The St. Louis Republic., 1901-02-25
President Will Then Undertake to
Conduct Negotiations as to
Cuban Relations.
PLAN 10 AVOID EXTRA SESSION.
Senators Are Making an Effort TO
Get Together, but Much
Depends on JOnes's
Attitude.

RErCBf.ic SPECIAL.
Washington, Feb. 2i.-Ia tire Cuban stu
alton the two important news develop
ments to-day are:
That the President is willing to forego
calling an extra session in case Congress
is aple to agree upon u declaration of our
future relations with Cuba to meet ms
views
That the condition in the Democratic
party Is such that the question whether
there shall be such a declaration by Con-
gress rests now upon few leading Demo-
Gratis of the Senate, notable among whom IS
Senator James X. Jones Of Arkansas.
chairman of the Democratic National Com
mittee.
There has been considerable doubt as to
whether President Mckinley would, under
any circumstances. be willing 10 assume
the responsibility of passing on the Cuban
Constitution and the relations with Cuba
unless the Constitution had first been sent
to Congress. The President has at last
consented, in repsnose to oyertureS from
almost the entire Republican representa-
tion in the Senate, to take charge OF the
Constitution when IL is sent here. provided
Congress shall declare whether in its opin-
ion the United States should have the right
to intervene in Cuba, to have voice in
the islands foreign affairs. to pass upon
the question OF the creation OF an enormous
bonded debt. to supervise sanitary and
commercial intercourse and to have coal
ing stations.
Seeking to Reach Agreement.
If Congress meets this question the Presi-
dent Is willing to take the responsibility Of
conducting negotiations with Cuba without
calling an extra session. He has told Sena-
tors this. and that explains the remarkable
activity among Democratic and Republican
Senators alike In seeking to reach an agree
ment so that they may return home and at
tend to their private affairs.
The Democratic party still remains the
unknown quantity. A large majority Of the
Republican Senators are pledged to the
programme OF meeting the Presidents
views on the Cuban question in an amend
ment to the army appropriation bill. The
most ultra opponents of any policy that
permitted the United States to have any
hand In Cuban affairs-Senators Teller and
Money-have, IN a measure, been won over
TO the plan of avoiding an extra session
Before this plan can be carried out Senator
Jones of Arkansas and his associates must
be brought into the fold.
II is explained to-day that Senator Jones
might be willing to consent to this arrange
ment and permit the amendment to come to
a vote without filibustering or he might
occupy the position before the country OF
assuming the responsibility for compelling
the President to call long and expensive
extra session of Congress.
senator JOnes's Position.
Senator Jones was asked this question to-
day: Are you In favor OF Congress voting
at this session on a resolution or amend
n.ent to the army bill defining the status
of Cuba 30 Gar as 1t relates to the United
- ., 81.
Senator Jones's reply was not of . nature
encouraging to those who were seeking to
avoid the extra session.
Il should like to vote" he said. "once
more In favor of Senator Teller's resolution
of April l. 1898. in which We declared Cuba
to be free and independent and disclaimed
any intention of interfering with her sover-
eighty .--
Senator Jones said emphatically that he
would not favor any dictation by the United
States to Cuba. He declined to commit
himself on any specific proposition until 1t
should be advanced in the Senate.
There have been many conferences to-day.
but the whole question as to whether there
should be an extra session or not hangs to-
night on the intention Of the Democrats to
permit such amendment to the army bill as
may be presented being brought to vote
II they flibuster they can throw the whole
matter over beyond March 4. and an extra
session Will be inevitable.