New-York tribune., 1901-02-21
To AVOID EXTRA SESSION.
MANY PLANS SUGGESTED. But NONE
YET APPROVED.
DEMOCRATS MAY NOT FILIBUsTER AGAINST
THE sPOONER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
FOR THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.

THE sPOONER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
FOR THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.
fay TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNE.l
Washington. Feb 20-In the Military Affairs
COMMITTEE Of the Senate to-day there was a
square party division on the SpoOner resolution
empowering the President substitute civil
for military government in the Philippines The
committee was instructed 70 report the resolu-
tion as an amendment 70 the Army ApprOpria
ton bill All the Republicans on the commit
tee voted for a favorable report and all the
Democrats voted against it, Whether or not
this signifies an intention the part or the
minority in the Senate 20 hhuster against the
resolution cannot now he told II II does the
probabilities that the resolution will be de-
feated. and thus additional cause for an extra
session of the Congress will he created.
The President is quite determined TO give
the Filipinos civil government at the earliest
practicable date ne is to settle the final status
of Cuba
There is not the least division among Repub-
hcans the proposition of civil government
for the Philippines however divergent may be
their views regarding the Presidents Cuban
policy. This is shown by the fact that Repub-
licans are agreed that the President would he
amply justified in calling extra session Of
Congress as soon after March / as ne pleases
should the Democrats and their Populist allies
in the Senate defeat the SpOoner resolution. In
that event Congress could be held here until
the Cuban Constitution is cent 10 Washington
for approval provided. OF course. that it's send
ing is not postponed until next December. as
Representative Grosvenor. Of Ohio, and other
we'll Informed members Of the House profess 10
believe will be the case.
II can be- said. however that the President
does not share this belief on the contrary. he
/ is inclined 10 believe that the Convention at
Havana will compose its differences in time 10
send the document here by March I. and ne
informed all lnquirers again to-day that ne did
not see how an extra session was TO be avoided.
II is significant that the President continues
20 make this statement with full knowledge of
the fact that his party leaders in the Senate
are hard at work on a programme that would
relieve him of the necessity Of summoning Con
gress 10 hts aid in dealing with Cuba. Various
plans have been suggested this week. but none
yet have met the approval Of a majority OF
Senate Republicans. TO say nothing Of the Presi-
dent.
GoRMAN's ARGUMENT EFFECTIVE.
While the Democrats and Populists have
agreed. for political purposes. 10 prevent any
action on Cuba n this session. II is said on
trustworthy authority that within the next day
they will let IL be known 20 the Repub-
ncan leaders that they win not ilibuster against
the adoption Of the Spooner resolution. strong
intimation 70 this effect given r:ter OK
Senator German. Of Maryland. had conferred
with a number Of Democratic Senators this
afternoon. II IS said that he pointed out 20 them
In forcible language the political folly of their
threat 10 defeat the Spooner resolution. which
Is the first step toward the institution Of civil
government IN the Phflippines-a desideratum
upon which the Rryanite orators dwelt with
lachrynlose emphasis in the recent campaign.
The sagacious Marylander. IL IS said. reminded
his party representatives in the Senate that.
no matter n they did assert that the Spooner
resolution fell far short OF the Bryanite idea
of the form of government that ought ~ be or
ganized in the Philippines. they would he un-
able 10 impress the country with their sincerity
Of purpose II they should by stubborn flibuster-
ing withhold from the Filipinos even for ever
so short a time the only measure ~ civil gov
ernment that WAS likely 10 be extended 70 them
AT this juncture. That Mr.. Germans argu-
ments were effective was demonstrated when
later in the day. the Republican leaders re-
ceived tentative assurances from the Democratic
leaders that II the Spo0ner resolution were de-
feated through filibustering men like Teller
Pettigrew, Allen an1 Butler would be tO blame
for Il. The meaning Of this IL that while the
Democrats will vote almost solidly against the
resolution. they will not aid the Populists in
any programme Of obstruction.
Another consideration pointed out by Mr.. Cor
man that the Democrats should do all in
their power 10 prevent an extra session Of Con-
out an extra session 70 clear the decks for the
regular session such tremendous mass OF bust
ness would accumulate as 10 be certain 70 EN-
. harrass the Republican party just at the opening
Of he important Congress and State campaigns
IN 1892 That the Democrats with whom Mr.
. German talked were quick 20 realize the value
4 of this suggestion evidenced by the assur-
ances voluntarily rendered by them 10 the Re
pubcans anxious 70 prevent an extra session
that the Democrats gladly would cooperate
quietly OF c0,Irse-with those who are striving
20 dissuade the President from a course which
10 him seems wise and necessary.