Arizona republican., 1898-03-12
In the Meantime Preparation for the WOrStiS Going On
EEW MILITARY DEPARTMENT
The Department of Texas YVES
 Abolished Yesterday
Tho New Ono Established Nearest tho FioId Of Possible ROStilities. The Reported Purchase of Two Brazilian War Ships.

Washington, March 11.-Hoping for the best and prepared for the worst about represents the situation in the war and navy departments these days. Officials still profess confidence that there is to be a peaceful outcome Of the present difficulties, but they are meanwhile preparing with serenity to meet their duty if events should shape themselves otherwise.
 The most important significant developments of the day were the de- cision of the house navay committee to place in the naval appropriation bill provision for three new battle ships, and the conclusion on the part of the secretary of war to issue to- morrow morning an order creating a new military department including within it's confines that part of the country which would be in all likeli- hood nearest the field of hostilities in case it should come to that The or der will cause commotion in the south. The present department of Texas is abolished and the headquarters which have been at San Antonio, Tex, for SC many years are abandoned.
 In place of the old department is ere ated a new one, the department of the south. General Graham, at present commander of the department of Texas, will command the new depart ment. This department will include the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi- ana and Texas. All of these states, save the last, are at present attached to the department of the east under command of General Merritt of New York. It is said at the department that General Merritt is fully compensated for the strength of the command which passes away from him by the addition to his force of the two regiments of artillery now recruiting.
 The headquarters of the new depart ment of the south will be at Atlanta, chosen because of it's fine strategical view, from it's excellent railroad con- nections. At present the government has no accommodations in Atlanta for the headquarters of the department, so it will be obliged to hire the most available buildings.
 General Wilson, chief of engineers, who has been in Florida, is expected back tomorrow to report to Secretary Alger upon the progress Of the forti- fication work in that section of the country and probably as to the defense of the Tortugas. For the first time to- day the officials of the war department admitted that they were straining ev- cry nerve to improve that part of the defenses of the country confined to their care.
 It is without question most unusual mark of confidence in an executive of ficer to empower. him to give orders without limit in the purchase of war material, yet this is what the presi- dent and Secretary Alger have done in the case of General Flagler, chief of ordnance, and the officer has shown no disposition to shirk this large respon- sibility and has instructed every con- cern capable of supplying war ma terial, such as rapid fire guns, shot, shells and ammunition, to go to work at full capacity.
 The navy department has now reason to believe that it has secured two warships, the Amazonas and her sister ship now building in England for Brazil. It was said at the cabinet meeting today by Secretary Long that the naval attache, Lieutenant Caldwell, had almost completed negotiations for the sale.
 The day passed again without a 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 Advocate Mark.
 MOVING AT MARE ISLAND.
 Vallejo, Cal, March 11-Everything is stir and hustle at the navy yard. Hundreds of workmen are being added to the usual force to rush the work of preparing the Charleston and the Philadelphia, the Hartford, the Pensa- cola and the Adams for service. The Yorktown is awaiting repairs, but no orders have been received from the navy department regarding work to be done on her. The Charleston and the Philadelphia have been ordered completed at once and it is chiefly on their account that so many extra en- ployes have been addide to the pay roll, though other departments at the yard are also swelling their working lists. ... 8.