The San Francisco call., 1898-03-31

dence when order has been restored and sufficient time allowed for the formation of a new government. Congress. how ever, seems to demand recognition of independence al. once and an armistice to come afterward Independence only guaranteed, however, there will prob ably be little trouble about agreeing to an armistice pending the organization of the new government. Although the authorities are not saying much on the subject, 1t is well known that one of the leading propositions before the Sa- gasta Ministry involves the question of the purchase by the Cubans of their in dependence.
 It is known that all the moneyed in terests of Europe are working on Spain to have her accept the proposition for the sale of Cuba, and that the financial inter ests here are at work with the repre- sentatives of the Cuban republic for the purpose of effecting an agreement on a financial basis.
 At Madrid there is a pause. Sagasta asked for twenty-four hours of time and got it. Madrid has also got definite statement that the concession of the in dependence of Cuba can prevent inter vention and that nothing else can.
 When diplomacy gets that far 1t is only step to an ultimatum. In this case it is only twenty-four hours to an ultimatum.
 While Madrid pauses the President and Congress are fully prepared for ac- ton, at last happily together. Two cables came from Minister Woodford to The State Department last night. The first said that the Spanish Council had asked for twenty-four hours time in which to consider the representations which the United States had made re- garding Cuba and the Maine. Would that time be granted? The reply to this inquiry was "Yes"
 The second cable was for further in- formation. Spain desired to know whether 1t was to understand that the concession of the independence of Cuba was a prerequisite and an essential to the granting of our desires about the island. To this interrogatory the an- .Bwer was also "Yes."
 The first question explained the sec ond. Spain had not realized that the President was in a hurry until Minister Woodford presented an urgent cable requesting immediate information as to Spain's willingness to comply with his wishes. Then Sagasta saw that he was confronted with the necessity for prompt action on momentous questions which he had hoped to consider at his leisure
 So he asked for time, and then asked definitely as to whether the meeting of the question of the free dom of Cuba was regarded as urgent and pressing by Washington. He now knows they are ominously urg- ent, feverishly pressing.
 At the White House and at the State Department there is general air of sprightliness which suggests unbounded confidence that when the Sagasta Min istry sends its reply at the end of the fateful twenty-four hours it will be in compliance with the administrations de- sires. Minister Woodford has been sending roseate opinions as to the pros poets.
 There is skepticism everywhere else as to the likelihood of Spain entering into definite agreement at this time to give Cuba independence. It is believed that Spain will submit a counter propo- sition embodying an armistice until Oc- tober, during which negotiations for the independence of Cuba or for more liberal government can be conducted, and conceding our right to feed the re- concentrates. Spain is expected to say