The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-12

want war and Will do everything hon.
orable In its power to avert such ca
lam!ty."
SITUATION AT WASHINGTON.
Only Two Important Davslopments-New
Military Department Organized, nnd
Thrro New Battie.hips Provided For.
WASHINGTON. D. c., March IL
Hoping for the best, and prepared for
the worst. about represents the sltua-
tlon in tho war and navy departments
these days. The officials still profess
confidence that there Is to be a peaceful
outcome OF the present threatening dlf-
iculty, but meanwhile prepare with Sc
renity to NEE. their duty II events
should shape themselves otherwise. The
most important and significant develop
nents OF the day were the decision OF
the house naval committee to place In
the naval appropriation bill provis-
ion for three new battleships and
conclusion on the part OF the secretary
O. war 10 issue tomorrow morning an
order creating new military depart
ment. including within Its confines that
part OF the country which would be in
oil likelihood nearest to the field OF hos
tIllues In case It should come to that.
The order Will create commotion 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 Or
the old department Is created q new
one. the department Of the south. Cen
eral Graham, at present commander OF
the Departmental OF Texas. will command
the new department.. This department
will include the states OF South Caro-
lima, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mlssl-
ssippl, Louisiana and Texas. All OF
these states save the last are at present
attached to the department OF the east
under command OF General Merritt.
1t is said at the department that Gem
eral Merritt IS fully compensated for
the strength of the command which
passes away from him BY the addition
10 his forces OF the two regiments Of
artillery now recruiting. Headquarters
OF the new department OF the south will
oe at Atlanta, Ca, chosen because OF
us fne strateGlcal point. from Its ex-
ccel!ent railroad connections. At present
tAc government has no accommodations
In Atlanta for the headquarters of the
department 80 It will be obliged to hire
the mos: available: building.
General Wilson. chief OF engineers
VINO has been in Florida. Is expected
oark Tomorrow to report to Secretary
AiseF upon the progress of the tortifi-
caiion works In that section OF the
country md probably especially as to
the defense OF Tor;ugas.
fnf the 'i.st time to-day the officials
VI me war department admitted that
.ney were strainlng every nerve TO i'm
prove That part Of the defenses of the
syuhlIy confined TO their care. II Is
WITHOUT question the most unusual con-
Hdehce IN the executive officer to en-
po"eT MIN to give orders without limit
IoT Inc purchase OF war materiol y.t
.HIs !s what the President and Secre-
essy Alger haro done In the case Of
GeAelal Flagier, chief OF ordnance. And
.ne oiieer has not shown disposition
70 shirk this large responsibility, but
mas Instructed every concern canahIe
"a .nupplylhs war material. such as rap
IN, e guns shot, shell and ammunI-
>'''' " 30 70 WORK at full capacity.
The navy department has NOW re,
son to believe that Il Las securea tho
TWO warshlps Amazonas and her sIsIer
snip' p' now building in England for IRA.
III. 1t was stated at the cabinet neot.
.ms To-day by Secretary Long that the
t. ta.ai attache at London, lieutenant
SoIohel Well, had almost completed The
Hesouations for the sale. So far. how
I'fs' the final notification from hin
.mat hls oner had heen accented Inns NOT
M rcached the navy department.
ne day passed again without word
ron the court OF Inquiry, according 10
.ne statement OF Secretary Long, who
nasH that he has received nothing what
.rfE from the court Itself or from Judge
Advocate Mark. %.
nc secretary has determined that
IRE snail be no wasteful cxtravagance
- MS department In thu expenditure
r. Mc iuhds so generously provided by
SSon6rcsa. and to this end he hns ad-
.sSsca the following letter TO the as-
s.Sant secretary OF the navy. the Colo
nei commandant OF the marine corps.
ann 10 each OF the bureau chiefs OF the
navy department. e5.-1g. ~
slR;-Under the emergency appro-
mla,Ion OF $4,000 900 made Wednesday.
you VIII incur no expense or liability cX-
ccpt htter written statements and csti.
mates mates made byyou and approved By the
resident and secretary, oil In writing,
special record must pc kept Of every
huch re1ulsitton. II any ouch liability
VI expense has been Incurred by you by
ofaI direction, make such written stnte-
iheht and estimate and submit Il at
once for'such approval.
iiy order OF tho President
very respectfully.
JOHN D. LONG, Secretary"
IN anticipation OF rupture between
.hG United States and Spain many ma
~, va officers on tho retired list have no..
,li'"a ,, Tho secretary Of the navy OF their
"'liihEncAS and readiness 10 perform
.hy duty In tho line OF their profession
"'os ne may deem suitable for them.
fHcFe seems to be considerable, ,mla.
Spptehenslon on the part OF the general