Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Short Session of the Cabinet Held
Today.
GOSSIP ABOUT AN EXTRA SESSION
The President Hopeful That 1t May
Not Be Necessary.
GEN. OTIS DISPATCH READ

The cabinet meeting today was short.
Only five members were present, the absen-
tees being Secretaries Long, Alger and VIII
son. Mr.. Hitchcock, the new Secretary OF
the Interior was present for the hrst time
and watched the operations of cabinet
session with interest. He was accompanied
to the White House by Secretary Bliss.
Mr.. Bliss said that he would remain in
Washington until tomorrow, when he would
go to New York. After few days in New
York he will leave for Jekyl Island, near
Brunswick, for rest and recuperation.
Cabinet members say the President is now
more hopeful that an extra session of Con-
gress will not be necessary. He is inclined
to believe that the Hull bill will pass Con-
gress at this session, and that ali the ap-
preparation bills will get through. 1t is said
that the program of the republicans in the
Senate is to push the army bill without ces-
satiOn, even to the exclusion of the appro-
priatlon bills. Should any of these bills be
left unacted upon extra session OF Con-
gress for the specific purpose OF considering
them would probably be called. AS the
work of the session would be limited to this
the Legislators would probably make their
stay here short
Gen. Otis Dispatch Read.
A dispatch from General Otis on the
Philippine situation was read to the cabi-
the announcement that the natives ON the
island Of Negros had voluntarily raised
the American flag was the statement that
the arrival of reinforcements would enable
General Otis to handle the insurgents in a
satisfactory manner. General otis says
that the natives admit that they Will be un-
able to resist with force after the additional
forces of the United States arrive. These
forces are expected at Manila in a few
days.
There was some talk # the payment of
S3,oOC,UDU TO the Cuban army. 1t was said
at the cabinet meeting that General Gomez
is expected in Havana today to meet Cen
eral Brooke. They Will have long con-
ference, and settle the details OF the pay
ment OF the money.
Extra Session Talk.
The subject of an extra session of Con-
gress is still one of great interest TO public
men, and callers at the White House have
apparently made up their minds that the
prospective session cannot be avoided.
There were not many of these callers to-
day, but they were men of weight in party
councils and of influence with the Presi-
dent. Senator Cullom was one of these
He talked with the President for some
time of conditions here and in the Philip
pines and Cuba. He considers that the
situation in the Philippines is threatening
and critical. When asked his opinion of
an extra session Senator CulIom said: Il
cannot see how an extra session can be
avoided if the present condition of affairs
is continued"
Representative Grosvenor, who comes as
near being an administration spokesman
as any man in the House. was with the
President a short time. He sees an extra
session looming up result of the oppo
siton to the Hull bill. I'VE cannot get
along without some legislation in behalf
of an increase in the army he said.
Senator Foraker and Representatives
Dolliver and White were among other re-
publican callers.
Mr.. BaiIey's Views.
Representative Bailey, the democratic
leader, was also at the White House, but
he was on routine business, and did not see
the President His views as to an extra
session differ ve:y widely from those of
Senator Cullom and Representative Gros-
venor Il do not think there will be an ex-
ira session. he said. There will be no eX-
cuse for one. The democrats will offer to
amply provide for any emergency which
may confront the administration between
the adjournment of this Congress and the
opening of the next. That will give the
country time to consider what is best for
the future"
Mr.. Bailey, it is understood, believes that
the proposition of the House democrats as
to the Hull bill was the best which has been
offered. That was to permit the increase
in the army with a proviso that the addi-
tional troops should be used only in the
new territory now held by the United
States