New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-13
A PRECEDENT FOR RECOGNITION.

The question Of recognition Of Cuban beger-
ency or independence Is again raised. The
President recommends intervention without i'm
mediate recognition, and IS largely supported
in that policy by Congress and the Nation.
Both in and out OF Congress. however, are
many who favor immediate recognition, not
only Of the Cuban insurgents as belligerents.
but Of their government "a an Independent and
sovereign Power. Upon that issne there Will
probably be much discussion. The Presidents
message presents the arguments against recog-
milton 50 clearly and forcibly to leave little
to be added on that side. But It may not be
amss TO consider, in the light OF important
precedents, the question whether such recogni-
ton Is not primarily an Executive function, to
be exercised by the President at his discretion
and not dictated by the National Legislature
The most fitting precedent Is to be found In
the case Of the South American colonies, which
began to revolt against Spain In 1870 and by
1924 succeeded IN expcng the last Spanish
garrison from the continent. The movement
wns sympathetlcally regarded by the American
Government and people President Madison
declared in 1911 that the United States must
take n deep interest in the destiny OF those
countries and be prepared for whatever order
Of things might ultimately be established. and
not long afterward he ordered the customs Off
GERS to grant the hosplralites Of the ports to
vessels under the insurgent flags, just as TO
those under the flags Of any other Powers.
This was done years before the independence
or even the belllgerence Of the insurgents was
formally recognized Their begercnce
not recognized until 1917, and the act was then
performed by President Monroe as purely
LODI hy
Congress to be such. Down to that date Con
gress had not taken the matter under consid-
Grafton, excepting that in 1911 resolution was
offered in the House, but not pressed TO a vote,
declaring that Congress would cooperate with
the President as far 1t constltutlonally might
in establishing relations with the new republics.
Serious Congressional action began In 1917.
When President Monroe In December Of that
year made his declaration of neutrality between
the bclligerents the House Of Representatives
requested him to give 1t such Information as
he properly could concerning the Independence
and political condition Of the South American
revolutlonlsts. Before making answer the Pres
ldent sent three personal agents to those coun-
tries to investigate and report. and In March
following, without yet having given word OF
the information desired, asked Congress for
$4,000 to pay their expenses. Immediately
Henry Clay then Speaker Of the House, de-
manded to know why the President had sent
the men abroad on such an GRAND without Con
gressional authorization. and he moved that in
stead of paying their expenses, Congress should
appropriate $4,000 for outfit and one years
salary Of n Minister to the now governments.
This motion he supported in ono OF his most
noteworthy speeches. which lasted two days
and contained about all the serious arguments
now put forth in favor Of recognition OF Cuban
independence. Reply was made by Mr.. For
syth, aftcrward Secretary OF State, his prime
objection TO Mr.. Clay's motion being that It
would be an unwarraned interference with
prerogative of the President. At the close Of
the debate Mr. Clays motion was overwhelm-
ingly defeated.
But Mr.. Clay was irrepressbe. In April.
1920, he moved that. In the opinion OF the
House, 1t was expedient tn send Ministers to