The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-12
Department Says Every
Nerve Being Strained.
TO IMPROVE THE DEFENSE
TWO SHIPS BUILDING FOR BRA
I'll ARE PURCHASED.
NEW MILITARY DEPARTMENT CREATED
Department of South With Headquarters at
AtIanta-.WiIl Be No Waste of Emergency
Fund. Hoping for Best But Pre-
pairing for Worst.

pairing for Worst.
Washington, ID. c., March 11-Hoping
for, and expecting the best and pre-.
pared for the worst, about represents
the situation in the War and Navy De-
partments 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 meet their duty
if events should shape themselves other
wise. The most important and s:gni
ficant developments of the day were
the decision of the House Naval Com
nittee to place in the Naval Appropria-
ton bill a provision for three new battle
ships and a conclusion on the part of
the Secretary of War to issue tomorrow
morning an order creating Il new mill
tary department., including within its
confines that part of the country which
would be in all likelihood nearest II the
field of hostilities in case it should come
to that. The order will create commo-
tion in the South. The present Depart
nent of Texas is abolished. and the
headquarters, which has been at San
Antonio, Texas, for so many years, ar
abandoned. In place of the old depart
ment is created new one, the Depart
nfent OF the South. General Graham,
ut present commander of the Depart
Inent of Texas. will command the new
department. This department win in-
ciude the States of South Carolina,
JcOFgin. Florida, Alabama. Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas. All of these
States save the last are at present at
tached to the Department of the East.
under command of General Merritt. of
New York. 1t is said at the department
that General Merritt, is fully compen-
saited for the strength of the command
which passes away from him by the ad-
dition TO his forces OF the two regiments
Of artillery now recruiting. Head
quarters of the new department OF the
South will be at Atlanta, Ca, chosen
because of its fine stratogical value,
from its excellent railroad connections.
at present the government has no ac-
commodations in Atlanta for the head
quarters of the department, 50 it will bc
obliged to hire the most available build
ings.
STRAINING EVERY NERVE.
General Wilson. Chief of Engineers,
who has been in Florida, is expected
back tomorrow to report to Secretary
Aiger upon the progress of the fortih-
cation works i'll that section OF the
country, and especially as to the defens,.
OF TortugaS.
For the first time today the officials
Of the War Department admitted that
they We're strainiDg every nerve to i'm
prove that part of the defcnses of the
country confined TO their care II is
without question the most unusual mark
of confidence i'll an executive officer
10 empower him to give orders without
limit for the purchase of war material
yet this is what the President and Secre
tary, Alger have done in the case of
General Flaglcr, Chief Of Ordnance
And the officer has not shown any dis
position to sbirk this large responsibility.
but has instructed every concern calr,-
bic Of supplying war material, such as
rapid fire guns, shots. shell and ammuni-
ton. to go to work at full capacity.
The Navy Department has now rca-
son to believe that it has secured the
two war ships. Amazonas and her sister
ship. now building in England for Brazil
II was stated at the Cabinet meeting to-
day by Secretary Long that the Naval
attache at London. Lieutenant Colwell
had almost completed the negotiations
for the sale. So far, however, the tinal
notification from him that his offer has
been accepted. has not yet reached the
Navy Department.
The day passed again without u word
from the Court OF Inquiry, according to
the statement of Secretary Long who
says that he has received nothing what
ever from the court itself or from Judge
Advocate Mark, regardless of the fre
quent publications to the contrary.
NO WASTEFUL EXTRAyAGANCE,
The Secretary has determined that
there shall be mo wasteful extravaganza
III his department in the expenditure of
the funds SO generously provided IN.
Congress and to this end he has adj
dressed the following letter to the As
sistapt Secretary of the Navy, the Col.
0nel COmmandant of the Marine CornS
and to each of the bureau chiefs of tn,
Navy Department:
''Sir: Under the emergency appro.
priation of $50,O00,00O made Wednes.
day you will incur no expense or liabil,
ity except after written statements and
estimate made by you and approved by
the President anu Secretary, all in
writing A special record must be kept
OF every such requisition. If any such
liability or expense has been incurred
by you by oral direction, make such