New-York tribune., 1901-02-10
NO RESPONSE FROM CUBA.
THE PRESIDENT AWAITING ACTION BY
THE CONVENTION AT HAVANA
OPINION IN WASHINGTON DIVIDED AS TO
THE NECESSITY FOR AN EXTRA SESSION
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.I

/ THE NECESSITY FOR AN EXTRA SESSION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Washington. Feb 9-There has been virtually
no change in the Cuban situation to-day at this
end Of the line. IL Is evident that before the
Government gives out another ;ntimaton of its
wishes or intentions some response will have
been received from the Constitutional Conven-
ton at Havana TO the lively agitation of the
question here. Thus far absolutely nothing of a
satisfactory or encouraging character has been
sent from Havana. It is realized that the un-
official discussion here of the failure of the con-
stitution makers at Havana to follow the in
structions contained in the order of General
Wood convoking the convention has been COM
municated fully and in detail TO the delegates,
and why some sort of response has not come
from the Cuban capital cannot be understood
The leaders of opinion in Washington are now
practically a unit i'm the demand that the Cubans
insert in their constitution provisions plainly
and unequivocally defining the relations between
Cuba and the United States and there is no
longer much doubt in any influential quarter
of the ample right and power of Congress to
deal directly and rigidly with the matter if the
Cubans stubbornly refuse TO take the initiative.
Unquestionably the situation would be consid-
erably smpliied IL the Cubans would put into
their constitution substantially the guarantees
demanded by this Government and which were
contemplated in General Woods proclamation.
Advices from Havana. however, indicate that
the preliminary work of the convention is near
ly finished. and that il will be completed by
February Is If the present rate Of progress is
maintained. II is thought that the completed
work viii not reach the President before the
last week In February. which will be too late
for him TO submit II to the present Congress.
II is likely that the translation sent here from
will haN tn ha 1lIxy fDe1 hx
Government experts and compared with the
original text
There be no doubt at all of what the
Presidents action will be IL the constitution does
not contain the guarantees demanded by this
country. II is still possible OF course. that he
may not call extra session OF Congress to
deal with the subject. but il is certain that
whenever he does submit IL TO Congress he will
send along with II vigorous message pointing
out the defects and shortcomings in the instru-
ment.
on the question OF extra session even the
best informed opinion still is divided. The Cabi-
net. whole. seems TO be at this moment con-
WINGED that an extra session is inevitable. one
member Of the Cabinet said to-day he felt
certain that the President would issue a call In
April for the new Congress to assemble about
the first week in May. The great majority in
both branches of Congress continue to oppose
the suggestion Of an extra session. and because
OF their wish not TO be held here very long after
March they striving earnestly TO devise
some method by which 10 relieve the President
OF the feeling that extra session will he
necessary The favorite means To this end con-
tinues to be the suggestion that the Senate Com
mittee Relations with Cuba attach TO the
ARMY Approprfation bin a Joint resolution di-
recting the President 20 end the military Occu-
patton OF the island whenever the Cubans COM
ply with the requirements that will be defined In
the resolution. II is thought possible. however.
that the Democrats and Populists In the Senate
would obstinately oppose this move. even To the
extent of filibusteTing against IT, they have
filibustered against the Ship Subsidy bill. II
they should do this they could completely block
all action. and the session would end without
anything having been done TO relieve the present
situation In Cuba. II Is significant that none
OF the opponents Of the Government. not even
Senator Teller will now discuss their programme
further than to reterate their intention 10 fight
every proposition not In harmony with their in
depreciation Of the Teller resolution.