The herald., 1896-12-20
TIE PRESIDENTS
SOLE PR[ROGA1|VE
Secretary Olney Stirs Up
q Hornets Nest
CONGRESS POSSESSES No POWER
To Recognize independence OF
Any Nation
HIS VIEWS ARE SUPPORTED
BY q Small Majority Of Senators aud
Representatives
And U quallfledly Repudlated BY Most Of the
Legislators
HIS VIEWS ARE SUPPORTED
Bv q Small Minority OF Senator's and
Representatives
And U quaiifledly Repudiated by Most OF the
Legislators
Though Feeling is Strong the Resola-
ton Acknowledging Cuban lnde-
pendence is Not Likely to
Pass at This Session.
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHHINGION, Lee. ~ ie
Cameron Cuban resolution, If pressed to
a final passage in both houses, will con-
stitute a direct and formidable issue be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches of the government. Thls is
clearly indicated by the following inter-
view given out by Secretary Olney TO-
day. Secretary Olney, being asked his
opinion as to the nature and effect or the
proposed resolution recognizing the in
dependence of the Republic of Cuba,
said:
II have no objection to stating my own
views of the resolution respecting the IN
dependence of the so-called republic CT
Cuba, which, it is reported, Is to be laid
before the senate Monday. Indeed, as
there are likely to be serious misappre-
tensions regarding such a resolution
both in this country and abroad, and as
such nisapprehensions may have inJu'
rious results of grave character, 1t Is
perhaps my character, it Is perhaps my
duty to point out that the resolution, l.
passed by the senate, can be regarded
only as an expression Of opinion by the
eminent gentlemen who vote for 1t In
the senate, and If passed by the house
of representatives, can only be regarded
as another expression of opinion by the
eminent gentlemen who vote for 1t in
the house.
.'The power. to recognize the so-called
republic of Cuba as an independent
state rests exclusively with the execu-
tive. A resolution on the subject by the
senate or by the house or by both sides,
or by one, whether concurrent or joint,
is imperative as legislation, and is i'm"
portant only as advice Of great weight
voluntarily rendered to the executive re-
garding his constitutional functions.
The operation and effect of the proposed
resolution, therefore, even If passed by
both houses Of congress by two-thirds
vote, are perfectly plain.
1T may raise expectations in some
quarters which can never be reversed.
1t may infiame popular passions both in
this country and elsewhere; may thus
put in peril the lives and property Of
American citizens who are resident and
travelling abroad, and will certainly OBJ
struct and perhaps defeat the best eff
forts Of this government to afford its
citizens due protection. But, except in
these ways, and unless the advice en-
bodied In the resolution shall lead the
executive to- revise the conclusions all
ready reached and officially declared,
the resolution will be without effect and
will leave unaltered the attitude Of this
government towards the two contending
parties in Cuba"
CONGRESSMAN TALK
The statement by Secretary Olney of
the administration views on the CAM
eron resolutions was read with unusual
interest by the members of the house.
, Many of them declined to express their
opinions on the interview, as they de-
clined to comment upon the action of the
senate committee in reporting the reso-
lutions, upon the ground that it might
be considered discourteous for one
branch Of the government to criticlse
the course of another. 1t was apparent,
however. that Secretary Olney had
made an impression upon the house and
several leaders on the Republican side
indorsed his views.
''The interview reopened discussion of
the question whether recognition of the
independence or belligerency Of another
oO'St s"AAShs " as Gil CASC0llNC VI lCS lolo
tive act. a question which had been
warmly debated before the foreign af-
Tairs committee. when the resolutions to
recognize the insurgents as belligerents
we're under consideration last session.
The sentiment among members of the
foreign affairs committee Of the house Is
not SO strongly in favor of radical action
on the Cuban question as it was
during the last session. 1t IL evident
from the conversation Of the members
that the majority Of the committee op-
poses recognition of Cuba's independ-
ence, at any rate until the next admin
istration comes into power, unless there
should be changes in the situation in the
island which would demand action, or
much new evidence regarding the condi.
tions there be secured.
Messrs. Hill, Draper and Adams, the
members Of the subcommittee on Cuba,
., are all opposed to action at this time,
and at least three members who voted
for recognition of belligerency are now
opposed to recognition of independence
Whatever disposition the senate may
make Of the resolutions it is impro bab!e
that the proposition will be brought be-
fore the house for vote during this ses-
sion. The Republican leaders whose
haAds ateon the throttle aud who direct