New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
CHANCE OF EXTRA SESSION
SENATE MINORITY Nor so DETERMINED
OK OBSTRUCTION POLICY AS
AT FIRST - AWAITING
CUBAN ACTION.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]
CUBAN ACTION

washington, Feb pat this juncture the
,r.,,bood OF an extra session of Congress TO deal
,s,b the Cuban question does not seem as prob
eble as IL did a few days ago. The change is
.ta+ the minority IN the Senate does not now ap-
,esr as determined TO obstruct the programme
- the majority as the expressions Of the leaders
~ the minority indicated when the agitation of
the question was started. Even Senator Teller
,r,bo tHo weeks ago declared he would yield TO
M proposition short Of a direction 10 the Presi-
dent by Congress withdraw the troops from
~uba as soon as il was shown that the island
government was organized. now talks as if his
opposition 10 the plan TO avert an extra session
viii go no further than a formal protest against
the adoption Of the resolution proposed by SEN
stor Platt, Of Connecticut; Senator Spooner and
orher Republican members of the Committee on
Relations with Cuba.
Senator Teller said tonight that he would not
flibuster against the resolution which is to be
attached 10 the Army Appropriation bill and
which seeks 10 empower the President to deal
with the Cuban constitution makers in defining
the relations 10 exist between Cuba and the
United States Senator Spooner who with Sen
ator Plat. Of Connecticut, has had several con-
ferences with the President on the subject in the
last few days reiterated tonight that the propo-
sition drawn by him and Mr.. Platt having for
its object the avoidance Of an extra session sub
stantially met with the approval of the Presi-
Gent
AT the same time others who have seen the
President IN the last twenty-four hours say that
he has told them that he does not yet see his
way clear 10 avoid calling Congress 10 his aid
soon after he receives from Governor-General
Wood properly certified copy OF the Cuban
constitution accompanied by formal expression
by the convention Of the basis upon which
Cubas future relations 10 this country should
be founded. II can be stated, despite the op-
timistic utterances OF Senators and others op-
posed TO extra session. that the President
still IS determined not 10 shoulder all the re-
sponsibility connected with the final settlement
of Cubas status, and that even If the Platt-
spooner amendment TO the Army Appropriation
bin is adopted IL is by no means certain that
he VIII not call Congress together within a
month 10 do its share of the work
The President has been informed that there
will be danger 10 the interests Of both countries
in postponing indefinitely the withdrawal Of
our military garrisons and he realizes that II the
Cubans should refuse 10 accept the Platt-
Spooner propositions additional embarrassment
and irritation might ensue. However the conf
dence Of both Senator Platt, Of Connecticut, and
Senator Spooner in the efficacy OF their remedy
for the necessity OF an extra session is so great
that il is having an effect upon well informed
persons, who only day or two ago were con-
WINGED that special meeting OF the new Con-
gress soon after the expiration OF the present
one was unavoidable.
Then, too. Senator TeIlers apparent backdown
has strengthened the hopes Of the opponents OF
an extra session It is not known however
that Ar. Teller represents entirely the attitude
or intention Of the minority in the Senate. For
instance, Senator Money. Of Mississippi. a mem
her Of the Cuban Committee. declared recently
in q Tribune interview that he would never con-
sent TO any proposition short OF an immediate
withdrawal Of our military forces from Cuba
and the turning Of the island over to the Cubans
without conditions as soon as they had adopted
their constitution and organized a government
Then, too, Messrs. Pettigrew and Butler have
YET 10 be Feekoned with. The latter is a member
Of the Committee on Relations with Cuba, and
will fight against the Platt-Spooner proposition
al the meeting Of the committee tomorrow
morning.
Mr.. Pettgrew, like Mr.. Money. has declared
IN Tribune interview that he would hlibuster
II necessary TO defeat any action on Cuba at
this session that did not direct the President to
Withdraw the troops from the island II is i'm
portant TO note, however, that a filibuster
against the proposed Platt-Spooner amendment
would seriously endanger the passage of the
Army Appropriation bill, and as this would alb
soutely make necessary an extra session il is
not considered probable that fllibuster move
ment would have much strength in the Senate
But all speculation on the question must take
into account the fact that ii is not yet officially
known what finally viii be done by the conven-
ton al Havana II is. Of course, possible that
the convention may refuse 10 offer any pro-
posals as basis for permanent relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States, and may
even refuse TO entertain any proposition on that
score from this country. This, however, is such
an extreme view Of proba biIities as to cause no
uneasiness in Washington at this time. in spite
OF ruTnors 10 the contrary from Havana. II Is
thought that # the President finally yields to
Congress he will appoint commission to at
tend 10 the details Of the work which Congress
seems determined 10 impose on him