution. both in this
country and abroad, and such apprehen-
ssons may have injurious results of a grave
character, it is perhaps my duty to point
cut that the resolution, if passed by the
Senate. can probably be regarded only as
an expression of opinion by the eminent
gentlemen who vote for it in the Senate
and, if passed by the House of Representa-
tives. can only be regarded as another
expression of opinion by the eminent gen.
uemen who vote for it in the House The
power to recognize the so-called Republic
OF Cuba as an independent state rests ex
clusively with the Executive A resolution
on the subject by the Senate or by the
House. by both bodies by one, whether
concurrent or joint, is imperative as legis-
lation and i5 important only as advice of
great weight voluntarily rendered to the
EXeceutlve regarding the manner in which
he shall exercise his constitutional func-
uons- The operation and effect of the pro-
posed resolution. therefore, even if passed
thirds vote, are perfectly plain. 1t may
raise expectations in some quarters which
can never be realized 1t may infiame pop
ular passions both in this country and else
Nnere, may thus put in peril the lives and
property of American citizens who are res
tdent and travelling abroad and will GER
talnly obstruct and perhaps defeat the best
eHortS OF this government to afford such
citizens due protection. But, except in
these ways and unless the advice embodied
In the resolution shall lead the Executive
0Rlr rcir aIr
ofhcially declared, the resolution will be
without effect and will leave unaltered the
attitude of this government toward the two
contending parties in Cuba
Result of Conference.
Ihis emphatic statement of the attitude
OF the executive, as represented by the
premier or the cabinet. Is understood to be
the result OF a consultation between Sec
retary olney and the other members of The
caoinet, who are said to have been called
together last evening to consider the best
course to pursue in view of the radical ac-
tion of the Senate committee of forsip,
aralrs- 1t is even intirnated that the
PRESIDENT was communicated with On the
subject and that he authorized the Secre-
ldry OF state to declare that the recCgni-
ton OF sovereignty was an executive and
not a legislative function and that the
chlef executive will not he bound in this
matter by the action of Congress The
President within easy reach of
Charleston, s. c., yesterday, and it is DOS
sible that kilograms passed between him
@ and the secretary OF State 1t is impos-
sible, however. to obtain any positive in
formation on this point. The general I'M
preston is. however, that the Secretary
OF State acted on his own responsibility in
this matter, guided by the advice of some
of his cabinet associates and his personal
familiarity with the Presidents views on
the subject, which had been probably con-
sidered before the Presidents departure in
anticipation of the DOSsibIa of
joint resolution of the character described
Meaning of the Statement.
The Secretary's declaration is in effect a
notification to Congress that the executive
will not be Influenced by the action of
that body in its policy toward the Cuban
affair. 1t also gives rise TO the belief that
so far as the present executive is concerned
there Is no hope of the recognition of the
Independence of the insurgents during the
term of the present administration. 1t also
constitutes direct and formidable issue
between the executive and legislative
branches of the government
To Prevent Spanish Outbreak.
The impression here is that Secretary
Olney's statement pointing to the lack of
legal effect of the passage of the Cameron
joint resolution was called forth by a de-
sire to minimize the danger of an outbreak
In Spain on the part OF the excitable popu-
lace. which is, perhaps. more imminent
than is generally realized in this country
Nothing less than some such emergency
IL is argued would induce the Secretary to
depart so widely from his usual practice
OF refusing TO comment publicly on foreign
relations, particularly during the absence
from Washington of the President. OF
course, the latter is committed by the
declaration of the first officer of his cabi-
net 10 the view that Congress has no con-
sututional authority to recognize the in
dependence Of Cuba. for to abate any
thing of this assertion of power on his part
would be construed as a reputation of the
action of the Secretary, and would prob
ably cause disruption of the cabinet.
So far as can be gathered from a cursory
scanning Of the records. there Is no case
that affords an exact precedent TO this. for
nowhere has the executive and Congress d.
rectly differed and made an issue on the
question OF recognizing another nation. 1t
has been tacitly admitted heretofore that,
as Secretary Obey contends this is pure
ly executive function. but Senator Cam
eron. the author of the resolution which has
given rise to this issue, has, IL is under
stood, made a mcst careful and exhaustive
study of the constitutional aspect of the
Tatter. and is firmly convinced that Con-
gress has power TO proceed along the lines
of his resolution to recognize the new re-
public.
Veto Anticipated.
OF course Secretary Olney's statement
indicates clearly that if the joint resolution
is sent to the President the latter will veto
1t. not only the ground OF impolicy, but
also because 1t constitutes infringement
of his own prerogatives. Moreover the
Secretary in his interview goes beyond this
point. and in almost as many words says
that attention will be paid to the will
o. Congress IN this matter. even If the res
olution is passed over the Presidents veto
In this case grave conflict OF powers Of
two branches OF the government might be
expected TO follow. though just how the is
sue may be made up SO that II can be
reached by the Supreme Court, the arbiter
of all questions of constitutionality Is not
clear at present. II IS suggested however
that IL the issue goes to that length, Con-
eress may achieve its purpose indirectly by
the exercise OF power certainly confided
to il exclusively by the Constitution
namely. by declaration of war
some Senatorial Comments.
Senator Chandler said that the statement
by Secretary OlDey was extraordinarSa
Before resolution is reported from the
he