The San Francisco call., 1898-04-02

lay before him between now and Mon . day some plan he can accept.
 President Mckinley is not yet ready to be the firm advocate of war that he promised the Congressional committee to be in case he could not accomplish the independence of Cuba. .'.. T he talk after the adjournment of the second Cabinet meeting of to-day was all in the direction of the message the President would send to Congress and of an ultinlatum.
 : The President Is temporarily crushed at the failure of all his hopes. He wants time to prepare his message. Perhaps, ia the interim, that diplomatic miracle may come to pass. =; What the President will communicate is mere conjecture at this time Some members of the Cabinet want one thing. some of the members want another. The only point that is clear is that !lav- ing crossed the Rubicon, the President has no well-dehned policy. It Is as good a guess to-day that he will recom mend the independence of Cuba as to say that he will recommend intervention. It IS equally as good a prediction to say that he will recommend further de- day as to say he will recommend a de- claration of war.
 In the meantime a more formidable movement than any yet attempted is being organized throughout the country to influence Congress on the side Of peace Evidences of 1t were to be seen on every side to-day. Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, bankers associations and business organizations generally began to pour in telegrams urging members of Congress to stand by the President in any policy he may outline. These -deprecate war As this movement has fully two days to increase in force and exert its influences before Congress reconvenes, no one can tell just what its effect will be.
 Not the slightest abatement of the feeling in Congress against Spain was noticed to-day. The impression that has gone forth from the White House, quite unintentionally, that Spain has acted contemptuously re- garding the Maine matter will not have good effect. It is over the Maine that Congress wants to fight.
 If the Maine disaster is again put into the situation many members of Con gress declare that the situation will be- come worse than ever Until Spain apol- ogizes or disavows or in some way vim dicates the confidence that the President in his message reposed in Spanish honor, the danger of an explosion will constantly impend in Congress-
 The drift of conservative members is toward declaration of war A great international intrigue of fnanciers is also introduced into the situation Hold CTS of bonds of the Cuban republic, who bought as low as 10 cents and expect to sell at dollar, want the independence of Cuba recognized by Congress. This will enhance the price of the bonds. They do not want armed intervention by tllC .Oii OtdlSS, DCNduSC.. llSIt would be constant danger of annexa- ton, and at annexation the bonds would immediately become worthless.
 On the other hand, the holders of Spanish-Cuban bonds do not want any thing done. They do not want inter vention, They give out the impression that when Spain loses. Cuba the war debt of S45o,ooo, 900 is entirely wiped out
 Both these elements are represented here and their agents are at work in Congress, around the administration everywhere.
 An important fact that. developed to- day is:that hereafter the question of our lack of preparation for war will not enter into the argument as to whether we shall have war or not. When [ member of the. Cabinet was asked about our readiness, he replied:
 .,"We are as ready as we ever shall be-"
 Immediately after the Cabinet meet. ing to-day Judge Day issued state ment giving the substance of Spain's reply to McKinley's proposition, as sent by Woodford: The statement is as follows:
 He: informs the. Government of the United. States that General .Blanco has revoked the decree relating to. the re concentrados in the western provinces