The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-12
PEACE SEEMS PROBABLE.
coyERNMENT HOPES FOR BEST,
RuT READY FOR THE WORST.


culties-A New Military Depart
ment TO De Created with Atlanta
as the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Two
Warships Reported Secured.
Washington, March 11.-Hoping for and
expecting the best, and prepared for the
uorst. about represents the situation in
tbe war and navy department these days.
The officials still profess confidence that
there is to be a peaceful outcome of the
threatening difficulties, but meanwhile
prapare with serenity to meet their duty
If events should shape themselves other
wise
The most important and significant de-
yelopments 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 en-
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 hostilities in case it should come
10 that The order will create a commo-
ton in the South. The present department
Of Texas is abolished and the headquar-
ters. which have been in San Antonio,
4 Tex. for so many years, are abandoned.
In place of the old department is created
a new one, called the department of the
South
Gen Graham, at present commander of
1
the new department. This department will
. include the states of South Carolina, Geor-
n ga, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana and Texas. All of these states except
a the last are at present attached to the
Fl department. of the East under command
4 Of Gen. Merritt of New York
1t is said at the department that Gen.
Merritt is fully compensated for the
n strength of the command which passes
n away from him by the addition to bis
81 forces of two regiments of artillery row
recruiting. The headquarters of the new
"a department. of the South are at Atlanta,
81 Ga. chosen because of its fine strategical
n value, from its excellent railroad connec-
tons. At present the government has no
accommoda tions at Atlanta for the head
quarters of the department, so 1t will lie
obliged to hire the most available build
* ings,
Nj Cen Wilson, chief Of engineers, who has
been in Florida, is expected back to-mor-
Tow to report to Secretary Alger upon the
progress of the fortifcation works in that
section of the country, and especially to
The defense of the Tortugas.
n For the first time to-day the officials of
the war department admitted that they
were straining every nerve to improve
every part Of the defenses of the country
eonhned to their care. 1t is without ques-
lien a most unusual mark of confidence
IN an executive officer to empower him 10
N give orders without limit for the purchase
OF war material, yet that is what the
President and Secretary Alger have done
in the case of Gen. Flagler, chief of ord
nance And the officer has not shown any
disposition to shirk this large RESPONSE
n hlly, but has instructed every concern
capable of supplying war material, such
Us rapid-tire guns, shot, shell and ammu-
Mlon to 20 to work at full capacity.
The navy department has now reason to
believe that it has secured the two war
SHIPS, Amazonas and her sister ship, now
building in England for Brazil. 1t was
stated at the cabinet meeting to-day by
Secretary Long that the naval attache at
London, Lieut.. Colwell, had almost COM
iieted the negotiations for the sale. So
lar however, the final notification from
nm that his offer has been accepted has
not yet reached the navy department.
The day passed without word from the
court Of inquiry, according to the state
ihent of Secretary Long, who says that
ne mas received nothing whatever from the
court itself or Judge Advocate Mark, re-
eardless of the frequent publications to
lhe contrary. The secretary has deter
mined there shall be no wasteful extrava-
eance in his department in the expendi-
,uie OF the funds so generously provided
Wy congress, and to this end he has adj
dressed the following letter to the assist
ant secretary of the navy, colonel COM
HIdnuant of the marine corps, and to each
u 'he bureau chiefs of the navy depart
ment:
Sir Under the emergency appropria-
,i .on OF $50,0OO,000 made Wednesday, you
WIN incur no expense or liability except
uuer written statements and estimate
-ndue by you and approved by the Presl-
"0nO and secretary, all in writing.
special record must be kept of every such
9lulstion. If any such liability or ex-
5.nse has been incurred by you by oral
anecuon, make such written statement
1nu estimate and submit ii at once for
such approval.
by order of the President. Very re-
spectfully John d. Long,
Secretary
-1n anticipation of a rupture between the
H'ed states and Spain many naval offi-
60 on the retired list have notified the
sc, ,retary of the Navy of their willingness
nv Iu readiness to perform any duty in the
s,., "o oL their profession that he may deem
st15laoe for them. There seems to be con-
,t''ldDle Misrepresentation on the part Of
% general public as to the availability
~ oiucers on the retired list for active duty
,es vi uines of war. Section 1852 of the re-
,i5 5ed statutes bearing on this subject pro-
toTs as follows: mo officer on the retr-
so, St of the navy shall be employed on
I'VE ~, DUTY except in time of war"
H., "ere are many officers on the retired
ny IN the full enjoyment of health and
ar S"lai VigoG despite the fact that they
ey over 62 years of age, whose ability and
sdpei'ehce would undoubtedly be Of great
r'autase TO the nation In case it proved
a. ssary to so to war in the defense of
IN Hohor and dignity. Notable among
80 - IS Rear Admiral John c. Walker,
emily retired for age and who is now
tbsased ~ on special duty as president of
9 Nlcaraguan Canal Commission.
pr1lanta Ca, March 1f.--The Associated
6ress dispatch from Washington was the
sNt ntlmatiOn In this rltv that the war