The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-03-13
MAKING Things READY
Government Preparing For War, but
Hopes For Peace.
IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE.
The Army Has Department of the
South win Headquarters Al At
ianta-AetiVity In All of the
War Departments.

Washington, March a. Hoping for
the best and pi'faring for the worst,
about represents the situation In tho
war and navy departments these days
The officials still profess confidence that
there Is 10 b. a peaceful outcome Of the
present threatening difficulties, but
meanwhile prepare with serenity 10 meet
their duty II events should shape them
selves otherwise. The most important
and significant Developments Of the daY
were decision Of the house naval com.
mitiee 10 place in the naval appropria.
iion bill a provision for three new
tattieships and conclusion Of the part
Of the secretary Of war 10 issue this
morning an order creating a new mill
iary department, including within IL
confines that part Of the country which
would b. in all likelihood nearest 10 the
field Of hostiliiies In case IL should come
10 that. The order will create a com.
motion In the south. The present de.
partmeni of Texas Il abolished. and the
headquarters, which had been at san
Antonio for ~ many years, are aban.
dOnod. In place Of the old department
is created a new one. the department of
the south. General Graham, at present
commander Of the department Of Texas,
viii command the new department.
This department will include the
states of South Caroliua, Georgia, Flor.
ida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas All II these states save the
last arr at present attached 70 the de.
rartment Of the east under General
Merritt Of New York. Il Is said at ihe
department that General Merritt Il fully
compensated for the strength Of the
command which passes away from
him BY the addition 20 his forces
of the two regiments of artillery
now recruiting. The headquarters Of
the new department Of the south win BE-
ai Atlanta, Ga, chosen because Of IT,
hne strategioal value, from IT, excellent
nilroad connections. AZ present the
government has no accommodation in
Atlanta for the headquarters Of the de.
pariment, 70 IL viii b. obliged 70 hire
the most available haildings.
The officials Of the war department
admitted that they were stnining every
nerve % improve that part Of the De.
lenses Of the country confined 20 their
oare. Il Is without question the most
unusual mark of confidence in an exec.
uiiye officer 20 empower him 10 give or.
der without limit for the purchase Of
war material, yet this is wha, the pTgsi.
dent and Secretary Algcr have done in
the case of General Flaglor. chief u
ordnance Aud the officer has not
shown any disposition 20 shirk this
large responsibility, but has instructed
every concern capable Of supplying war
material, such a. npidhre guns, shot,
shell and ammunition, 20 90 20 work at
full capacity.
The navy department has now reason
20 bcneye that it has secured the two
warships Amazonius and her sister ship
now building in England for Brazil. Il
was stated by Secretary Long that the
naval atiache at London, Lieutenant
Colonel Wall, had almost completed the
negotiation for the sale So far, how.
ever, the final notification from him that
his offer has been accepted, has not yet
reached the navy department.