The San Francisco call., 1898-04-03
! Agents to close their offices and pro
 ceed at once to Havana.


 Agents to close their offices and pro- ceed at once to Havana.
 Arrangements have also been made for their safe conduct to the United States as soon as it IS definitely settled that hostllities are to commence. Min lster Woodford and all of our Consuls Tn Spain have also been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for a hur- ried recall
 As far as the Presidents policy can be definitely stated, it is his purpose that Spain should be first to make the declaration of war. His message to Congress and the action of that body may furnish the provo cation, but he still insists that the first declaration Of war should come from Spain.
 He has lingering hope that Spain may yet find some way of complying with our demands, therefore, 1t is not hls intention to recall Minister Wood ford until the last moment. No ad- vance will be made from this side in the direction of reopening negotiations, and from the way Minister Polo talked at the Spanish legation to-day Spain has given her final answer. Yet it is known. here that France and Great Britain as Governments, and the fnancial repre- sentatVes of those two countries con trolling the Spanish debt, are bringing pressure to bear upon Spain for the purpose of having the Madrid Govern ment take action at once toward con ceding the independence of Cuba. The authorities here are in a passive frame of mind and would willingly take up negotiations with Spain again if the motion came from the other side. They will not, however, voluntarily resume diplomatic negotiations regarding the general Cuban question.
 They abandoned the idea of sub hitting an ultimatum, which seemed to be the purpose last night, because they had a faint suspicion that if this were not done Spain would again approach us.
 It was whispered in diplomatic circles to-day that Spain was endeavoring to enlist the good offices of some friendly European power for the purpose of arranging terms of peace between Spain and the Cuban insurgents independently of the United States In a recent in terview in the Herald Senor Moret in timated that the independence of Cuba might be brought about through the medium of diplomacy, but that some other power than the United States would have to serve as mediator
 France, it is we'll known, is most anxious to avert war between Spain and the United States, and has unoffi- cially intimated that its good offices would be promptly given if requested by either of the parties concerned. It is not likely, however, that France would attempt to mediate between Spain and the insurgents without the consent of the United States, and this will certainly not be given. Mediation by any European power is entirely out of the question.
 The administration knows perfect ly we'll that Congress would not con- sent to foreign mediation, and al- though anxious for peace, would not entertain a proposition of this kind in the face of the attitude of Congress and of public sentiment.
 The action of the German Govern mentin pressing its Cuban claim against Spaln at the present time is thought by State Department officials to be very significant, if true Up to this time the department has not had any authentic information showing that Germany con- templates making such a move If she does 1t evidently means, in the opinion ot authorities, that Germany is prepar- ing. tor a vigorous controversy with the United States over the Monroe doctrine III Its application to the Cuban problem
 
 ACCUSES BRANN'S MANAGER.