The San Francisco call., 1898-03-08
THE MENACE OF WAR.

TT HE widespread belief that with the passage ol time the danger of with Spain arising out
 of the destruction of the Maine would pass with the passing of the popular excitement caused by the has proved deceptive The tension of the crisis has increased rather than diminished, and the proba- bty of war was never more menacing than now.
 Ii Is clear that the issue of the event IS not wholly in the hands of the Government at Washington, nor Is to be determined by the will of the American people. The Government at Madrid is to be taken into account potent factor in the problem, and the populace of Spain will have as much to do in shaping the result the citizens of the United States It is this fact that darken the horizon and adds pexity to the problem for if the Spanards be mad enough to provoke 1t will be impossible for cv,n the most skillful diplomat to prevent it.
 Under these circumstances the attitude assumed by the Spanish toward our Government in its relations to affairs in Cuba most important feature Of the situation. If the Madrid Government showed itself friendly conciliatory and eager assist in seek ing cut the of the destruction of the Maine the outlook for the continuance of peace would be clear and bright. Unfortunately the Spanish Government has taken quite different position. It has chosen this time of all times since the outbreak of the Cuban war to ask the recall of Consul General Lee, and this can be hardly anything else than an intentional pression of hostility and dstrust
 The right of Spain to object to the choice of any particular to serve American representative as Minister her court as Consul in any of her cities cannot be doubted That right is firmly enl- bedded in reason and in international law. It is therefore not the act of objection itself, but the time of making 1t, that IS the important element n the case Surely If Spain desires peace she would Ill this emergency strain point to preserve peace, and not needlessy add cause of discontent to the con troversy.
 There are thousand reasons why Spain should keep peace with the United States, and not why she should go war, but that fact does not affect the situation It is useless to talk of to people who have thrown to the winds. It was known of old and said, Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad" and that curse seems now to have fallen upon Spain. Her rulers acting more like madmen than statesmen, and the Government at Washington has to deal with set of antagonists in whom it can rely upon finding neither an honorable desire for peace honest effort to attain 1t.
 It is under these conditions the country waits the termination of the crisis, prepared for whatever may result The firm refusal of the President to remove General Lee or to yield to the demand that relief sup plies for Americans in Havana should not be sent in a warshp IS an evidence that there will be weak ness shown by the Government at Washington in is therefore imminent for unless the Spaniards learn the value of discretion this juncture their folly may precipitae conflict that will destroy the last vestige of their dominion in this hemisphere forever