The San Francisco call., 1898-02-25
WAR SEEMS
 INEVITABLE Congress Grows Grave in Discussing the Maine
 Disaster. They Believe That Money Can not Wipe Out Spain's
 Treachery. The Chances Are That the Castilians Will Soon Be Fighting With
 Americans
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House, Washington, Feb. 24.

Washington, Feb. 24.
 Senators are beginning to discuss what would be the proper means for a settlement with Spain on account o1 the destruction of the Maine, it being now universally conceded that that vessel went to the bottom through a blow from the outside.
 The war feeling is running high, and if the board of inquiry shows that the accident theory is untenable sensa- tional developments may be expected.
 "If the destruction of the battle-ship should be due to an outside attack do not see how the matter can be set tied by the payment of money" said Senator Gallinger.
 For my part said Senator Kyle, ''I should be unwilling to see this affair compromised by the payment of money. It is one of those great calamities that cannot be wiped out by the pay ment of dollars and cents.''
 T do not care to discuss the ques- tion,'' said Senator Cullom, until we have the report of the court. The situ- ation is decidedly grave, and I am in- clined to anticipate the worst possible results
 Senator Harris booked for dis avowal should the report of the court be againt the accident theory.
 "If Spain, under such conditions manded, far more serious results would follow" he said.
 "If,'' said Senator Money, "the Maine was blown up without any col fusion on the part of the Spanish off, cers, a demand should be made to Spain for an indemnity for the loss of the battle-ship and damages for the lives of the men. Even if the expl6- sion came from a submerged mine of the Government itself, and the Gov ernment disavowed it, it is my opinion that damages only and an apology could be demanded. Under such cir cumstances, grave as they might be, there would hardly be cause for war, for this Government would be com pelled to accept the Spanish disa- vowal. But I do not think Spain will do anything. She will not apologize, and the chances are that we shall go to fighting
 On the House side the dispatches printed to-day detailing the serious conditions existing in Cuba were read eagerly and the general comment was that they merely strengthened the be- lief formed already that war was now inevitable unless Spain evinceS the greatest cowardice.
 MT. Barlow of California said to- night: Tt seems to me that treachery existed, and that when it has been of- ficially exposed and the Maine disas- ter traced directly to it and proven without a shadow of doubt, war must immediately follow"
 MT. Richardson of Tennessee said: 'If the report of the court of inquiry confirms the press dispatches, the country will be on fire; resolutions everywhere urging war will be adopted and Congress will wait for some action by the President. Congress, of course. can at any time declare war, but the Republican members of the House would prevent such action unless as a last resource it should be recommended by the President"
 MT. Cookery of Missouri said that he believed the administration would first enter into diplomatic correspond ence before reaching the ultimatum of war. If the dignity of the country could not be upheld by diplomacy war would follow.
 Judge Mcguire and Senator Perkins merely said that the situation is very grave indeed.