The record-union., 1898-03-12
The House Naval
Committee
Makes Provision for New
BaitIeShips.
A New Military Department to
be Created.
War Officials Straining Every Nerve
TO Improve the Defenses.
Two New Warships Which Were Being
Constructed in England for Brazil
Secured-NO News From the
Court Of Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, March 11.-Hop:ng
for the best and preparing for the worst
about represents the situation in the
War and Navy Departments these
days. The officials still profess conf
dence that there is to be a peaceful out
come of the present threatening diff
culties, but meanwhile prepare with Sc
renity to meet their duty if events did
shape themselves otherwise.
NEW MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
The most important and significant
DEVELOPMENTS of the day We're the decis-
ion OF the House Naval Committee TO
place in the naval appropriation bill
provision for three new battleships and
a conclusion on the part of the Secre-
tary of War to issue tomorrow NOM
ing an order creating new military
department, including within its con-
fines that part of the country which
would be in all likelihood nearest the
field of hostilities in case it should
come to that. The order viii cause
conmotion in the South The present
Department of Texas is abolished, and
the headquarters which have been at
San Antonio, Texas, for so many years
are abandoned. In place of the old ue-
partment is created a new one, the De-
partment Of the South.
General Graham. at present the COM
mander of the Department of Texas.
viii command the new department.
This department will include the States
of South Carolina, Georgia. Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and
Texas. All of these States. save the
last, are at present attached to she
Department of the East, under com
mand OF General Merritt of New York
1t IS said at the Department that Gen
eral Merritt is fully compensated for
the strength of the command which
passes away from him by the addition
TO his forces of the two regiments of
artillery now recruiting. Headquarters
OF the new Department OF the South
viii be at Atlanta, Ga, chosen
because OF its fine strategical
value. and from its excellent rail-
read connections. At present the
Government has no accommodations
in Atlanta for the headquarters of the
Depa rtment, so it win be obliged to hire
the most available buildings.
General Wilson, Chief of Engineers.
who has been in Florida. is expected
back Tomorrow to report to Secretary
Alger upon the progress OF the fortif-
cation work in that section Of the coun-
try. and probably especially as to the
defense of the Tortugas.
STRENGTHENING DEFENSEs.
For the first time to-day the officials
of the War Department admitted that
they were straining every nerve to i'm
prove that part Of the defenses of the
country confined TO their care. 1t is
with oat question the most unusual
mark Of confidence in an executive of
flcer 10 empower him to give orders
without limit IN the purchase of war
material. yet this is what the Presi-
dent and Secretary Alger have done in
the case OF General Flagler. Chief of
OlunInCe. And the oEIlCeT mas not
shown any disposition to shirk this
large responsibility. but has instructed
every concern capable OF supplying war
materials. such q rapid-iire guns. shot.
shell end ammunition. to so to work at
full capacity.
TWO NEW WARSHIPS.
The Navy Department has now rea-
son 10 believe that It has secured the
two wsrships. he Amazonas and her
sister ship. now building in England for
. Brazil. II was stated ar the Cabinet
meeting to-day by Secretary Long that
the naval attache a London. Lieuten-
ant Colweil. had almost completed The
negotiations OF the sale. So far. how
ever, final notification from him that
his offer has been accepted has not yet
reach "a the Navy Department
NO REPORT FROM NAVAL COURT.
The day passed again without word