The San Francisco call., 1898-04-09
Just One Course by Which Spain Can Avoid a
 Conflict.
Only the Improbable and Unex= pected Before Next Monday Can Avert the ApprOach=
 in9 HOstilities.

message as reasons for intervention in force and to end the war
 According to the Presidents posi- ton, as is now we'll known, the sole ob- ject of the United States is to put an end to the horrible conditions in Cuba, to re-establish peace and order and to recognize any stable form of govern ment when organized. In short, his order until the people of the island can decide for themselves what form of gov ernment they want. By taking the po sition indicated in the note to the powers, or by formal proclamation, Spain would show that she was ready to do herself just what the United States IS attempting to force her to do. But Spain has not up to this time shown that she would make any concessions which by any possibility would mean the hauling down of her flag even at a remote date
 Assuming that she would go that far, 1t would not be satisfactory to the United States, as under no circum- stances would the President consent to a withdrawal of warships, nor would public sentiment in this country permit him to enter into any new negotiations which did not mean immediate inde- pendence and satisfactory reparation for the Maine disaster.
 Hence, any way you look at 1t, I do not see how diplomacy can avert the forcible intervention which the President has definitely determined upon"
 President Mckinley received few callers outside of members of his Cabi- net to-day. Senators, Representatives and office-seekers seemed to realize that the President wanted this day for rest and relaxation.
 Senator Lodge of Massachusetts called and had long consultation with the President. When he left the White House he informed me that the Presidents mind is fully made up to send his message to Con- gress next Monday.
 Nothing short of a complete with drawal of the Spanish forces from the island of Cuba will satisfy the American people" said Senator Lodge, ''and the President fully realizes that fact There is no disposition on his part to further delay this matter, and 1t will be a great relief to him and also to the country when the subject is finally presented to Congress on Monday"
 The time has passed for the peace at-any- price" party to have any effect on the President. He has passed beyond the realm of indecision and procrastirla- ton, and has been carried along by the tide of popular sentiment aroused by the destruction of the Maine until he is far beyond the reach of domestic or for eign peace commissioners. AS one of his closest advisers remarked to-day. 'The President could not retrace his steps if he would, and would not take backward step if he could Having fully made up his mind to face the in- evitable, he calmly but confidently awaits the crisis which must come with the delivery of his message to Con- gress."
 Brief and uneventful was the Cabinet meeting During the hour and half the President and his advisers sat around the table the situation as above indicated was freely commented upon. There Is no longer any division of opinion among Cabinet officers as to the inevitable result Talks with the Presi- dents official family show that they re- alize that the President has exhausted everything that honorable diplomacy might suggest to bring about peaceful solution of the difficulty
 It is the unanimous verdict of the Cabinet that Spain must relinquish her claim to Cuba or suffer the con- sequences of war.
 It is said by a member of the Cabinet that no official information has been re- ceived from Madrid to-day. and the only foreign dispatch presented to the Cabinet was message from Consul General Lee at Havana stating that he would be prepared to take his departure for Key West tomorrow. He also stated in his dispatch that he had made provision for all American citizens tc leave Cuba
 After the Cabinet left the White House Lieutenant General Schofield retired. called and had a lengthy inter view with the President. He again as sured the President of his willingness to be assigned to active duty in any ca pacity the President might see fit to suggest.
 Senator Spooner of Wisconsin called