The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
Call Office. Riggs House,

. ing war against Spain will be in C c troduced in the Congress of the c c United States tomorrow. The c c decision to do so has been reach . c ed after mature deliberation. All c c the arguments pro and con were = c discussed this afternoon at the C c White House at a conference in c c which President Mckinley, At . . tOrney- General Griggs, Assis- c c tant Secretary Day and Sena- . c tors Davis and Hale partici- c C pated, and on its breaking up . c the announcement was made c c that Cong ss tomorrow would . . be asked to declare what it is . C held already exists. .
 This was the most important Wash ington development on the first war Sunday. The President will send a message to Congress tomorrow to be delivered immediately after it's con- vening, setting forth the facts in the case, and asking Congress to formally declare war, in order that there may be no misunderstanding on the part of other nations.
 The most important point in the mes sage from a news point of view will be the announcement that Spain has made formal reply to our ultimatum. This reply has not been given to the public, and it was supposed that none had been reached. The document is a formal acknowledgment by Spain, and is an acceptance by that country of the uItlmatum as virtual declaration of war. Congress will therefore be asked to recognize this condition of affairs, and declare it to the world, using Spain's concession as reason for it.
 The war resolution has been pre- pared, and it is understood that the two committees having charge of the foreign affairs for the two houses of Congress will be prepared to report on 1t very ShOrtly-probably immediately after the reading of the message. An effort will then be made to have the resolution taken up and passed forth with, and it is not now believed that there will be any formidable opposition to this course in either House.
 Otherwise the news of the day here related almost entirely to the execution of plans hitherto expected.
 For the President and his Cabinet officials Sunday passed quietly and un- eventually. Secretary Alger took his daughter to the White House during the morning, and she Tn company with the President, attended divine services at the Metropolitan Methodist Church, Secretary. Alger going to a Presbyter- ian church. Secretary and Mrs. Gage also drove to the White House and accompanied the President and Miss Alger to the Metropolitan. Mrs. Me Kinley has not yet returned from her trip to New York City
 General Corbin and Secretary Alger conferred during the afternoon respect ing the arrangements fer calling on the Governors of the States and Territories for the quota of troops they are to fur nish under the Presidents proclama- tion asking for 125,OO0 men. The num- Der of men in each branch of the serv- 1ce-infantry, cavalry and artillery remains to be settled, besides many other matters of detail.
 In the State, War and Navy Depart ments many of the officials were at their desks directing the execution of policies heretofore determined upon Neither Secretary Alger nor Secretary Long was on hand, but Assistant Sec retary Meiklejohn and Assistant Sec retary Roosevelt were on duty for sev- eral hours. MT. Meiklejohn has d. ready received a large number of ap- plicationS from newspapers to permit their representatives to accompany the army but, as stated in the circular issued yesterday, the number to be ac- corded the privilege will be limited Assistant Secretary Day is busily en- gagged in making the general .prepara- tion for the transportation of troops overland and also to Cuba. for which a large number of vessels will be char tered.
 In the quartermaster's office nearly the whole clerical force was on hand The details are far from complete, but the quartermaster-g general believes everything will be in readiness by the time the troops are ready to move. It may be that the railroad arrangements for the transfer of troops overland will be left to the immediate charge of the quartermasters of the various army departments, who are fully acquainted with the facilities at hand for doing this work. Some understanding with the railroads on the basis of uniform rates of travel will be arranged if pos Sible, so that the soldiers may be sent by the shortest possible route with the least charge to the Government. Cues tions of equipment of the troops with uniforms and tents also are to be set tied, although many of the State or ganizations are prepared in this re- spect The department has a number of branches in which tents, uniforms etc, are manufactured, but it will be compelled to rely on the service of out side firms to meet the present demands
 It is said at the Naval Department that all the militia which will be used in the deep sea patrol vessels already has been ordered to them. Those re- maining will be utilized in manning the signal stations along the coast and the vessels of the close-shore auxiliary fleet.
 Commander Richardson Glover eX- poets that the gunboat Bancroft, which he is to command, and which is now undergoing repairs at Brooklyn, will sail for Norfolk within a few days to take on her ammunition. The proba bility is that the vessel will then be sent to join Admiral Sampson's fleet.
 It is said to be definitely settled that Captain Albert E. s. Barker, member of the joint army and navy defense plan board, will command the protect ed cruiser Newark, now fitting out at Norfolk She will be ready for service some time In May.
 Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to-day announced that the Government had purchased the steamer yacht Aliene for the navy. This %essel, so like many
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