The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-20
OLNEY SPEAKS AGAIN
HE MAKES AN IMPORTANT STATE
MENT ON THE CUBAN QUESTION.
Congress, He Says, Has No Constitu-
tional Authority to Recognize the
Independence of Cuba.
PRESIDENT ALONE CAN DO so
ADOPTION OF SENATE RESOLUTION
WILL RAISE GRAVE ISSUES,
And Cause n Clash Between the Ex.
ecntive and Legislative Branches
of the Government.
EXPRESSIONS OF SENATORS
STRONG FIGHT AGAINST THE CAM
ERON DECLARATION PROBABLE.
JingOes Confident of Big Majority
Chandler and Morgan Score OIney
Views of Representatives.
And Cause n Clash Between the Ex-
ecutive and Legislative Branches
of the Government.
EXPRESSIONS OF SENATORS
STRONG FIGHT AGAINST THE CAM
ERON DECLARATION PROBABLE.
JingOes Confident of Big Majority
Chandler and Morgan score OIney
Views of Representatives.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, Dec l9.-President
Cleveland, speaking through Secretary Oh
ney. gave Congress a rebuff to-day that it
Will not soon forget. Yesterday Congress
had the laugh on the President when a.
committee of the Senate showed its indif-
ference, if not its contempt for the execu-
tive, by ignoring the argument and advice
of Mr.. Olney, and adopted a resolution
recognizing Cuban independence almost be-
fore his form had passed through the door
of the committee room. Mr.. Olney and his
chief had their inning to-day, and i'm a
caustic statement the secretary of state
serves notice to Congress and the world
at large that the chief executive will eXer-
else his own discretion in Cuban matters
utterly regardless of what the Senate and
House of Representatives may do. This is
in harmony with the statement in these
dispatches last night as to what the atti-
tude of the President would be, but the
prompt and forceful manner in which an
nouncement of the White House purpose
was given out went even beyond the ex-
pectations of the Administrations friends.
The course of the security market during
the forenoon reflected confidence of inves-
tors and the business world in the courage
of the President TO stand out against pre-
cipitate action likely to involve this coun-
try in a war with Spain. Values rallied
strongly and encouraging reports were
sent in from every important city in the
country, indicate recovery from the
scare of yesterday.
Come what may, the President will either
veto or ignore any action that may be
taken by Congress looking to the recogni-
| ton of the independence of republic
which he firmly believes, and has stated
| repeatedly. is a government only on paper,
| an intangibility. No mere collection of
''tambourine beaters," as a State Depart
| ment official characterizes the gentlemen
| composing the Cuban Junta, will receive
| any sort of recognition at the hands Of the
President of the United States so long as
| the incumbent remains in office.
After Mr.. Olneys interview to-day there
can be no possible doubt as to the posi-
tion Mr. Cleveland will take. 1t is not so
sure. however, that Congress will not be
in all the more haste to put itself on record
in a very decided way in sympathy for
Cuba, but for that matter it went on rec
ord to that extent year ago. There is
now a double incentive for this action by
Congress. 1t take that method of
showing its resentment toward Mr.. Cleve-
land and it will have fear of possible
evil consequences from going too far. Any
thing short of an open declaration of war
will be mere discharge of blank cart
ridges, producing noise but injuring no one
Such a course would, in the estimation of
the lingo element, be putting the PreSi-
dent in u hole and making it appear that
he is un-American and blind TO the over
whelming sentiment of the American people
toward struggling neighbors battling for
liberty. The President is probably willing
to retire from office with the issue in that
shape. The financial and commercial inter-
ests will support the President in his posi-
ton, although the chorus of the multitudes
may reflect a different sentiment among the
people.
Senator Hale will lead the opposition to
the adoption of the Cameron resolution in
the upper branch of Congress, but there is
a strong disposition on the part of the ma
jority to override obstructive tactics and
make short work of the matter. Senator
Hale has threatened to talk the resolution
to DEATH but they have way in the Sem
ate of bringing a debate TO a sudden con-
clusion by resolving to hold continuous ses-
sion day and night until a vote is reached.
This is called the test of endurance" and
no minority has yet been strong enoughs to
stand out against ii long.
The House committee on foreign affairs
is almost solidly against Cuban interfer-
ence but the feeling among the members
is decidedly against assuming an attitude
of obstruction, and no serious objection
will be raised to immediate consideration of
the resolution when it reaches the House
from the Senate. But with the President
standing in the way. no decided results can
follow congressional action at this
time The President and his
premier have surely extracted the
teeth and claws from the Cameron or any
other resolution committing the govern
ment to interference until the embryotic
republic can present itself in palpable
form.
Senators and representatives who were
interviewed this afternoon and evening on
the Olney interview are dazed and indig-
nant. but they admit their helplessness and
impotency. although condemning the Pres
ident harshly for going out of his way to
insult Congress.
About half of the Indiana delegation
have gone home and by Monday evening
all of them will be on the way, except.
perhaps, Mr.. Hardy. 1t is doubtful if
enough members will remain in the city
Monday TO make a quorum and ii is pos
sible that absenteeism will make further
important legislation impossible until after