The herald., 1896-12-21


the Madrid newspapers Senior Canovas
10 repofteA as saying that everything IS
nadf 70 tppG -feforrn in the Spanish
W&sf hides, but that all will depend
upon the course OF the campaign in
Cuba. The reforms. he says, will be
applied first to Porto Rico, but nothing
has been decided upon the subject pend
ing the receipt Of further dispatches
from General Weyler.
While i am PREMIER" said Senor
Canovas. "Spain will not provoke a con-
flict with the United States, but will
brook no attack on the sovereignty of
Spain. I say this calmly. but I am re-
solved to abide by it. That is my last
Adfi4fAl Jose Maria Beranger. min
lister of marine. in response to the re-
quest of a representative of the Associ-
Ated Press, consented to express his
view on the existing relations between
Spain and the United States.
II consider rupture between Spain
and the United States improbable" Ad-
miral Beranger said, 'but with view
OF averting any chance of a conflict. the
Spanish men-of-war in, Cuban waters
have received strict instructions to avoid
any friction with the United States
Nevertheless, in order to be prepared for
amy emergency, I have ordered the ves-
sells both at home and abroad to be COM
pleted rapidly for service. The marine
infantry will be strongly organized and
all the seamen in the maritime districts
will be enrolled Should a war unfor-
tunately arise, the mercantile marine
would fit out numerous privateers
manned by picked crews, which would
be capable of inflicting greaUdamage OH
American shipping on the high seas and
on unfortified American seaports.'
Admiral Beranger expressed his be-
lief that the Spanish navy, in the daring
of crews and the strength of the Spanish,
was match for the Americans. He ex-
pressed the hope. however, that Spain
would only require her navy to defend
her colonial possessions from insurgent
criminals without any international con-
f1ict.
THE RESOLUTION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-There is
very little probability that there will be
any change in the program of congress
for an adjournment for the holidays on
| the 22d because of the Cuban resolution,
which will be reported to the senate to-
morrow. The rules of the senate pro-
vide that in case of single objection to
the consideration of bill or resolution
reported. it shall go over until the next
day. Consequently, If an attempt We're
made to have the resolution considered
tomorrow this objection would be forth
coming. A great many senators have
made their preparations to leave the city
for the holidays, and it is thought an
likely that a quorum can be mustered
on Tuesday by which business can be
transacted, and this point would be
raised If the Cameron resolution was
brought forward.
The statement made by Mr.. Olney yes
Iterday Is still a subject of earnest dis
lcussion. On some hands his position is
fully sustained, while on others it is ad-
United that perhaps from purely tech
Inical statement of law the secretary's
position is correct. but that it certainly
violates the principle of the Constitu-
ltion. Those who make this contention
reverse the circumstances. Supposing,
they say, that the president declared
that he intended to recognize a repub-
lie, and that congress should pass a res
olution declaring it their judgment that
no such action should be taken, would 1t
be possible for the president, in face of
the position of both senate and house, to
use the executive prerogative and rec
Ognize republic?
This constitutional point has, for the
: time being, supplanted in interest the
resolution itself, and it is known that
when the resolution is brought forward
for discussion that debate of consider
able interest and length Will ensue on
this subject. The position of Mr.. Olney
. setting forth that of the administration
will undoubtedly have it's effect in some
: quarters of the senate and it is said to-
s night that sufficient opposition can be
mustered to defeat the resolution
OPINIONS GIVEN.
CINCINNATI, O., Dec. 2O.-The Com
mercial- Tribune wired prominent men
for their views on the power of congres IS
to recognize the independence of Cuba
and tonight received this answer from
Senator Sherman:
There is no foundation for the state
ment that congress may not if it will,
recognize the independence of new ma
ton, nor do 1 think that Mr.. Olney con-
tests it.; but he thinks the matter ought
to come from the president. If, however,
congress should pass resolution and
the president should veto 1t, it can be
passed by a two-thirds vote of each
house and would become law which
the president must respect and obey"
Senator Davis of Minnesota tele-
graphed: Il think that Mr.. Olney's po-
sition Is untenable. In my opinion, con-
gress has the power by statute or by
joint resolution to recognize the inde-
pendence of Cuba. If the president ap-
proves the measure there can of course
be no controversy. If he disapproves
it and it is passed over his veto it be-
comes law of the land as effectually q:
II he had approved, and his duty to ex.
ecute it is equally imperative in either
case"
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
LIMA, Peru. Dec. 20-The workman's
club of this city held an excited meeting
today at which the Cuban question wa.
discussed. The club adopted a resolu
ton to distribute in large numbers
portrait and biography of Antonio Ma.
GEO.
IN MEXICO.
CITY OF MEXICO, Dec. 20-The stu
dents of Oaxaca in public meeting hav,
passed resolutions deploring the deatl
of Maceo and urging the government t,
recognize the independence of the Cuban
republic. Cuban sentiment here is in
tense, and all news from the Unite,
States showing equal warmth of senti
ment in the great republic is read Will
interest.
A PREACHER PROTEST.
DANVILLE, Pa, Dec. 20.-Rev. Dr
McAtee, pastor of the Grove Presbyte
rian church in this city, in a stirring pre-
lude to his sermon this morning, mad
an earnest appeal for peace and no in
reference in Cuban affairs at presen
At an informal meeting of the congrega
tion held at the close of the service,
resolution was adopted unanimously en-
dorsing the pastors views and calm
upon congress and especially Pennsyl
vania's senators and representatives
abstain from any action tending to en
broil the United States in hostlities