The San Francisco call., 1898-03-26

O e e C Q c q q c e e Q q q q e 2 z e when the Senate comes to consider ac- t,,aI war over the Maine affair and faces the personal responsibility for declar- ing war not more than ten members will be willing to leap.
 But what of the House Of Represen- tatives? This is the body that Speaker Reed has been holding in the hollow of his hand. No one until to-day thought that the Speaker would have the slightest trouble in restraining that body. Now stories are afloat that there is just restiveness among large num- Der of Representatives and that they want war at once The Speaker yet feels that he will be equal to the oc- casion. The announcement was made to-day that he Is moie opposed than ever to war with Spain and that il nec- essary he would take the floor and, par adoxical as it may seem, fight for peace as he never fought for anything before in his life.
 Ominous things, however. have been happening to-day, only half concealed by these elaborate arrangements for peace. The President Is for peace, but to-day between the first meeting of the Cabinet and the second meeting, an order was issued by the Navy Depart ment for all warships to be painted black Black Is the war color. All our gun boats. cruisers, monitors and battleships are painted white and easily visible to an enemy.
 Not only the President. but the Cabi- net Is for peace, but to-day at the Cab inet meeting, on advices from Madrid. a proposition was discussed to have our war vessels intercept the Spanish tor pedo hotila at St Thomas and either turn 1t back or destroy 1t.
 In addition to the President and Cab inet, the Vice-President is for peace, but to-day the flying squadron at Hamp- ton Roads was officially recognized in orders, and Commander w. $. Schley takes command on Monday.
 For peace, too, are Speaker Reed and such influential Senators as German, Gray, Allison, Hale and Hanna. but to- day the Cabinet received information about Spanish finances. which indicates that Spain is much more likely to go to war than any one in the administration thought. The impression has been that Spanish bonds are largely held through out Europe. The information given the Cabinet to-day was that about So per cent of Spanish bonds are held by Span iards This, of course, Tn a measure re- moves the likelihood ot intervention be- tween Spain and the United States by some other power. But 1t also lessens the likelihod that Spain will be re- strained by her creditors.
 The administration was also informed that the Spanish debt is $1,7oo, ,ooo, ,ooo, and the revenues fall about $25 5,ooo,ooo short of paying the interest. The Gov ernment has no information about the loan that Spain is reported to have ne gotiated with the Bank of Spain for $4o,ooo,ooo. Ii this be true. and 1t is accepted as a fact, then 1t Is regarded that Spain has procured this money for war preparations.
 With information of this sort leaking out, and stories, ten times more lurid flying everywhere, and eagerly accepted, what wonder is 1t that the war spirit is running bankful, like the Ohio River The hotel corridors are crowded to- night, and there IS but one topic Ev- erybody is talking of the outcome of the Maine report.
 In the corridors tonight member of the Republican National Committee said the President would be forced to act in favor of a war policy.
 If he does not do so" said this man, there will be no Republican party left No one can get to the President to tell him the truth, but if we do not declare against Spain I'll tell you what will happen. Fitzhugh Lee will resign in ten days. He will lay the whole thing bare. He will become a popular idol, and be elected President"
 On the other hand, General Long, street, the most conspicuous soldier on either side, serving in the late war, said: "No one wants war unless 1t becomes our duty to go to war. don't want war unless we have to fight. know what war is We can do far bet ter with Spain as our friend than with Spain as our enemy. l feel that the sit uation is in wise hands. believe the President will avoid war with honor to America.