New-York tribune., 1901-02-22
TO CALL EXTRA SESSION.
gHE PRESIDENT REACHES A DECISION
BASED on IMPORTANT INFORMA-
TION FROM CUBA.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuSE.l

Washington. Feb. 21.-An doubts which here
tofore may have harassed the President in re-
gard 20 his duty Cuba well 10 the
United States in the matter OF an extra session
Of Congress appear 10 have been dissipated by
some important information he received to-day
from well known American who has been in
Havana several months closely studying the
situation. This man returned to Washington
yesterday from Cuba. and called at the White
House to-day al the invitation Of the President.
The whole Cuban question was discussed in the
frankest manner, and at the conclusion Of the
interview The President told his visitor that Con-
gTess would be called in special session just as
as the Cuban constitution received
here Because Of the doubt as to when the con-
stitution VIII be forwarded TO Washington, the
President unable 10 say on what date Con-
gress would be assembled. Therefore the re-
port scattered broadcast over the country
to-day that the new Congress would he SUM
moned 10 meet on March - is the merest guess
work The constitution is not expected TO reach
Washington un, the first week in March. BY
that time the present Congress viii have eN-
pired, and then after carefully studying the con-
stiiution himself and discussing il with his Cab
met in order to decide on a definite policy, the
President viii issue a call for the new Congress
70 meet in extra session. II is thought that
within week after the constitution arrives here
the President viii be prepared TO call Congress-
and THAI the date Of the meeting will be earlier
than March %
FUTURE RELATIONS WITH CUBA.
The President obtained from his visitor to-
day Information which Justifes the attitude he
has maintained toward Congress from the be-
ginnng Of the new Cuban agitation. Some Of
the facts having important bearing on the
be dwelt upon in the Presidents message, and
hinted al IN his inaugural address. Not the
least of these is that the Cuban delegates who,
perhaps viii bring the constitution To Wash
ingtOn, will contend that Congress has no right
to amend or iu any way modify that instrument
This contention viii be based on the assertion
that the constitution was framed in accord with
the instructions given by GOVernor-Cieneral
Wood in an order issued after the Constitutional
Convention had met and was ready TO proceed
with the business before il, and which super
seoed the order authorizing the election OF dele
gates
IL will be recalled that on this occasion Cen
eral Wood instructed the convention in effect
that It was first 10 frame and adopt a constitu-
ton. and when that work was completed the
Delegates were 10 formulate an expression Of
opinion 20 what should be the relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States. The Presi-
cents visitor to-day Informed him that the Gu
bans were standing pat" on this second order
OF General Wood. and for that reason had re-
fnseo 10 put into the constitution clauses de-
hnins the relations Of Cuba 10 the United States
'e Thought that within cay two the dele
gates would formally adopt some opinion,
winch they will bring with them 10 Washington,
as a part OF the record OF their convention He
aiso TOLD the President that this opinion would
~ ADVERSE 10 the suggestion that the United
States have coaling and naval stations In Cuba
"ho also against the suggestion that this Gov
e'hnent control the debt making power and the
foreign treaties OF Cuba
rurthermore. he Informed the President that
'"s TEMPER Of the cubans was such that il
"'uia De dangerous 10 social order and material
progress In the island for the questions az issue