The San Francisco call., 1898-04-10

Spain's terms, is to cover a period ot six months, during which the Cubans will have an opportunity of deciding. through the medium of the ballot-boX. the kind of government they want, ana that Spain will even go to the extent of considering a proposition from them for their complete independence on an indemnity basis.
 I am told from the same source that negotiations are being conducted Tn Washington with the representatives of the Cuban republic with a view to pro curing their consent to the proposed ar mistice. It is also stated that the in- fuence of the Pope IS being strongly exerted with the Cubans in the held. but up to this time 1t has not developed that any of the Cubans authorized to speak have given their consent to the proposed arnlistice.
 The opinion that they may do so IS entertained only by the representatives of the powers, which have prevailed on Spain to grant the proposed armis-
 
 tice.
 The prevailing opinion among Washington officials is that the pro- posed decree is only a scheme for further delay and in the nature of a diplomatic trick to force the United States into the position of making an unjustifiable war.
 The presence of Senator Elkins and Colonel J. J. McCook at the White House tonight is known to have some connection with the proposed new ar mistice. They are important factors Tn the unofficial negotiation which are going on in the struggle to avert war and to secure the independence ot Cuba through the medium ot an indemnity, 1 am told that both of these gentlemen are very optimistic in their views to- night. They consider that peace IS now practically assured.
 War clouds still hover over the White House, despite the efforts of foreign and domestic peacemakers. The course of the administration is set in the direction of policy which every citizen can indorse and every civilized nation of the world will sanction when it is thoroughly un- derstood.
 There was nothing very warlike to the throngS of sightseers who clustered about the executive mansion all day. but upstairs in the Presidents library all the horrors of war were discussed and the responsibilities resting upon the administration in the present crisis were fully considered. Judge Day was called to the White House early in the day. He was the bearer of cablegram from Minister Woodford giving a brief out line Of the general situation in Madrid. Minister Woodford made. no allusion i'll his first dispatch to the arrnistice. ex- cept to state the current gossip at the Spanish capital on that subject. A cable came from Minister Woodford later in the day stating that an armistice would be proclaimed tomorrow.
 Judge Day also had cablegram from SO0Sul-Gen6Tdl Lee at Havana an- nouncing his readiness to depart from Key West during the afternoon.
 While Judge Day was engaged with the President Senators Hanna, Elkins and Aldrich called to participatc in the long conference that took place in the library. Rumors were immediately cir culated that some definite information bearing upon the armistice had arrived and was being considered by the Presi- dent and his advisers. It is well known that Senator Hanna still hopes for a peaceful solution of the problem, and that Senator Elkins has been the bearer of numerous messages of a peaceful na- ture emanating from Rome. Senator Aldrich was until few days ago one of the stanchest members of the peace party, but is believed to be thoroughly convinced now that war Is inevitable unless the Spanish flag IS removed from the island Of Cuba.
 While gossips were trying to fathom the mysterious conference in the library several Senators, Representatives and other official visitors were anxiously