The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-12-23
sETs His EooT powN oN Il.

Secretary 0lney Says that tn Resolutions
Recognizing Cuban Indepe dence Would
Have No Legal Standing II Not Approved
by the President.
WASHINGTON, Dec 21.-Secretary Oh
ney being asked his opinion as TO the
effect of the proposed resolution recog-
nizing the Independence Of the repub-
lie of Cuba, said Saturday:
have no objection TO stating my own view Of
the resolution respecting the independence Of
the so-called republic Of Cuba which, II Is re-
ported, is to be laid before the senate. Indeed.
as there are likely TO be serious msapprehen-
sions regarding such resolution. both In this
country and abroad, and as such apprehensions
may have injurious results Of grave charac-
ter, 1t is perhaps my duty TO point out that the
resolution, II passed by the senate, can prob
ably be regarded only as an expression Of
opinion by the eminent gentlemen who vote for
1t In the senate, and, II passed by the house Of
representatives can only be regarded as an
other expression OF opinion by the eminent
gentlemen who vote for IL in the house.
The power to recognize the so-callcd republic
Cuba as an independent state rests exclu-
sively with the executive A resolution
on the subject by the senate or by the house.
by both bodies or by one whether concurrent
or joint, is imperative MS legislation and Is i'm
portant only as advice Of great weight Volun-
tarlly rendered to the executive regarding tho
manner in which he shall exercise his constl-
tutional functions The operation and effect Of
the proposed resolution. even II passed by both
houses OF congress by a two-thirds vote, are
perfectly plain. 1t may raise expectations in
some quarters which can never be realized
IL may inftame popular passions both IN this
frr md ala .l, f,
the lives and property OF American citizens
who are resident and travelling abroad. and
will certainly obstruct and perGaps defeat the
best efforts 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 to revise
conclusions already reached and officially de-
clared, ,the resolution will be without effect and
will leave unaltered the attitude OF this gov
ernment towards the two contending parties
in Cuba.
This emphatic announcement by Sec
retary 0lney of opposition to the Cuban
recognition resolution of Senator Cam
eron is accepted as the action of Presi-
dehtGleveland. 1t is regarded by many
senators as a step in advance in Ameri-
ndiplpmatic'history for the president
thus to assert that he and not the con-
gress is the judge of when executive
actionSshould be taken in the matter of
recognition of new government
Nevertheless the precedents seem to
sustain Olney's position When Presi-
dent Monroe in 1915 recognized the In
dependence of the southern Spanish
American colonies, he did so without
congressional action, but previously
sent out three commissioners in Uni
ted States war vessel sto visit the sew
eral colonies, inquire into the condition
of thingsin in respect to the probability
of endurance of successful hostilities
and then report"
These Commissioners were notnamed
to the senate, though that body 'wasfin
session. When they sailed, but went sx-.
clusive1y on the presidents nomina-
.tion. On the report thus presented
President Monroe recognized all these
$ former Spanish colonies as independ-
ent states. et...
Discussing the statement Of Seeres
tary Olney, Senator Frye, a member Of
the COMMITTEES on foreign relations,
said: =. ~ ts
\ have no doubt o. majorityiof the members Of
the committee believe that II the resolution
passed by q two-tbirds vote over the presiden-'
tialvet n becomes o law, ard that the execu-
tivewould be compelled to execute 1t ss any
other law on the statute books. I think It IS
also the opinion d o majority Of the commit
tee that the Secretary OF state Is wrong In his
opinion that the recognition Of the republic rs
an independent state rests exclusively with the
executive. y ~ 30 I'lf
Said Senator GhandleE
1t is the most unprecedented statement /
have ever heard from a cabinet oficer and no
criticism OF such conduct can be too severe 1t
is evidently inspired and comes direct from the
president In eject he says that i we pass the
resolution he willvetof III and M We pass 1t pver
his veto he will defy us 1t as We Sc than the
conduct of Andrew johnson. The only trouble
is that II we ewereto pass 1t oVetEthe veto and
Mr.. Cleveland should refuse to execute the law
there would be no time TO impeach him.
Secretary Olney's' statement was re-
ceived in the houseef Representatives
without any manifestation of surprise.
The secretary's position'was regarded
as clarifying. the y atmosphere and
throwing a fresh obstacle in the path
of congress to interpose in the struggle
between Spain and her colony. The
house is plainly not in belligerent
mood. What it would do if the senate
resolution came squarelyy Before 1t can,
only be copiectpred, IT is only reasons
able to assume that it would pass II
after vigorous debatel but, it is
equally clear that the. house at, present
has little interest in the CHbal dues
tion and that sentiment tespacting the
insurgents has radically changed since
the last session. - " y