The San Francisco call., 1898-04-02

NEW YORK, April I.-The Hera1d's. s.' Washington correspondent telegraphs: If the days of diplomatic miracles be passed, then war with Spain will surely come. The feeling in Washington to- night is that only the unexpected :can prevent hostilities. The Mckinley ul- timatum to Spain is the next step ex- pected. That ultirnatum will probably go to Madrid tomorrow Then it. is but one short stride to war.
 . The plain truth is that the peace ful negotiations of General Woodford, Minister to Spain, have utterly failed. "
 Spain will not recognize the right of the United States peacefully to secure the independence of Cuba and will make no concessions. Spain has embarrassed this Government by accepting portion of the. propositions which 1t made. strange as that may sound Unfortu- nately, it is that portion upon which President Mckinley has laid most stress but about which Congress cares least that is the release and feeding of the reconcentrados.
 Spain has also intensified the sit uation by treating our representa- tions about the Maine almost with what is described as "frivolity."
 The Spanish Government adheres to it's original claim that the Maine blew herself up through the carelessness of: her crew. It will not recognize that 1t is under any obligations other than to apologize or offer indemnity. : In addition to this, the Cabinet be- lieves that the reply of Spain, sent through Minister Woodford, regarding the situation, consists of evasions and diplomatic sharp practice, and is utter ly lacking in that frankness and cor .diality with which this Government ap- preached Madrid.
 : Two Cabinet meetings have been held and the President has been in consul tation. with Speaker Reed of the House and number of prominent Senators.
 The President seems to be almost dazed by the situation. He is no longer an optimist. He sees no way out but war, and he is as reluctant as ever to engage in war with na- tion so small and lilly prepared for war as Spain. He is .:indisposed to take the initiative, to fire the first shot.
 The President, however, realizes that something must be done very soon Doubt expressed by naval experts as to whether the President realizes the great disadvantage of the position into which this country is rapidly drifting Spain has succeeded, so far, through diplomatic negotiations in delaying in tervention until that. torpedo boat fo- tilla is actually in the Antilles. Naval calculations have all been knocked out The Navy Department figured 1t all out that the hotilla would be at St. Thomas on April 3, and at Porto Rico on April $ or 6. But while the President has hesitated and Spain has delayed the tor pedo hotilla has been speeding across the Atlantic and is tonight anchored. in the Spanish port.
 The departure of the Vizcaya and oquendo from Havana to-day, pre- sumably to form conjunction with the torpedo fotilla, has driven the Navy Department almost wild. The arrival of the fotilla at Porto Rico will complete the work of agitation.
 As. matter of fact. the Cabinet to- day actually ignored the naval stra- tegic board on two important and war like propositions. This bureau has in its hands the Navy Departments plan of defense and nffense Three of its mem