Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-12
MILLS PLEADS FOR CUBA
Senator from Texas Urges Recognition of
Belligerents.
DENoUNCES PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
Speaks ContemptuousIy of Castelar,
wcyIer and of signor Crispi-
Allen of Nebraska Says
a Few Words.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE chief event
today in the senate session was an lmpas-
stoned speech by Mr. Mills of Texas, In iaVor
OF a resolution introduced by him to declare
the recognition OF foreign government
congressional prerogative and to recognize
the independence of Cuba and appropriate
$4,000 for the salary of a minister In sup
port of the first proposition the senator
quoted a long line OF precedents, and, speak
ing on the latter question, he strongly de-
nouncel the administration, charging 1t with
fayortism toward Spain. He spoke CON
temptuously Of CASTELAR, and Weyler ana Oh
Signor Crispi because Of his declaration that
Europe could not look without concern upon
the pretensions of the United States Inc
Cuban question was the mercantile spirit Oh
the nation against its honor, he declared
There was an informal decision by several
senators, and Mr.. Bacon of Georgia gave
notice of a speech tomorrow.
After q little preliminary business TO-DAY,
Mr.. Mills called up the resolution introduced
Inv him that the determination of the eN-
pediency OF recognizing the belllgerency Oh
a foreign government belongs to congress, anu
when congress so determines, the eNeCutive
should act in harmony with the legislative
department of the government; also recoS-
nizing the independence of the republic OF
cuba and appropriating $4,000 for the eX-
penscs of a diplomatic representative, anu
proceeded to, address the senate upon II.
Mr. Mills began by saying that the secre-
tarv of state had challenged the authority OF
congress to recognize the independence oil
foreign state, and that bill passed over
the veto of the president would be oil no
effect.
~ propose to meet that statement he
announced "The authority OF congress IN
this matter has never been challenged put
once Then the challenger was slgnally re,
a. n,,1s no Nsstl ia
He did not know where the secretary OF
state found his authority. government
must exist before 1t could be recognized, LOT
to recognize 1t diplomatic officer must De
sent to 1t. Congress must create the once,
had sole power to create an office, and must
do so before the president could send an
ambassador to a government.
"Thls is a most remarkable statement;
commented Mr.. Mills upon secretary Olhsy
dcclaration from which he quoted 'lhe
rospect that have for the secretary OF state
and the high office he holds, and for his chlet
and the high office he holds, is all that re-
strains me from saying more lie mas MS
duty and | have mine; the president must
not say TO the United states lhls Is hohe Vi
your business. ,
Mr. Mills read from President Monroes
message of March. 1922, relating to the recos-
milton of South American repuDllcs In reVo,
luton against Spain. Monroe, ne sald hau
recognized that both branches Of the govern
ment had a duty imposed upon them in the
recognition of foreign governments ana that
there must be cooperation monroe nau nut
said II have sent an ambassador, put III
congress should concur" in his views, ne
would recognize the new governments HOW,
In the face of precedent, no inquired coulu
the president of the United states ana the
secretary of state stand before tine people
of the United States and say that they had
the sole power to recognize foreign govern
ment with which they were to have com
mercial relations?
HE CITES PRECEDENTS
Mr. Mills recited as precedents the cases
of several South American republlcs ana 'he
state OF Texas, whose servant, ne salu' !
have the honor to be-.
Mr.. Mills said that he would not speak OF
the propriety of a secretary OF state DISCUSS
ing in public measure on which congress
was TO pass and predicting disaster II II
became law. In paying tribute to MI
Monroe he said: This was man on whose
shoulders boards of trade and stock eN-
changes never put their shackles.' IL was
something strange at this late day In the
closing hours Of the nineteenth century, that
the president had discovered that he alone
had power over the recognition OF foreign
governments and set at defiance resolution
of congress, even should 1t be passed Dy a
two-thiTds majority.
ment will not be wanting in power to carry
into effect the acts entrusted to II by the con
stitution," he said. The methods OF the
recognition of Hungary, Liberia ana hayl,
were canyassed and then Mr. Mills recalled
dispatch written by Secretary Seward IN
1864 to the United States minister to France
regarding the recognition of the MaNimllllah
monarchy in Mexico. Even in this dlspatch
Secretary Seward had spoken OF resolution
nassed by the house declaring against the
recognition of the monarchy in Mexico, hau
said that recognition was an executive iunc-
tion and that, unless the house resolution
should be passed by both houses and signed
A., III
over his veto, the president would not at
present change the government present
policy. Thereupon the foreign relations com
mittee had reported resolution eNpresslns
surprise that the president had seen Mt 10
apprlse a foreign government of difference
between branches of this government SUB
stitute for this resolution In nearly identlcai
terms had been adopted by unanimous vote
and Senator Morrill, and another afterwards
president of the United States had peeh
among those voting for its adoption
When such declaration had been made
In time of war by secretary or state so
highly honored as Mr.. Seward ana preSl-
dent so dear to the people as Mr.. Lincoln,
said Mr.. Mills, the congress had denounced
II and II would have no better fate now
IL was only when there was no doubt OF the
propriety of the course TO be taken that
the president could properly recognize
new government; In such a case as the over
throw of a dynasty. When the president
took such a step OF his own motion he as
Bumeu t0at the IdCtS were 50 pldlu lloN
congress would support him. Congress hav-
ing power for the recognition of a state, ought
she not now to recognize the independence
OF the republic OF Cuba?
QUOTES SENATOR MONEY.
He quoted from an interview with Sen
ator-ecct Money on Cuba to show the power
and functions OF the Cuban insurgents. The
neutrality laws OF the United States had
been so administered as to win the friend
ship OF Spain. II don't envy the president
his endorsements" remarked Mr.. NILS,
"his tributes from CASTELAR, and Weyler.
He argued that selling arms and ammunition
10 the insurgents was not a violation OF In
ternational law and that the administra-
tion had violated the spirit OF neutrality
by going to great lengths in warning Spain
of proposed movements of the insurgents.
. Washington had warned the country against
partlalities toward foreign nations, yet the
whole course of this administration had
been to strengthen the power OF Spain and
help her put down the insurrection The
president in his message had said that there
was no call for recognizing the belligerency
OF the Cubans He did not know where
the president obtained this remarkable in
formation-not from the people OF the United
States "Possibly he received II from boards
OF trade"
Mr. Mills said he had received letters from
many distinguished men imploring him TO do