The Portland daily press., 1898-03-12
HOPING FOR THE BEST.
But Departments Are Preparing for
tle Worst.
SUCH WAS THE SITUATION IN
WASHINGTON YESTERDAY.

New Department of the Army To Be
EstabIished-war Department Admits
That They Are straining Evsry Re-
course to Improve Country's De-
fences.
Washington, March 11.-Hoping for the
best and prepared for the worst, about
represents the situation in the war and
naval departments, The officials still pro-
fess confidence that there will be peace
full outcome of the present difficulty, but
meanwhile prepare with serenity to meet
their duty if events should shape them
selves otherwise. The most important de-
yelopment of the day was the decision of
the House comm ittee to place in the naval
appropriation bill provisions for three
new battleships and q conclusion on the
part of the Secretary Of War to issue to-
morrow an order creating new military
department including within it's confines
that part of the country which would be
in all likelihood nearest to the field of
battle, in case it should come to that.
The recent department of Texas ii
abolished by the order and there is created
the department of the South. General
Gray at present commander of the depart
ment of Texas, will command the new
department, which will include the states
of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ia
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
All of these states save the last are at
tached to the Department of the East un-
der command of General Merritt of New
York. 1t is said at the department that
e ii -11 p<~~% %t1<r
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 will be Atlanta,
chosen because of it's fine strategical
value, from it's railroad connection.
General Wilson, chief of engineers who
has been in Florida will be back tomor-
row to report to Secretary Alger upon
progress of the fortftoations work in that
section and as to the defense of Tortugas.
Today for the first time the officials of
the War Department admitted they were
straining every nerve to improve that
part of the defences of the country con-
fined to their care. The President and
Secretary Alger have empowered Gen.
Flagg, chief of ordnance to give orders
without limit for the purchase Of war
material. Gen. Flagg has instructed every
concern capable of supplying war
material, sucH as raplu ure gums, sAoe
shell and ammunition to go to work at
full capacity.
The Navy Department has now reason
to believe that it has secured the war ship
Amazonas and her sister ship new build
ing in England for Brazil 1t vas stated
at the Cabinet meeting today by Score
tary Long that the naval attache at Lon
don. Lieut. Colwell. had almost COM
pleted negotiations for the purroTe The
notifications that theLieut's offer has been
accepted has, not yet reached The Navy
department.
Secretary Long still says he has re-
ceiyed no word from the court of inquiry
itself or from Judge Advocate Marix.
The Secretary has determined that there
shall be no waste or extravaganza in his
department in the expenditure OF the
funds, provided by Congress and he had
addressed the following letter to the as
sistant secretary of the navy, the colonel
commandment of the marine corps and to
each bureau chief Of the navy department:
sSir: Under the emergency appropriation
of $50, 900, 900 made Wednesday you will
incur no expense or liability except after
written statements aud estimates made by
you and approved by the President and
Secretary all in writing A special record
must be kept Of every srch requisition.
If any such liability or expense has been
incurred by you or by your direction,
make such written statement and esti-
mate and submit it at once for such ap-
proval.
"By order of the President.
Respectfully.
81. D. LONG, Secretary -
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 readi-
ness to perform any duty in the line of
their profession that he may deem suit
able for them. There seems to be con-
siderable misapprehension on the part OF
public as to tine availability OF officers on
the retired list for active duty in times or