The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-03-18
PUSHING WAR WORK.
A NEW MILITARY DEPART
MENT CREATED.
Orders Have Been Given to Every Con-
Germ Capable of Supplying War Mate
rial to Go to Work mt Full Capacity at
Once-Negotiatingf for Warships

WASHINGTON, March IL. - Hoping
for the best and prepared for the
worst, about represents the situation
in the war and navy departments
these days The officials still profess
confidence that there is to be peace
full outcome of the present threaten
ing difficulties, but, mean while, pre-
pare with serenity to meet their duty
II events should shape themselves
otherwise.
The most important and significant
developments of the day were the de-
cision of the House naval committee
to place in the naval appropriation
bill provision for three new battle
ships, and conclusion on the part OF
the secretary of war to issue an order
creating new military department,
including within its confines that part
of the country which would be in all
likelihood nearest the field of hostili-
ties in case it should come to that
The order will create a commotion
in the South. The present depart
ment of Texas is abolished, and the
headquarters which have been at San
Antonio, Texas, for so many years
are abandoned. 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 department This depart
ment will include the states OF South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and
Texas. All of these states, save the
last, are at present attached to the
Department of the East, under com
mand OF General Merritt of New York.
Headquarters of the new Department
of the South will be at Atlanta, Ga,
chosen because of it's fine strategical
value from its excellent railroad con-
nections
For the first time the officials of the
War department admitted that they
were straining every nerve to improve
that part of the defenses of the coun-
try confined to their care. 1t is with
out question the most unusual mark
of confidence in an executive officer to
empower him to give orders without
limit for the purchase of war material,
yet this is what the President and
Secretary Alger have done in the case
of General Flagler chief of ordnance.
And the officer has not shown any
disposition to shirk this large respon
sibility, but has instructed every con
Germ capable of supplying war mate
rial, such as rapid-fring guns, shot
shell and ammunition, to go to work
at full capacity.
WASHINGTON, March 10. -Presiden
McKinley's hands have been upheld b!
both branches of the American Con
Qress With enthusiasm, fervor anC
promptness almost unparalleled in thu
Senate, in time OF peace, that body
passed the emergency appropriation
bill, carrying $1s3, 900 of Deficiencies
and placing at the disposal of the
president $50, 900, coo for national de
Tense.
The vote by which the measure was
passed was unanimous. Seventv-si2
short, sharp and emphatic speeche!
were delivered in favor of the bill
each one being simply a ringing AYE
during the roll call upon the passage
of the measure. Not only did every
Senator present register his vote il
favor of the BILL but for every absen
member the authoritative announce
ment was made that if he were pres
emit he would vote aye.