The San Francisco call., 1898-03-26
Call Office, Riggs House,

w IOll, b1ci Ci -O
 In spite of the assurances given by a member of the Cabinet tonight that there are no unusual or startling de- velopments in the Cuban situation, it is known that the President and his Cab- inet regard the situation as graver than it has been at any time.
 The Naval Courts report of an out side explosion by submarine mine and that the responsibility cannot be fixed was discounted some time ago, and 1t was predicted here that no demand for indemnity would be made unless it ap- peared conclusively that the Spanish Government was grossly negligent. Nevertheless the testimony itself as re- viewed by President Mckinley and his Cabinet to-day is calculated to create a sensation when it is transmitted to Congress. The Naval Court states posi- lively that the vessel was destroyed py an outside explosion (probably mine), but does not attempt to locate the responsibility.
 But the testimony of divers and other witnesses examined by the court IS said to be startling, and leads to the 1neV- itable conclusion that spanish otncerS must have had some knowledge or de- sign to destroy the Maine, althougn
  pants It is considered impossible that such a terrible engine of destruction could have been placed under the vessel and in such close proximity to the Spanish warship Alphonso XII without the officers of that vessel being aware of these operations.
 The evidence tends to convict the Spanish officers aboard the Alphonse XII and on shore of gross and crlm- inal negligence. The President ana Cabinet some time ago agreed with h. J. Phelps, ex- Minister to England, that no demand for indemnity would be valid unless the participation or span ish officers was proved or unless there appeared to be gross negligence on their part The President and his Cab inet are apprehenSiVe that when the evidence is read in the Senate and House Congress can no longer De restrained
 Ex-Senator Edmunds was in consul tation with President Mckinley for two hours this evening. He discussed the report from a judicial standpoint, and his opinions are known to be con sdered highly important by the Presi- dent, as he has been opposed to war from the first. From the fact that the President consulted with MT. EdmundS it is believed that he is yet considering Spains culpability for the disaster or her liability for indemnity.
 It is believed tonight that in view of the sensational testimony taken by the court and notwithstanding the courts failure to fix the responsibility Presi- dent Mckinley, fearful of radical ac- tion by Congress, may yet be forced to make an immediate demand upon Spain for reparation. For the past few days it has been thought he might waive his demand for money indem- nity and propose merely policy of peaceful intervention" by sending food and supplies to the suffering Gu bans, but this plan might be changed. No decision will be reached, however, until all of the evidence has been care fully reviewed by the President. He will devote all of tomorrow and Sun day to this and it is expected that the evidence and report of the court will be printed at the Government Printing Office in time for distribution to Con- gress on Monday or Tuesday.
 The war feeling is intense tonight. Crowds gathered tonight at all the leading hotels, eagerly discussing the exciting and important news of the day, and at the principal clubs, notably at the Army and Navy, jealous off cers of both arms of the service talked enthusiastically of the possibilities of active participation in war. Nowhere