The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-03-18
PROVISION ron THRnn IN THE
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
New Military Department Created
20 He Knswn a. the Department
Of the south = Negotiations Al
most Complcte for the Purchase
Of Two warships Being Com
rtructed for Drasil-The Govern
ment Also Has Options ON .
Number Of other ves.l.-Acttvity
In Navy and War Departments
Ccntinres.
new MILITARY Department Create,

CSntiMEes. e
Washington, March 12.-Hoping for
the best and prepared for the worst
about represents the situation in the
war and navy departments these days.
The officials still profess confidence
that there is to be a peaceful outcome
of the present threatening difficulties,
but meanwhile prepare with serenity
to get their duty if events should
shape themselves otherwise. The
most important and significant de-
velor ments of the day were the decis-
lon Of the house naval committee to
place in the naval appropriation bill a
provision for three new battleships,
ana conclusion on the part of the
secretary of war to issue an order Gre
ating a new military department in
Guiding within its confines that part
of the country which would be in all
likelihood nearest to the field of hos
tlities in case is should come to that.
The order will create a commotion in
the south. The present department Of
Texas is abolished and the headcuar-
tiers. which have been at San Antonio.
Tex, for so many years, are aban-
doned. In place of the place of the
Old department is created q new one,
the department of the South. Gen.
Grahan, at present commander of the
department of Texas, will command
The New Department..
Th1s department will include the
States Of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis
lana and Texas. All of these states,
save the last, are at present attached
TO the department of the East under
command of Gen. Merritt of New
York. Headquarters of the new de-
partment will be at Atlanta, Ga.
chosen because of it's fine strategic
value from it's excellent railroad CON
nections.
1t Is without question the most I'M
usual mark of confidence in an execu.
tive officer to empower him to give
orders without limit for the purchase
of war material, vet this is what the
president and Secretary Alger have
done in the case of Gen. Flagler, chief
OF ordnance, and that officer has not
shown any disposition to shirk this
large responsibility, but mas instructed
every concern capable of supplying
war material, such as rapid-fire guns,
shot, shell and ammunition, to 20 to
work at full capacity.
The navy department has now rea-
sons to believe that it has secured
the two warShips, AmaZOnas and her
sister ship now building in England
for Brazil. 1t was stated at a cabinet
meeting by Secretary Long that the
naval attache at London, Lieut.. Col
we'll had almost
Completed the Negotiations
for the sale. So far, however, the
final notification from him that his
offer has been accepted has not yet
reached the navy department.
The day passed again without word
from the court of inquiry according to
the statement of Secretary Long, who
says that he has received nothing
whatever from the court itself OF from
Judge Advocate Mark.
In anticipation of a rupture between
the United States and Spain many
naval officers on the retired list have
notified the secretary of the navy Of
their willingness and readiness to
perform any duty in the line Of their
profession that he may deem suitable
for them. There seems to be consid-
erable misapprelension on the part of
the general public as to the available
ity Of officers on the retired list for
active duty in times of war; Section
14c2 of the revised statutes, bearing
on this subject, provides as follows:
s'No officer on the retired list of the
navy shall be employed in active duty
except in time of war;" Under this
section it is apparent that If war
should break out all officers on the re-
tired list competent to serve will be
subject to orders from the secretary of
the navy.
False In Every Particular.
The statement was persistently cir
culated yesterday afternoon, and in
some cases the report came from those
whose sources Of information should
be reliable, that the administration
was in possession of intimations or in
vestigation of the court of inquiry as
wtuld show that the explosion which
destroyed the Maine came from some
external agency. A cabinet officer was
even quoted as making this announce
ment, and another report had it that
the stenOgraphic notes of the inquiry
were before Secretary Long. When
the matter was brought to the atten-
ton Of Secretary Long he pronounced
the statement ms false in every partic.
ular. '1'here is not a word of truth in
Them" he said. mo word has been
received by the president or any one
else as to what the board Of inquiry
will determine. The rumor was float
ing about all afternoon, but it is utter
lyWithout foundation"
Activity Mt Fort McHenry.
Baltimore, March IL Fort McHenry
is now the scene of degree Of nc
tivity not witnessed. there for: many.
ynars Infni,nGtion Inns. hnen received,