The San Francisco call., 1898-04-01
Alleged Reply to an Ultimatum Received From Minister
 WOOdfOrd.
While the Madrid Government Is Pretending to Make Reforms by Releasing Starving Reconcentrados Hostilites
 Grow Nearer.
Grow Nearer.

will not agree to an arnistice The third commits Spain at the outset to the independence of Cuba and the re- moval of the Spanish flag from the island It was probably in reply to an inquiry from Spain about the third proposition, whether the independence of Cuba was requisite?" that the answer Yes was sent yesterday.
 Senor Polo Bernabe stated officially in conversation to-day that he did not believe Spain would consent to our de- mands. Representatives of all foreign Governments here cabied their home office to-day that the outlook was far more serious than at any time during the pendency of the Cuban question. Most ominous was the statement made by the President. to the Congress sional committee late this afternoon. He said that Spain had been informed that Congress would not consent to anything short of the absolute indepen- dence of C1Del Two Scontirpencies might arise Either Spain would reject the proposition of the United States, in which case he would immediately com municate with Congress. or Spain might ask for further delay and notifications, in which event he would want twenty four hours further time to break off diplomatic negotiations.
 There has been much more of the warlike talk than ever It is all over Washington, and 1t comes. from conser- vative sources. The suggestion is thrown out that men in close touch with the President are talking in this manner for moral effect on Spain. While Spain is hesitating 1t would be wise to let her know just how serious the situation is. The effect of Secretary Cages predic- ton and General Grosvenor's outburst when cabled to Madrid. would be to show Spain the full responsibility she may take In other words, to convince her that the Government of this country is not trifing and that the independence of Cuba must be assured or we will pro- ceed with armed intervention. The speech of Grosvenor was exactly in line with what the President to-day told the committee of eleven appointed by the Republicans in the House who favor armed intervention to expel Spain from Cuba The President is most persuasive and convincing. He persuaded the com mittee to report to the caucus that all action ought to be deferred until Mon day, and he convinced 1t that measures would be taken on Monday to secure the results they were aiming at if they had not been by that time conceded by Spain So the committee went away fire the train of gunpowder until Mon day
 Into the situation at any time may ap- pear proffered mediation of other pow CTS The Herald on Wednesday pointed ou, that France stood ready to use her good offices. She still does, but an in- vitatipn must come either from the United States, Spain or Cuba. The statement that her mediation had been rendered unohicially is tommy rot
 Germany, Great Britain and Austria also stand in the same attitude. The United States will not accept the media ton of any foreign power, but it is ex- pected that Spain may soon ask France to give an opinion as to what should be done with Cuba In that event Spain might be willing to do or the suggestion of France what she will not do under stress of our demands. It is believed here that at the critical minute when re- lations between the countries have reached cracking point several Euro pean powers will urge Spain to make further concessions.
 It was said at one of the European embassies to-day that our requests ot Spain were such that she could not ac- cept them unless middle ground is found Spain, in the opinion of foreign diplomats, must fight In proof that she expects to fight these diplomats point to her massing her fleet in the direction of Cuba, and the letter of the Queen Regent appealing to other European soyereigns for sympathy, and the sud den change of policy in Cuba. This