Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-29
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Long Session Of the Cabinet
Today.
OPINION STRONG For EXTRA SESSION
Secretary Root Talks on the Cuban
Convention.
AN IMPORTANT OMISSION

F------O----
At the unusually long session Of the cab
met today the consensus Of opinion was
strongly in the direction of an extra ses-
sion Of Congress. The meeting OF the Presi-
dent and his advisers lasted for two hours
and a half. the longest meeting that has
been held for more than two months. and
the result is that the feeling has grown that
1t will be almost impossible to escape a ses-
sion of Congress Immediately following the
adjournment of the present Congress. This
feeling was not the outcome OF any direct
discussion of that subject, but of long
talk by the Secretary of War and other
members on Cuba, its constitutional con-
vention and its constitution.
The Cuban Consultation.
Secretary Root impaired the information
that the constitutional convention will
probably have completed constitution by
the 18th Of February. The plan OF the
Cubans is to submit this constitution at
once to this country. It will be sent to
President Mckinley through Gen. Wood,
or brought here by his consent by dele
cation Of prominent Cubans The Presi-
dent will transmit 1t to Congress and will
expect that body to pass Judgment upon 1t.
1t is the almost unanimous opinion that
close of this session. 1t is further the opin-
lon that 1t would not be wise to wait until
next December before giving consideration
TO this important document that Is about
to be adopted by the people of Cuba in
their chosen convention. In fact 1t Is be-
lieved that to delay consideration until
next December would be to produce the ut
most impatience Of the people of Cuba and
lead to possible trouble.
1t Is regarded as sure that there would be
much excitement among the people over
what they would term a prolongation Of
what seems to them an already long delay
in securing Independence. Secretary Root
represented to the President and cabinet
that the people OF the island are exceeding
ly eager to put their own government into
operation and to be relieved Of the soldiers
and officials of this country. They do not
see why this cannot be done for them with
out waiting another year, as would have to
be the case If the constitution Of the Island
Is left until next December.
1t was stated at the cabinet meeting that
the Cuban convention has done nothing so
far to define the attitude the embryo
republic desires to occupy to this country.
That Is an important point. In the estima-
ton Of the President and cabinet.
1t Is question, Of course, whether the
convention should add to the constitution
some paragraph of It's desires as to the
future relations with the United States or
whether that is to be left to treaty negotia-
tons at later period. 1t is undoubtedly
the desire of the President that there shall
be some document that will forever show
that this country has not been ignored.
Without some such provision the Cuban
convention woula have been called In vain.
as its work would not be accepted by the
government. Cuba's relations to this coun-
try must be such as will preclude the pos
sibllity Of foreign interference and of tur-
moil, to the detrment and worry Of this
government.
The Delicate Phase of the Question.
1t is In this delicate, phase Of the whole
Cuban question that all statesmen have
looked to the most trouble. How the end
sought Is going to be reached with the
least friction Is the question now. In some
manner. either in her constitution or in
negotiations the result of which must be
guaranteed by the convention and people,
the Cubans must pledge themselves to
three important principles.
The first Of these is the right to declare
war. 1t Is asserted that the United States
cannot permit the Cuhans to embroil them
selves In trouble with any nation to the
possible great danger Of this country.
Therefore. in plain language there must be
some kind of supervision of the war-mak-
ing right Of the fighting Cubans. Next, the
United States, after all the trouble 1t has
had over Cuba, has no Idea of permitting
the Cubans to enter into treaties that Will
be obnoxious and unfair to this country,
either of a commercial or other nature.
The third Is the matter OF a big public
debt for the island. Such a debt must be
limited A big public debt, with consequent
obligations to possible various nations,
would be constant menace and probable
basis for war.
So, the most delicate and serious point of
the relations of this government and Cuba
are about to be reached. They are regarded
as being of sufficient Importance to practi-
caHy Justify an extra session Of the law
making power of this country. The United
tI,. -
ment for Cuba. OF course, such a govern
ment cannot be founded on a rotten and
Objectionable constitution. and 1t Is to pass
upon this that Congress may meet immedi-
ately after March next.
VIII Not shirk Responsibility.
President Mckinley Is understood to have
refraned today from any positive express
sion Of opinion as to an extra session, but
he has made up his mind that he will not
shrk the work and responsibilities that
would be entailed and stands ready to Issue
a call If the situation demands 1t. If the
Cubans should prolong their work for
month or so more no extra session will be
called, but If they get through by Feb
ruary IS 1t Is nearly certain that Congress
will have to meet Immediately after the
President Is inaugurated for his second
term.
The understanding here Is that after the
Cuban convention has adopted a constitu-
ton 1t will adjourn from time to time
pending action by the United States. at
least If it is likely that an extra session
will be called.
Talk of an Extra Session.
The prospects Of an extra session of Con-
gress were not increased by any develop
ments at the White House today. The
President has been represented as talking
a great deal to congressman ON this sub
Ject. AS u matter Of fact he has talked
little and has at no time made any state
ment that approaches definite under
standing that such session will be neces-
Sary. ,it
A prominent republican senator who was
at the White House says that the trend is
toward an extra session. but that 1t can
Or obably be avoided by, suitable legislation
This senator was speaking entirely for him
self but at the same time knows as much
of the Presidents views as any man in
Washington.
Representative Bereno e. Payne, republi-