The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-15
WHAT WILL INTERVENTION MEANT

1t is generally assumed that intervention
would mean war, and that war would GER
tainly result in the independence of Cuba
Both assumptions are probably correct, yet
there is a possibility in each case that it
might not prove so. 1t is evident that the
Intervention which Congress means is with
a view to the expulsion of Spain from Cuba
and the establishment there of an independ-
ent, stable government. 1t is also evident
that Congress does not expect this to be
accomplished without war. The resolution
which has passed the House authorizes and
directs the President ito intervene at once
to stop the war in Cuba. to the end, and
with the purpose of securing permanent
peace and order there and establishing, by
the free action of the people there,
stable and independent government of their
own in the Island of Cuba" The President
is not only directed to do this, but to do it
"at once" The Senate resolution pend
ing and likely to be adopted declares 'That
it is the duty of the United States to de-
mand, and the government of the United
States does hereby demand that the govern
ment of Spain at once relinquish its au
thority and government in the Island of
Cuba and withdraw it's land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters" The
Senate resolution makes the evacuation Of
Cuba by the Spanish the objective point,
thus assuring its independence, but does not
say anything about the subsequent estab-
lishment of stable government. The House
resolution directs the President to intervene
"at once" and authorizes and empowers him
to use the land and naval forces of the
United States in carrying out the order
while the Senate resolution enjoins a policy
of intervention and directs" the President
to use the army and navy in carrying it out.
These variations of phraseology may not
be material but they raise question
whether Congress has a constitutional right
to direct the President to do anything
any more than it has to direct the Supreme
Court. If Congress passes a law or joint
resolution declaring war or calling for in
tervention, it is the constitutional duty of
the President to enforce it without special
order or direction to that effect.
The debates in both houses of Congress
show very clearly that it expects interven-
ton to lead to war and war to the indie
pendence of Cuba Probably events would
happen in this order. but they might not.
There is remote possibility. perhaps one
chance in q thousand, that Spain might
evacuate Cuba without fight, might
even permit intervention without resentng
/. it. There is also a possibility. equally re-
mote, that the insurgents may accept the
armistice or Spain's offer of autonomy, thus
virtually ending the war and removing all
ground for Intervention. These are remote
possibilities. but the unexpected often hap
pens. Other possibilities grow out OF the
Presidents construction of Intervention and
the extent of the zeal with which he would
carry out the policy of Congress. A month
ago he was not in favor either of interven-
ton or independence. On the 9th of March,
according to his recent message, he sub
mitted as an ultimatum to Spain PROPOSE
ton looking to armistice until Oct. i.
for the negotiation of peace with the good
offices of the President" Had Spain ac-
cepted that proposition she would have had
all the summer in which to recuperate and
negotiate a peace on the basis of the re-
establishment of her authority in Cuba. II
the President is in favor of the independence
Of Cuba or of armed intervention now he
has changed materially since March o. If
no is so little In favor of either that he
would take his time in carrying out the
policy of Congress, some new turn of the
wheel at the last moment might prevent
!. collision and avert war. This. also, Is q