Evening journal., 1898-03-12
New Military Department Of
the South Is Now
Created.
GRAHAM WILL COMMAND
Belief That Uncle Sam Has Secured
WsrShips the DOns Wanted.
iMAzONAS AND HER SISTER SHIP.
Senior Bernabe IntImates That Spain Does
Not Want English Paper Thinks
l.. tho United states WIN Eventually
obtain Command OF the Sea.

- tho united states VIII Eventually
Obtain Command OF the Sea.
WASHINGTON, March 12-Hoping
for the best and prepared for the worst
about represents the situation in the
war and navy departments these days.
Tho officials stin profess confidence
that there Is TO be peaceful outcome
OF tho present threatening difficulties.
but meanwhile prepare with serenity
20 meet their duty IL events should
shape themselves otherwise. The most
important and significant developments
OF the day were the decision OF the
house naval committee 70 place in the
naval appropriation bill a provision for
three new battleships and a conclusion
on the part OF the secretary OF war
20 issue an order creating new mill
tary department, including within It's
uondnes that part Of the country which
would be IN all likelihood nearest to
tho field OF hostlllties in case II should
como 10 that
The order will create a commotlon In
the south. The present department OF
Texas IL abolished ana the headquar-
ters which have been at San Antonio.
Tex, for 80 many years are abandoned.
In place OF the old department Is Gre
ated new one-7-the department Of the
south. General Graham. at present
commander OF the department Of Tex
aa, VIII command the new department.
This department viii include the states
OF South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama Mississippi Lo'asiana and
rexas.
All Of these states save the last are
at present attached TO the department
Of the east under command Of General
Merritt at New York. II Is said at the
department that General Merritt is full
ly compensated for the strength OF the
command which passes away from him
BY tho addition 10 his forces OF the two
regiments al artillery, now recruiting.
Headquarters OF tho new department
of the south will be at Atlanta chosen
because of It's fine strategical value and
from It's excellent railroad connections.
At present the government has no ac-
commodations In Atlanta for the head
quarters oe the department so II will
be be c4lllssd 70 hire otRe most available
rhe'havV department has now reason
70 believe that II has secured the two
wnrshlps Amazonas and her sister ship
now uun0luB lAIblhnu AbA iaAANiis. ~
was stated at the cabinet meeting yes
terday BY Secretary Long that the
naval attache az London, Lieutenant
Colwell, had almost completed the ne
aotiations for the sale. 80 far, how
ever, the finals notification from him
that his offer had been accepted has not
vet 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 or from Judge Ad-
Vocato Mark ,,
General Wilson. chief OF engineers.
who has been In Florida, is expected
back today 10 report TO Secretary Al
ger upon tho progress OF the fortih-
cation works In that section OF the
country and probably especially as 70
the defense Of Tortugas. For the first
time yesterday the officials OF the war
department admitted that they were
Htraining every nerve to improve that
part OF the defenses OF the country con-
fined TO their care. II Is without ques-
ton the most unusual mark Of conn.
dence In an executive officer to empow.
er him TO give orders without limit foi
the. purchase OF war material, yet thi.
Is what the president and Secretary AL.
ger have done In the case Of Genera
Flagler. chief OF ordnance, and that Of
ficer has not shown any disposition L
Bhirk this large responsibility but ha.
instructed every concern capable o
supplying war material, such as raplC
Gre guns, shot, she'll and ammunition
to 60 to work at full capacity.
The secretary Of the navy has deter
mined that there shall be no wastefu
extravaganza in his department in tn
expenditure OF the funds so generousl.
provided by congress, and to this en'
he has addressed the following letter &
the assistant secretary Of the navy. tn
colonel commandant Of the marin
corps and 70 each OF the bureau chief
Of the navy department.:
Under the emergency appropriatlo
Of 600 made Wednesday you vii
incur no expense or liability eScop
after written statements and estimate
made by you and approved by the pres
ident aud secretary. all In writing.
special record must be Kept Of ever
such requisition. II any liability ar cx
pense has been incurred by you by crs
direction make such written statemer
and estimate and submit It at once fc
such approval. BY order Of the pres
dent"
In anticipation OF a rupture bctwee
the United States and Spain many NJ
val officers on the retired list have not
fed the secretary Of the navy Of the
willingness and readiness TO perfou
any duty in the line of their professio
that he may deem suitable for ther
There seems TO be considerable rnisal
prehension on the part OF the gsner
public as 70 the availability Of Office
on the retired list for active duty
time OF war Section 1852 Of the r
vised statutes. bearing on this SUI
1ect, provides that 'sno officer on the r
tired list OF the navy shall be employ
on active duty except IN time OF war
Under this section 1t is apparent IN
II war should break out all oCicers
the retired list competent to serve "