San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-29
CUBA'S BELLdGERENCY.
CONCURRENT IDEA SUITS OLEVB-
LAND BEST.
If Recognized in Anys0ther Manner War
Must Inevitably Follow,
With Spain.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-It is ex-
pected that the probable action of
congress in respect to the Cuban
resolutions pending In both houses
occupied the attention of yester-
days cabinet meeting. In view of
the position taken heretofore by
the president and the secretary of
state, and which there is no reason
to suppose they have abandoned
toward all propositions to recog-
nize the belligerency OF the insur-
gents, the decision of the senate
committee on foreign relations to
express the sentiment and wish OF
congress in the form Of q concur
rent resolution instead of shaping
il as a Joint resolution at this time
recognizing the belligerency OF the
Cuba and eventual independ-
ence of the rebels, he would
be placed in very disagreeable
position. II he approved the reso-
luton it would be a confession
that the course pursued by our
government toward Cuba and
Spain, up to this time had been
wrong, for it had been insisted
that there had been no changes in
the relations to the parties to the
warfare in Cuba that would war
rant to a change Of our feeling at
present.
1t would amount to reversal Of
the position taken by our state de-
partment in defiance to some OF the
great European powers toward the
Brazilian revolution, in which we
insisted as a precedent to recogni-
ton that the insurgents must have
a seat of government, must issue
money and must have a navy, for
at least two OF these requisites are
lacking in the case of the present
revolution. On the other hand, il
he invited a joint resolution OF this
character, the president would be
obliged probably to face storm OF
popular disapproval and to make
an issue with. congress that might
be fraught with the gravest conse.
uuences, for it is realized that the
resolution could be passed over his
veto.
But by making the resolution a
81 mple concurrent one, the presi-
dent will be relieved of the neces-
sity of announcing a decision at
this time. He can regard the reso.
luton as an expression by con-
gress and not binding on the exec.
utive, as would be the case with
Joint resolution, which has all the
effect Of bill. 1t will in fact have
all the force and extent Of the Ar
menian resolutions. In that case
the senate passed concurrent res
olution that our government,
through the executive branch, take
action in Europe, which action, in
the opinion of the president, was
to be consistent with the sound
American policy of non-interfer-
ence in the affairs Of that conti-
nent. AS this was concurrent
resolution, the president was not
required either to approve or dis
approve it, and as 1t had not the
force of law he was not obliged to
act in accordance with the sugges-
tion of congress. AS a matter OF
fact he did not 30 act aud the reso-
luton remains in the department
of state absolutely Ineffective.
The pendence of these Cuban
resolutions have caused some
friends of the administration who
have taken long look shead, as
far ahead indeed as to that point
where there may be a deliberate
proposition from congress to de-
clare war which Senator Morgan
has said must follow the adoption
OF the pending resolution and they
are now discussing the relative
powers OF congress and the presi-
dent in that matter. 1t appears
that much may turn upon the con-
struction to be placed by the
senate judiciary committee on the
question now before it on the pro-
per scope of joint and concurrent
resolutions.
One clause of the constitution
says congress shall have power to
declare war. This would seem to
carry the idea that this may be
done by a concurrent resolution as
1t is power entirely reserved TO
congress, but on the other hand,
another paragraph OF the constitu-
tion seems to require the presi-
dents approval to any joint action
of congress, save adjournment.
The apparent constitutional con-
flict on this point is engaging the
most serious consideration Of the
administration people.