The San Francisco call., 1898-03-10

NEW YORK, March s-The Herald's Washington cores + pondent telegraphs with positive * knowledge that Spain is finan- < cially unable to carry on war; * x that the powerful influence of * Great Britain is being exerted to < prevent war, and with his hands x fully strengthened to meet war < the President is more hopeful * than ever it will be avoided.
 The air in Washington to-day was surcharged with stories of various kinds as to the prospective policies Of the administration in dealing with the Cuban question, and of all sorts of for eign complications that would follow. I am unable to state, however, that the most important development of the day was one which tends toward peace rather than war. Since the Maine dis aster there have been many evidences of British official and unofficial sympa- thy with the United States, and in the light of these the visit of Sir Julian Pauncefote to the President yesterday Is of peculiar significance. Diligent tn- ouiry as to the object of this visit de- velops the fact that Queen Victoria has, through the British Ambassador, conveyed to President Mckinley her qualification at the wise and conserva- tive course which he has thus far pur- sued in relation to the Cuban and Spanish situation. She has also eX- pressed to him her thorough sympathy with the efforts put forth by the fn suffering manity in Cuba, with the hope that these .endeavors may be conducted to a successful conclusion without war.
 These expressions were not sent in official form. They would have been communicated through MT. Hay, United States Ambassador to Great Britain, but for the fact that he was absent on voyage on Tuesday night. They were. therefore, made directly to Sir Juian Pauncefote with the request that he convey them in person to the President.
 There has been no correspondence with this country upon the subject, So that the Queens sentiments do not ap- pear on record. The desire of the Queen that war should be avoided was emphasized for several reasons. It was
  tions of Great Britain with the United States were too extensive to be jeop- ardized by war in this country, and a Spanish blockade of the port of New York, for instance, it was pointed out would be of irreparable damage to Brit ish shipping, while the cessation of the shipment of supplies to England would be exceedingly serious.
 No representation of the attitude oi England in case of hostilities was con- tained in the Queens message, but the assumption seemed to be that wal would be avoided.
 The reply of the President expressed his thanks and said that he hoped il would be possible to avert war. The public announcement of the real pur pose of the visit of Sir Julian, as vel as a denial of the fact that it had re lated to the present crisis, has beer due entirely to the fear that miscon struction might be given to the incl dent It was thought that the appro val given by the Queen to the Presi dents course might displease person! of American spirit and might b, regarded as having undue weight fl infuencing the Presidents future ac ton.
 This is the question upon the answe to which will probably depend the issu of peace or war. That a demand for in demnity will undoubtedly be made al a result of the decision of the court O inquiry there is now little, if any, ques