The age-herald., 1901-02-21
President Says Cuban Question
 Must Be Settled
MANY FAVOR ANNEXATION
Iut for Teller Amendment to Inter vention Resolution There is No Doubt Annexation Would
 Soon Take Place

Age-Herald Bureau, 509 14th street, N. w, Washington, February 2O.-(Special) The President appears to be as deter mined as ever to call Congress in extra session to settle the Cuban question, though If there is a unity of opinion on the part of the leaders of each house that this is unnecessary he may change his mind, believing that their united opinion on such subject Is. perhaps, better than his. There is certainly no chance what s)ever of any action on Cuba at the present session. If the Cubans should unreservadly accept the conditions the Presidents insists shall be imposed on them pre- cedent to the withdrawal of o1r troops, or If they refuse to yield and ne gotiations are necessary that are likely to be long drawn out. 1t would seem as If an extra session might be avoided.
 h either event it would be impossible to withdraw troops before the next regu- lar session convenes, because with ne gotiations pending there would be no government In Cuba except the military one of the United States and with all con ditions granted, 1t would require almost a year for the Cuban government to or ganize, make laws and get into working shape. Congress will have to authorize the withdrawal of troops. One thing Is certain, that the Cubans are fooling themselves if they think the United States will consent to any amendment Of the conditions stated in Secretary Root s letter to Governor General Wood.
 It will be impossible to accept the sug- gestion of La Nacion that all conditions be accepted with the proviso that Amer ican control over Cuban foreign affairs shall continue for only two years. Such control is necessary indefinitely. so those in authority to speak on this side insist, 1t the interests of the United States are to be safely guarded and the danger of serious foreign complications is to be avoided.
 Ultimate Annexation.
 In connection with this Cuban ques- ton, 1t is surprising to note how great the sentiment in each house, and among public men of each party, particularly among the Republicans. is in favor of the ultimate annexation of Cuba. This is felt to be not only best for the Cubans but for the United States as well.
 If 1t were not for the Teller amendment to the intervention resolution, which was put on in a burst of sentiment, when the Congress and the country was hystert- cal about the wrongs of the Cubans, who have not since shown much gratitude, there is no doubt that there would be the strongest kind of an annexation senti- ment expressed in both houses, a senti- ment that could not be overcome. Judg- ing by reports that come to public men from many sections of the country, this annexation sentiment Is very strong throughout the nation.
 The Teller resolution and the necessity of keeping faith with Cuba prevents di- rect annexation now. But as 1t Is, there Is a very general opinion that American troops, through some disagreement with the Cubans as to conditions for the with drawal of our authority, will never be withdrawn and that Cuba will be eventu- ally annexed There is another opinion that after a comparatively brief experi- ment with self-government under our semi-protectorate, Cuba will be annexed. In the general opinion such seems to be the destiny of the island, the difference of opinion being chiefly as to the events that will precede such annexation.
 ALBERT HALSTEAD.