The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-20
an interview given out by Secretary olney

an interview given out by Secretary olney
to-day. Secretary Olney being asked his
opinion to the nature and effect OF the
proposed resolution recognizing the inde-
pendenee of the republic OF cuba, saa' ,,
Il have no objection 10 stating my own
view of the resolution respecting the IN
dependence of the so-called repuDnc OF
S@ea for WHICH II Is reported onasv Is 10 edeed %
there are likely to be serious misapprehen-
sions regarding such resolution, ooth IN
TINS country and abroad. and as such "a Sp,
prehension may have injurious results Oh
grave character, IL is perhaps my outy 10
point out that that resolution. II passed py
the Senate can probably be Regarded only
as an expression OF opinion by the sihl-
nent gentlemen who vote for IL in tne sen
ate, and If passed by the House on repre-
sentatives can only be regarded as an9ther
uemen who vote for it in the House.
The power TO recognize the so-called re-
public OF Cuba as an Independent state
rests exclusively with the executive
resolution on the subject by the senate or
by the House. by both bodies or by one
whether concurrent or joint, rs imperative
as feSlSiation, and is important only as do,
vice of great weight voluntarily rendered
TO the executive regarding the manner IN
which he shall exercise his constitutlonal
functions. The operation and erect OF tne
proposed resolution. therefore even II
passed by both houses OF Congress py u
two-thirds vote. are perfectly PLAIN. A.
may raise expectation in some quarters
which can never be realized. 1t may in
flame popular passions both in this coun,
try and elsewhere, may thus put IN peru
the lives and property of American c1tl-
Zens who are resident and traveling abroad
and will certainly obstruct and perhaps de-
feat the best efforts of this government 10
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 declared the resolu-
ton will be without effect and will leave
unaltered the attitude of this government
towards the two contending parties In
Cuba"
Olney's statement was called forth by de-
sire TO minimize the danger or an outbreak
in Spain on the part of the excitable popu-
lace, which is perhaps more immediate
than is generally realized III this country.
Nothing less than some such urgency. 1t Is
argued. would induce the secretary TO de-
part so widely from his usual practice or
refusing to comment publicly on foreign
relations. particularly during the absence
from Washington of the President OF
course the latter is committed by the dec
laration of the first oftlcer of hrs Cabinet
TO the view that Congress has no constitu-
tional authority to. recognize the inue-
pendence of Cuba. for to abate anything OF
this assertion of power on his part would
be construed as a reputation or the ac-
ton of the secretary and probably would
cause a disruption or the Cabinet.
So far as can be gathered from cur
sorry scanning of the records, there Is no
case that affords exact precedent 10
this, for nowhere mas the executive anu
Congress directly differed and made an
issue on the question OF recognizing an
other nation. 1t has been tacitly admitted
heretofore that as Secretary olney con-
tends this is purely an executive function,
but Senator Cameron, the author OF the
resolution which has given rise to this
issue IL Is understood. has made a most
careful and exhaustive study or the con-
stitutional aspect of the matter and Is frm-
ly convinced that Congress has power 10
proceed along the lines OF his resolution
to recognize the new republic.
OF course Secretary Oineys 5 statement IN
,icates clearly that If the joint resolution
ever passes both branches of Congress ana
is sent to the President the latter Will veto
il. not only on the ground OF impohty
but also because IL constitutes an infringe
ment of his own prerogatives. Moreover,
the secretary, in his interview, goes be-
yond this point and in almost as many
words says that attention viii be paid
to the will of Congress in this matter. even
if the resolution is passed over the Presl-
dents veto. In this case grave connict
of power of two branches or the govern
ment might be expected TO follow, though
iust how the issue may be made up so that
il can be reached by the Supreme Court.
the arbter of all questions of constitution
ality is not clear at present. 1T Is sug-
gested. however, that if the issue goes TO
that length Congress may achieve It's pur-
pose indirectly by the exercise or power
certainly confided 10 it exclusively by the
Constitution, namely. by declaration OF
war which is. after all. in the judgment Oh
many authorities. only what the reconi-
ton of the independence of Cuba under ex-
listing conditions would mean.