The times., 1898-03-06
SUNDAY. MARCH c, 1895.
The MCKINLEY Policy

Having arranged most Of the details
of the Spanish-Cuban bond deal. it is
quite possible that the Administration
may resort 10 finesse and endeavor
10 escape ultimate responsibility
by shifting the burden upon the should
ers Of Congress. The patriotic and
pious suggestion may be offered that.
since Congress is the war making
power Of the nation, as ii is when
properly considered, the responsibility
Of securing peace with dishonor, or the
alternative Of getting it by means of a
prearranged perfunctory war" as to
which England, France and Germany
may already have indicated their will
ingness to play parts in the program.
should be left TO the representative
branch OF the Government.
Before discussing the merits of this
nearly certain action by the Ad-
ministration il is well to let the
American people know exactly what
is meant by the war making pow
e. OF Congress- The Constitution
places in the control Of Congress
the right 70 declare war" just as
it gives that body the general con-
trol Of pensions and appropriations.
There is no exceptional power vested
IL Congress to declare war, independ-
ent Of the Executive prerogative Of
veto upon such action. 1t is very
strange how little the press and peo-
PIE Of America seem to know about
the Constitution, anyway! It is more
than surprising that the intelligence of
the country is not alive TO the fact that
the President, aside from his executive
functions. is a part and parcel of the
Congress.
The veto power makes him so. lie
is a potential, direct and active paIlia-
mentary quantity, under all circum-
stances Of legislation, In the declar-
alton Of war as well as in the opening
of an Indian reservation. Since il
takes a two-thirds vote Of both houses
TO overcome his objections to a bill Or
joint resolution, and so make one or
the other law in spite OF his opposition.
II follows that he is always q factor
in any measure which Congress may
eTact with the legislative potency Of
The difference between a bare majority
and the constitutional two-thirds vote.
Having explained that constitutional
popularity in the position Of the Presi-
dent. as q legislative as well as an ex-
ecutive officer. We may discuss the facts
- The situation IS all authorities agree
thar ii is likely 10 be handled by Mr.
Mckinley in the near future The Ad-
ministEation, beyond any question, is
bent upon carrying out the Spanish
Cuban bond deal which has dictated its
policy from the outset II is natural
that il would like 10 shake of the onus
~ that corrupt If not reasonable plot
ard induce Congress to assume il.
So the forthcoming patriotic message
may be expected 10 propose the real
ization of Cuban independence. accom-
panied by the Endorsement OF the Span
ish-Cuban syndicate bonds by way Of
indemnity 10 Spain"
The Administration is not oblivious
70 the fact that this viii raise a row
in the country, nor that the bare propo-
siu0n viii be likely to lead 10 such an
outburst OF anger in Spain that the Sa-
gasta government VIII be compelled 10
declare war, or. at any rate. to begin
hos;ilities. 10 save the Alfonzist mon
archy. All thaJ has been discounted
and prepared Tor long in advance. The
war VIII come and Mr. Mckinley
viii pose as the leader OF his people.
Senor Sagasta viii play the compile
nentary role on the other side: but. in
both cases, il viii be play to the gal
leries. The real drama does not vet
appear. il is a shrewd and satanic
confection. which, We are afraid The
American people viii be only able 10
read and understand in the lurld light
of a disgraceful history
We know that the combination which
composes the Spanish-Cuban bond syn
inets Of Washington, London, Paris and
Berlin. L is the great coalition of
European bankers. II has, for years,
dominated the financial policies Of all
four Of the leading nations referred to.
u has the fun political diplomatic and
military backing Of the powers which
81 influences That being the fact. the
analysis is an easy and a logical one.
Mr. Mckinley viii propose peace, with
the Independence Of Cuba, Spain TO
have indemnity under American guar
anty. The Spanish people will get
mad and compel Sagasta to fight. We
win be compelled 10 blockade Cuba
and starEe the Spanish garrisons into
submission. The brave old "Libera-
dor" Gomez, viii attack them in the