New-York tribune., 1901-02-18
EXTRA SESSION IN DOUBT.
LEADERS STILL PROFESS TO BELIEVE
1T CAN BE AvOIDED-TO POSTPONE
ACTION on CUBAN QUESTIONS
ITNTII. DECEMBER.
UNTIL DECEMBER.
lsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


dents repeated statements in the last few DAY 5
to various ones OF his callers that he regards
an extra session as almost unavoidable, the
majority Of the leaders in both the Senate and
House persist in the professed belief that the
new Congress will not be called together Two
weeks ago il seemed not improbable that the
Congress influences uncompromisingiy OPP
posed TO an extra session would triumph
through the expedient Of adopting resolution
defining this Governments Cuban policy and
empowering the President 10 negotiate a settle
ment OF the terms upon which are to be based
the permanent relations between the United
States and Cuba.
But even this prospect OF staving OF an extra
session apparently has been destroyed by the
announced determination of the Democrats and
their PopuIist allies in the Senate successfully
TO hlibuster against the adoption of the pro-
posed resolution as they have thbustered
against the Shipping bill until that measure now
seems 10 stand poor show Of passage at this
session. Several days ago Senator PettigreW
told The Tribune correspondent that he WOald
talk TO death any proposition advanced ny the
Republicans at this session 10 deal with the
Cuban question. unless that proposition was IN
the form of a demand upon the President 10
withdraw Immediately the United States troops
from Cuba and turn the island over completely
stitution and organized government OF theH
own.
There is of course no likelihood that the Re-
publican leaders would support such PROPOSE
tiOn as would be favored by Senator PettlsreW'
because that would lead 10 violation OF TINS
countrys pledge. and cowardly repudiatl'h oi
It's obligations by precipitating conditl"n OF
anarchy in Cuba the ultimate consequences OF
which might get the United States into worse
form OF trouble over Cuba than was even the
war with Spain. Senator Teller. the author of
the resolution which bears his name in the
declaration OF war with Spain, and upon which
the opponents OF the Government are hasins
their antagonism 10 any programme looking to
a speedy settlement of affairs In Cuba except
upon terms to be prescribed by them, formally
gave notice in the Senate Friday Of his in
tention 10 make a long speech. which is inter
preted 20 mean that he has agreed TO lead the
ilibustering against the action at this session
which was proposed few weeks ago by the he
publican members Of the Cuban Committee.
But even these signs OF fixed and unyieldins
determination on the part OF the Senate Demo
Gratis and Populists 20 prevent action on cuba
do not seem TO dishearten the opponents OF an
extra session Their contention that a way will
be provided 10 avoid an extra session is thought
20 be founded upon some new and practical
method of so dealing with the Cuban question
within the next two weeks 10 postpone final
action 20 the regular meeting Of Congress next
December At the same time the President Is
Vet firm IN his belief that extra session will
he necessary. as he is also firm in his intention
20 have Congress assume its proper share Of
responsibility In the final determination of
Cubas status.
As announced by The Tribune last week IL
il thought that special committee Of the
Cuban Constitutional Convention will visit
Washington soon. with full authority 70 deal
with this Government They will come in
s,ructed and fully empowered 10 inform the
authorities here Just what cuba IS willing 70
do in tb. inportant matter of establishing re-
iations with the United States. Whether or not
their PROPOSITIONS will meet the demands OF this
Government Is not known, though It is expected
that definite Information on this point will be
received in a day or two from Governor-Cieneral
Wood al Havana General Wood. as already
cabled from Havana. has been IN conference
NTH a committee OF the Constitutional Conven-
lion. and II Is presumed that the delegates with
whom he has been comforting are the ones who
will come 10 Washington. II this proves 20 oe
the case there is good reason 10 believe that
they viii come with much more liberal terms
than the Cubans at first seemed inclined To
grant.
II is considered as bare possibility that this
NAV provide "A way out OF the necessity for an
extra session though this vague supposition Is
negatived by the threats of the minority IN the
Senate to hHbuster against any action on
C-uba AZ this session which does not follow the
lines laid down by the Telerites. OF course, "
the Cubans should thus voluntarily meet the
requirements Of the situation, very consldera-
bI. obstacle in the way of an early ana mu-
tua1ly satisfactory solution OF the veNlng ques-
t!On would be removed. so far as the freSidehl
and the Republican leaders are concerned But
even then the stubborn Ohstructtonists IN the
- nate could block all action at this session.
and the cause for an extra session which now
appears So obvious 20 the President would re-
main.
StIIl il should be borne IN mind that the
ablest Republican leaders in Congress are now
earnestly and energetcally engaged in the task
OF devising satisfactory and comprehen-
sive plan 10 arrange affairs that the Prest-
dent will he relieved of the necessity OF calling
an extra session. II they fail 70 do this the
President probably will call the new Congress
together by the middle of March.
SENATORS CONFER WITH PRESIDENT.