The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-15
THE CRISIS NEAR AT HAND.
EVIDENCE OF CAUSE OF WRECK
OF THE MAINE

Navy Departments->pania Ihe'
cries Produce Testimony Against
Them-Rushing Preparations for
Defense of the Coast Cities The Sin
nation Recomes More Warlike Daily
Washington, March 11.-Hoping for,
and expecting the best, and prepared
for the worst, about represents the sit
uation in the war and navy depart
ments these days. The OfficiaS still
profess confidence that there is to be
a peaceful outcome of the present
threatening difficulties, but meanwhile
prepare with serenity to meet their
duty if events should shape themselves
otherwise. The most important and
significant developments of the day
were the decision of the house naval
committee to place in the naval
appropriation bill a provision for
THREE NEW BATTLESHIPS
and a conclusion on the part of the
secretary of war to issue tomorrow
morning an order creating a
NEW MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
including within it's confines that part
of the country which would be in all
likelihood nearest to the field of hos
tilitieS in case it should come to that.
The order will create a commotion in
the south. The present department of
Texas is abolished and the headquar-
ters, which has been at San Antonio,
Texas, for so many years, are aban-
doned. In place of the old department,
is created a new one, the department
of the south. General Graham, at pres
ent commander of the department of
Texas, will command the new depart
ment. This department will include
the states of South Carolina, Georgia,
FLORIDA, Alabama, Mississippi Louisi-
ana and Texas. All of these states
save the last are at present attached
to the department of the east, under
command of General Merritt, of New
York. 1t is said at THE departme MT
that General Merritt rs fully compen-
stated for the strength of the command
(which passes away from him by the
addition to his forces of the two regi-
ments of artillery now recruiting
Headquarters of the new department
of the south will be Atlanta GA.
chosen because of it's fine strategic
value by reason of it's excellent rail-
road connections. At present the gov
eminent has no accommodations in At
lanta for the headquarters of the de-
partment, so it will he obliged to hire
the most available buildings.
General Williams, chief of engineers,
who has been in Florida, is expected
back tomorrow to report to Secretary
Alger upon the progress of the fortifi-
cation works in that section of the
country and especially as to the de-
fense of Tortugas.
STRATNING EVERY NERVE.
Fer the first time today the officials
or the war department admitted that
they were straining every nerve to
Improve that part of the defenses OF
the country confined to their care 1t
is without question the most unusual
mark of confidence in an executive Of
ficer to empower him to give orders
without limit for the purchase of war
material, yet this is what the presi-
dent and Secretary Alger have done in
the case of General F1agler chief of
ordnance. And the officer has not
shown any disposition to shirk this
large responsibility, but has instructed
every concern capable of supplying
war material, such as rapid-fire guns,
shot, she'll and ammunition, to go to
work at full capacity.
TWO WARSHTPS PURCHASED.
The navy department has now rea-
son to believe that it has secured the
TWO Warships AmazOnas and her sister
ship now building in England for
Brazil. 1t was stated at the cabinet
meeting today by Secretary Long that
the naval attachee at London, Lieuten-
ant Colonel COlwell, had most COM
pleted the negotiations for the sale So
far. however, the final notification
from him that his offer has been accept
ed has not yet reached the navy de-
partment.
NO WORD FROM THE COURT.
The day passed again without word
1rom the court of inquiry, according
TO the statement of Secretary Long
who says that he has received nothing
whatever from the court itself or from
Judge Advocate Mark, regardless OF
the frequent publication to the con-
trary.
TO ALLOW NO EXTRAVAGANCE.
The secretary has determined that
there shall he no waSteful eXtrava-
gance in this department in the eXpen-
dTtures of the funds 50 generously pro-
Vided by congress and to this end he
has addressed the following letter to
the assistant secretary of the navy
the colonel counGnandant of the marine
corps, and to each off the bureau chiefs
of the navy department.
'Sir:-Under the emergency appro-
priation of $50, ,000, 900 made Wednesday,
you will incur no expense or liability
except after written statements and
estimates made by you and approval
by the president and secretary, all ir
writing. A special record must bt
kept of every such requisition If any
such liability or expense has been in
curred fby you by oral direction, make
such written statement and estimate
and submit it at once for such appro
val.
By order of the President,
Very respectfully,
ISignedl JOHN D. LONG, Secretary.
In anticipation of a rupture betweel
the United States and Spain man.
naval officers on the retired list hav'
notified the secretary of the navy O
their Willingness and readiness to per
form any duty in the line of their pro
fession that he may deem suitable 70
10, lo .1ly, Je>xo MI