The San Francisco call., 1898-03-06
FIRMNESS IS
 COMMENDED English Papers Approve the Course of the
 President.
Believe That Mckinley and Cabinet Are Preparing
 for the Worst.
Indications That Both the United States and Spain Confidently
 Expect a Conflict.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

LONDON, Ma1cn o.-NoW tildt llliie and opportunity for reflection have been allowed by temporary cessation of the patriotic and bellicose statements which. since the wreck of the Maine, have been the chief feature of the spe- cial cable dispatches from the United States. Englishmen are beginning to re- alize the depth of the pro-Cuban feel ing in the United States. with which the thoughtful element here cordially sympathize. although they still believe the Maine inquiry will absolve Spain from Complicity in the disaster. An impression, almost amounting to con- viction, prevails that public opinion will compel the Government of the United States to acknowledge the Gu bans as belligerents and to intervene between Spain and Cuba The very calmness and patience of the people Of the United States tends to confirm the conviction here that Americans have become aware that their Government is preparing to satisfy the country aspirations when the suspicious mo ment arrives. Every one in this coun- try acknowledges the dignity and self possession with which the Cabinet or President Mckinley has been handling this most difficult affair, and this atti-
 
 has had a great effect in influencing opinion on this side of the Atlantic.
 Americans express themselves as be- ing much gratified at the friendly at titude which the British Government has evinced toward the United States. By advice of the British Government shipbuilders and dealers in munitions of war still insist practically, upon cash payments in the case of all orders booked by Spain. It seems that the Spanish embassy, when bargaining with the shipbuilding and other firms, directly suggested that Great Britain sympathized with Spain. This came to the ears of the British Government, ana the latter lost no time in putting the firms which are in the habit Of doing Government work on their guard.
 Another rumor which has decidedly pleased the Americans was that the c oyernnnent had succeeded ir oh:ain- ing complete plans of the prlnclpal Spanish harbors and their defenSeS. In short, both Americans and English men have about concluded that the present state of affairs has been brought by President Mckinley in or der to allow the completion of prepara- lions for defense and for possible inac- tive action and few people here will be sorry when a decision is reached ana the long standing tension is ended.
 Oprators on the Stock Exchange are inclined to leave American securities alone until the crisis is settled. They burned their fingers during the past week, the net result of the see-saW movement being that London lost con- siderable to New York, and although there is no doubt as to the final out come. it is feared that the struggle will cause the trade of the United States to suffer severely. Hence the London purchases at present are not likely to be appreciable.
 An exemplification of the feeling here is contained in a long article published by the Statist. After complimenting President Mckinley, whose powers are perhaps greater than those of any European sovereign" upon having eX- hibited admirable firmness Of charac- ter" the Statist points out that how ever strong the President may be he IS finally to obey the will of the people.
 Continuing, the Statist says: It would be the grayest mistake to sup pose that because the jingoes, who have discredited themselves by reckless charges which they were unable to substantiate, have failed to move the President, public sympathy for Cubans, which is very real and very widespread, will also fail"
 The Spectator believes that both Washington and Madrid expect war without desiring it. and both are arming as rapidly as they can,' and that both are cogitatIng upon possi- ble alliances, Spain with France and Russia, and America with Japan, which wants the Philippine Islands. and can double the American fleet at a few hours notice if Russia permitted.
 The Spectator continues: Great ef- forts are being made on both sides to oa ti,,oa hU MPKinlAV hpcauSp the arsenals are not full, and by Premier Sagasta because he must elect Lib eral Parliament.
 The French Foreign Office, dreading a financial crash in Paris, is suggest ing mediation, but it will in the end make a mistake in threatening a peo- pie who, at heart, believe there is noth- ing strong in Europe except Great Britain.
 The Consul-General of Spain is re- sponSible for a curious advertisement which has appeared in the London newspapers, calling upon Spanish de- serters, fugitives and youths who have not vet drawn lots for military service, 10 come to the consulate and acQuaint themselves with an important royal de- cree of pardon which concerns them. Thus far there has been n~ response.
 The pastoral letter of Cardinal Cas- cajares, Archbishop of Valladolid, has
 
 threatening Spain by giving such a boom to Carlism, and no student of Spanish history would be surprised were an outbreak to occur shortly in the northern provinces. The text of this letter shows that 1t practically amounts to a manifesto in favor of legitimism as the sole remedy of the manifold evils existing in Spain. The Carlists are using the manifesto for all it is worth, declaring it to be one of the blackest, yet most truthful, paintings of the condition of Spain under the reign of Marie Theresa,
 The Correo, organ of the Carlists, calls the pastoral letter 'an outburst from a soldiers heart suffering the miseries of the fatherland and indig- nant at the insults offered to the Span ish flag by the North American mer- chants from the heart of an apostle filled with compassion for our brave soldiers fighting and dying without glory, the victims of treachery,' and says: The prelate clergy points out that the Carlist is the only party with the necessary cohesion, strength and faith to carry on the glorious tra- ditions of Spain."
 Even the liberal ImparciaI stoutly comments the Cardinals action.