Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-12
PREPARED FOR WORST
Ya Hoping for aud Expecting the
Best.
THAT Is THE SITUATION.
Authorities Sill Anticipate a Peaceful
Outcome Of Spanish Trouble.
DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH FORMED.
Independent Of Department Of East
and With Headquarters in Atlanta.
TWO FOREIGN wARsnIps pouGHT.
The AmnzonaS and IA sister Vessel
said 20 Have Bcen Secured-Three
New BattIeships TO BE BuiIt-No
Hc,vs from Naval Court.

News from Naval Court.
WASHINGTON. March 1l.-Hoping for
and expecting the best. but prepared for
the worst. This about represents the
situation in the War and Navy depart
m,nts these days. The officials still pro-
Tess confidence that there is 10 be a
peaceful outcome OF the present threat
,U.ng difficulties. but mean while are
duty. II events should shape themselves
otherwise.
The most important and significant de-
velopments of the day were the decision
of the House Naval Committee 90 place
iu the naval appropriation bill a provi-
sion for three new battleships, and a con-
cusion on the part of the Secretary of
War 20 issue an order creating a new
military department. including within it's
confines that part of the country which
would I'm all likelihood be nearest To the
field of hostilities in case il should come
90 that
The order will create a commotion in
the south. The present Department of
Texas is abolished. and the headquar-
rers which have been at San Antonio
Tex. for so many years, are abandoned
Iu place Of the old department is created
b new one-4the Department Of the South.
General Graham, at present commander
of the Department Of Texas, will COM
uand it. The new department will in
cIude the State Of South Carolina, Geor-
eia. Florida, Alabama. Mississippi, Louis
cana. and Texas. All of these States,
tave the last, are at present attached to
the Department of the East, Under conn
mand of General Merritt. of New York.
II is said at the department that Gene
,al Merritt is fully compensated for the
trength of the command which passes
away from him by the addition to his
forces OF the two regiments Of artillery
now recruiting.
HEADQUARTERS IN ATLANTA.
The Headquarters of the new Depart
meut of the South will be at Atlanta,
ga chosen because of its fine strategical
value and its excellent railroad connec-
tions. AT present the government has no
recommendations in Atlanta for the head
Quarters of the department so II Will be
Obliged TO hire the most available build
ing.
General Wilson. Chief of Engineers.
WIN has been in Florida. is expected back
to-morrow. TO report 10 Secretary Alger
upou the progress Of the tortihcauon-
work in that section of the country, ana
especially as to the defence Of the Tortu-
gas. -,.
For the first time to-day, the ofhclals
Of the War Department admitted that
they we're straining every nerve to i'm
urove that part of the defences of the
country confined to their care. 1t -
without question the most unusual marx
of confidence in an executive officer 10
empower him 10 give orders without limit
for the purchase OF war material, yet
this IS what the President and Secretary
Aleer have done In the case Of General
Flagler. Chief of ordnance, and the Clh-
Ger has not shown any disposition TO
shirk this large responsibility, but mas
instructed every concern capable OF
suuulving war material, such as rapid
firing guns. shot. shell and ammunition
10 so 10 work at full capacity.
The Navy Department has now reason
IN believe that IL has secured the TWO
vvarships AmazOnas and her sister SNIP
now building in England for Brazil. Al
was stated al the Cabinet meeting to-day
bv Secretary Long that the naval attache
af London. Lieutenant COlweH, had al
most completed the negotiations Tor lne
sale. SO far, however the maj noun
cation from him that his offer has peen
accepted has not yet reached the Navy
Department.
NOTHING FROM MAINE COURT
The day passed again without word
from the court of inquiry according 10
The statement of Secretary Long, who
saws that he has received nothing what
ever from the court itself, or from
dge-Advocate Mark, IN spite Oh puoH-
cations TO the contrary.
The Secretary has determined that
tbere shall be no wasteful extravaganza
Ina his department i'm the expenditure OF
the funds so generously provided by
Congress. and to this end ne mas ADDRESS
ad the following letter 10 the Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy, the Colonel Com
maudent OF the Marine Corps. and 70
each OF the bureau chiefs OF the Navy
Department:
.Sir.-I-nder the emergency appfopria-
ton Of x5OO00,O00 made Wednesday you
will incur no expense or haolllty' eNcep
after written statements ana eSlIh'to'
rrade nv Won and approved by the Presi'
d.nt and Secretary, all in writing 4 spe
cisl record must be kept Of every sucf
r.o,,isition. If any such liability or eK'
nense has been incurred by you by era
dtrection make such written statement
snd estimate and submit IL at once fol
such approval. BY request OF Ihe Fiesi
81, "JOHN d. LONG,
"s" Secretary"
In anticipation Of a rupture betWeei
the limited States and Spain, many naVa
oricers ON the retired list have norhe'
tbe secretary Of the Navy OF 'helr VIII
irpness and readiness 20 perform an!
duty in the line of their profession Una
ne may deem suitable for theh'
AVAILABILITY OF RETIRED LIST
There seems 10 be considerable inisdp
ufenension on the part OF the genera Pu"
uc as 10 the availability of oinceEs "h u
retired list for active duty IN tme oI W'I
section 14e2 Of the Revised Statutes pear
ing on this subject, proVioes 90
mo officer on the retireu hSt Vi
navy shall be employed on acu'o "u''
except In time Of war. 49,. 1.-Two
There are many officers on the e'iie
list in the full enjoyment OF heAth on Sn
mental yigor, despite the iact ln"l 'ne '
arc over 81 years old. whose abihty en- on
experience would undoubtedly oe d eie@
advantage 10 the nation. IN case II s'0s'
,,ro,,e necessary 10 20 20 war IN me ue
49, ~ Us honor and dignity. NotaDl
srong these is Rear Admiral johh
Walker. recently retired for age anu .o'
engaged on special duty as pres'ue"'
the Nicaragua Canal CommissiVH'
NOTHING FROM MAINE COURT
, . ..ss nersistently circu