The San Francisco call., 1898-03-31

l that the Ministry cannot act, the ceS- sion of territory can only be made by the Cortes, and the Cortes does not meet until April B. On that ground the Prime Minister will ask delay. But no such period of waiting is in the Presidents mind, unless the Queen Regent, by some proclamation, binds Spain to independence.
 Spain's threatening movement in sending more warships to the westward does not conform harmoniously with the pacific news from Madrid, and the op- tin1ism shown at the State Department does not prevail among officers of the army and navy. 1 can state on high authority that reply asking for further delay will not be satisfactory to this Government, and that an ultimatum on the independence of Cuba will be sent to Madrid on the coming of that reply, or any other that does not free Cuba
 There is to be no hesitation now. If war must come, it will come without more shifting of positions, and it will come by Monday.
 The question of hostilities at once was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. This meeting was a very long one, lasting from II o'clock till nearly ?. The question of readiness was brought up. It was considered that we were ready. Then the question of strik- ing quickly was discussed. Several members of the Cabinet were in favor of immediate action the instant 1t be- came apparent that diplomatic relations were broken-among them even the men who have refused to consider that there was probability.
 The consensus of opinion was that if Spain's reply was not satisfactory war should be declared on Saturday.
 It should be borne in mind that when this meeting was held Spain's final re- ply was expected to-day The point was made that if this country did not strike at once the torpedo fotilla would be at Cuba, and this would hamper our operations. The danger of yellow fever was pointed out, and 1t was the opinion of all that if flostiities did not begin soon all our operations around Cuba would have to be deferred until Sep tember. All this has been "ding- donged" into the ears of the Cabinet by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt of the Navy for weeks, but the impression 1t made was dulled until Congress ex- ploded on the. Presidents hands and a firm demand on Spain could be no longer delayed.
 Immediate cessation of hostilities.
 Immediate relief for reconcen- trados through the cooperation of the United States.
 Prompt withdrawal of Spanish troops and an armistice for a short period, during which time the United States will exert it's good offices in establishing an independent form of government.
 Concisely and bluntly these comprise the demands which President McKin- ley has made upon Spain. The basis and principle upon which the whole de- mand is made involves the indepen- dence of Cuba Courteous diplo- matic language has of course been used in making these representations to Spain. The President was careful in the phraseoiogy of the several commit nications which have within the last few days gone to Madrid on this subject. The most important one was the joint 1 production of the President, Former Senator Edmunds and Third Assistant | Secretary of State Adee The notec were SO framed as not to hurt the sensi- bilities of the Spanish diplomats, but at the same time to show that the President was firm in his determination that the time had now come for Spain to end the war and concede the indepen- dence of the Cubans.