The San Francisco call., 1898-04-22

ter Woodfo~d by giving him his pass ports without permitting him to deliver this country's ultimatum, Senator Platt, in his quiet, easy style, related the substance of Minister Woodfords s dispatch with the same calmness he would display in manipulating a Re- publican convention in the State of New York. There was no trace of anxiety or warlike indignation when he remarked: They have given Wood ford his passports, which is practically a declaration of war by Spain.
 Senators Davis and Lodge confirmed the statement of Platt, and Senator Cullom, in burst of indignation, de- clared: This is another instance of Spanish treachery which they will call sharp diplomatic practice. It is as much an insult to this Government as if the Spanish Government had torn down our flag and spit upon it. It can- not be regarded as anything else than a declaration of war, and, for my part, l think the time has come to teach her that she cannot insult the United States any further with impunity. fear we have been too polite in our dealings with Spain, and her conduct toward Minister Woodford will con- vince even the most peacefully inclined Americans that the hour for aggres Sive action has come.'
 It took but little time for the real significance of the Spanish action to become known abroad. At the White House, at the State, War and Navy Departments and throughout the city generally the news spread like prairie fire before a windstorm. All of the Senators and Representatives who saw the President this morning concurred in the opinion that Spain was guilty of direct insult to this Government which could not be construed otherwise n .%s d 1.1n,-. N,o,, <fr The indignities heaped upon Minister Woodford and the reported movement of the Spanish squadron convinced the Presidents advisers that the time for retaliation had arrived. pe was ad- vised to order our warshjLs to Havana without further delay, and the Presi- dent, inspired by the consciousness of the high duty devolved upon him, con- cluded to take that advice. He promptly summoned the Secretary of the Navy. Secretary Long hurried over to the White House, accompanied by his naval aid, Captain Barker It was decided that the situation warranted the calling of special Cabinet meet ing, and messengers were dispatched notifying the various Cabinet officers that their presence was desired at the White House at 1 o'clock. The text of the ultimatum and the official state ment from Woodford was promulgated at the State Department.
 Just before the special Cabinet meet ing assembled the great surprise of the day was announced. It was a break in the Cabinet. Postmaster General Gary, without suggestion or word of warning to the public, rendered his resignation as a member of the Presl- dents official family. The nomination of MT. Charles Emory Smith of Phila- delphia was sent to the Senate to fill the vacancy.
 The Cabinet was in session nearly two hours. During it's ser -ion General Miles, commanding general of the army, and Captain Crowninshield of the navy, who is the actual command ing officer of the naval forces, were summoned to the White House. It was decided that orders should be at once issued to the fleet and to the land forces.
 The question whether a formal decla- ration of war by Congress was neces- sary was fully considered. The general opinion of the Cabinet was that the Spanish had practically declared war against the United States and there fore this Government was released from any friendly obligations to that nation.
 Secretary Alger stated after the Cabi- net meeting that the action of Spain could not be regarded other than as declaration of war, and he added: "I am going back to the War Department to issue the necessary orders to employ our land forces. 2 -ainst Spain.'
 Secretary Long also regarded the ac- tion of the Spanish Government as declaration of war and he stated that he would order the fleet at Key West to move on Havana at once
 Judge Day " a little more guarded