Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-03-18
BREVITIES.

A dispatch recently received from
Shanghai says that the influence of Ii
Hung Chang and the dowager empress
have been exercised in behalf of Russia,
whose demands, SO far as China is con-
cerned, will be granted. According to
the same dispatch. the Russian title to
Deer Island has been confirmed.
The Carpenter Steel Works, of
Reading, Pa, has been askea-te
bid on II, 900 shells of various SITS for
the government. The contract would
amount to nearly s1,,75O,O 900. The en-.
tire plant is now working night and
day on government contract involv-
; ss;,.s the s'es"''''*s ! "''''""
Gen. W. S. Rosecrans died at his
home near Redondo, Cal, a few days
ago. The old warriors death
came peacefully. For several days he
was unconscious or in semi-comatose
state. The general was stricken with
no particular disease and the end came
through gradual weakening of the
system.
Washington dispatch: An Amer
lean torpedo expert who testified before
the court of inquiry has told ar
Associated Press reporter that the
Maine was blown up by a torpedo. and
he gives the facts upon which the
board will rely to sustain that con-
clusion. This is the most direct and
specific statement on the subject yet
given to the public, for while the
officers name is not, for obvious rea-
son, published. the Associated Press
would not handle the story unless it
was authentic. 1t is settled that the
board will report that the Maine was
blown up. Just how far it will i'm
plicate the Spanish government IS not
known.
Des Moines dispatch: Arrange.
ments for the movement of troops from
western points to the southeast Allan.
tic and gulf coast points are being
made. The movement may begin at
once. Ordnance and ammunition fac
tories and navy yards are working
double time and to their full capacity.
National guard circles are agitated.
A report is current that the Iowa
guards have been asked to prepare FOX
orders. Indiana guard officers have
gone to Washington for consultation.
Secretary Algcr has issued an order
creating the department of the lakes
and abolishirg the department of Mis-
souri,. The new department of the
lakes will include Wisconsin, Michi
gan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky
and Tennessee with headquarters at
Chicago.
Washington dispatch: The sccre'
tary of war has issued an order Great.
ing new military department. includ
ing within its confines that part of the
country which would be in all likel!
hood nearest to the field of possible
hostilities in case of war with SPAIN
The order will create Il commotion in
the south. The present department OF
Texas is abolished and the hcadquar
tiers. which have been at San Antonio
Texas, for so many years, are aban.
doned. In place of the old department
is created new one. the department
of the south. General Graham, at
present commander of the department
of Texas. will command the new dc.
partment, which will include the
states of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama. Mississippi, Texas
and Louisiana. All of these states
save Texas are at present attached to
the department of the east. under
command of General Merritt. of New
York. Headquarters of the new dc.
partment of the south will be at
Atlanta, Ca. chosen because of it's fine
strategical value from it's excellent
railroad connections.