President Cleveland seems to have no doubt that Congress in
thus acting will exceed its powers. Mr. Olney, his Secre- tary of State, affirms publicly that the President will consider such a vote, even if passed by a two-thirds majority, as only an "expression of opinion by the eminent gentlemen" of the Senate and the House of Representatives, " the power to recognise the so-called Republic of Cuba as an independent State resting solely with the Executive." The "Resolution will be without effect," except, adds Mr. Olney, in making the protection of American citizens more difficult. Congress can, however, pass a law by a two-thirds majority prohibiting the trial of filibusters engaged in assisting the Cuban in- surgents,—which would produce a declaration of war. It is said that the sympathisers with Cuba hope to irritate Spain into some hostile declaration ; but Senor Canovas has publicly declared that, while Spain will defend her honour, her whole history being made up of grand feats performed without calculation of consequences, he still relies upon the justice of President Cleveland and of the American people- He therefore only hurries on the armament of his new cruisers. We have given elsewhere some reasons for believing that, while the feeling of Congress in favour of Caba is sincere, its unusual expression was due to uncalculating im- pulse, and will not therefore involve war. The Jingoes of the United States are very fond of playing with fire, but the calmer heads of the nation usually manage to arrest any conflagration by a free use of wet blankets. One of the most effective of these is the immense delay provided by the Constitution of the Union before the will of the people can become operative. They are always absolute, but can rarely act for a year or two,—which induces reflection.
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