Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-12
NO one IS MAPPING.
WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS
PREPARING FOR THE WORST.
NEW MILITARY Department.
1T IS THOUGHT THAT TWO WAR.
SHIPS HAVE BEEN SECURED.
Orders Have Been Given to Every
Concern Capable of Supplying
War Material to Go to
Work at Full Cnpaci-
ty at Once.

Washington, March 11.-Hoping for the
best and prepared for the worst, about
represents the situation in the war and
navy departments these days. The ofi-
cials 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 II
events should shape themselves otherwise.
The most important and significant de-
velopments of the day were the decision
of the house naval committee to place in
the naval appropriation bill a provision for
three new bat;leships. and a conclusion
on the part of the secretary of war to
issue tomorrow morning an order Great
ing a new military department. including
within its confines that part Of the country
which would be in all likelihood nearest
the field of hostilities in case it should
come to that.
The order will create a commotion in
the South. The present department of
Texas is abolished, and the headquarters
which have been at San Antonio, Tex,
for so many years are abandoned. In place
of the old department is created a new
one, the department of the South. General
Graham. at present commander of the de-
department. This department will include
the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Flor
ida. Alabama. Mississippi, Louisiana 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. 1t is said at the
department that General Merritt Is fully
compensated for the strength of the COM
mand which passes away, from him. by
the addition to his forces of the two regi-
ments of artillery now recruiting.
Headquarters Of the new department of
the South will be at Atlanta, Ga, chosen
because of its fine strategical value, from
its excellent railroad connections. AT pres
ent the government has no accommodations
in Atlanta for the headquarters of the de-
partnent so it will be obliged to hire the
most available buildings.
General Wilson, chief of engineers. who
has been in Florida, is expected back to-
morrow to report to Secretary Alger upon
the progress of the fortification works in
that section of the country and probably
especially as to the defense of Tortugas.
For the first time to-day the officials of
the war department admitted that they
were straining every nerve to improve that
part of the defenses of the country confined
to their care. It is without question the
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 responsibility, but has
instructed every concern capable Of sup
plying war material, such as rapid-firing
guns. shot. shell and ammunition, to go to
work at full capacity.
The navy department has now reason to
believe that 1t has secured the two war
ships, Amazonas and her sister ship now
building In England for Brazil 1t 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 final notification from him
that his offer has been accepted, has not
yet reached the navy department
The day passed again without word from
the court of inquiry. according to the state
ment of Secretary Long. who says that he
has received nothing whatever from the
court itself or from Judge Advocate Ma
riX.
The secretary has determined that there
shall be no wasteful extravaganza in his de-
partment in the expenditure of the funds
SO generously provided by congress, and
~ liiiS cIu uc iidS duuTeSSeu lle lOllOW
ing letter to the assistant secretary of the
navy. the colonel commandant of the ma
rine corps, and to each of the bureau chiefs
of the navy department.:
Sir:-Under. the emergency appropria-
ton of s50OO0,0O0. made Wednesday, YOU
Will incur no expense or liability except
after written statements and estimates
made by you and approved by the presi-
dent and secretary, all in writing A spe-
cial record must be kept of every such
requfsition. If any such liability or ex-
pense has been incurred by you by oral
| direction. make such written statement,
and estimate and submit it at once for
such approval"
In anticipation of a rupture between the
United States and Spain, many naval Of
| ficers on the retired list have notified the
secretary of the navy of their willingness
and readiness to perform any duty in the
line OF their profession that he may deem
suitable for them. There seems to be con-
| siderable misapprehension on the part of
| the general public as to the. availability of
| officers on the retired list for active duty
in times of war. Section 1862 of the re-
vised statutes bearing on this subject pro-
| vides as follows:
No officer on the retired list of the navy
shall be employed in active duty except
| III tlfIlc VI "dT
Under this section, it is apparent that
| II war should break out all officers on the
| retired list competent to serve will be sub
| 1ect TO the orders of the secretary of the
| navy. Another statute bearing on this sub
| Ject, contained in sections l,463 and l. 464. is
| as follows:
In time of war the president by. and
| with the advice and consent of the senate
! may detail officers on the retired list for
the command of squadrons and single ships.
| when he believes that the good of the sery-
| ice requires that they shall be so placed
in command. In making said details, the
president may select any officer not below
tie grade of commander and assign him
to the command of a squadron with the
rank and title of flag officer and any
officer SO assigned shall have the same au-
thority and receive the same obedience
from the commanders of ships of his squad.
ron holding commissions of an older date
that he would be entitled to receive IL hi:
commission were the Oldest"
1t thus appears that the president has
power TO assign any retired officer of the
navy to duty during the progress of war
hut that he can only assign him to tn,
command of squadrons or ships by anG
with the advice and consent Of the senate
There are many officers OH the retired
list, in the full enjoyment of health ant
mental vigor. despite the fact that they
are now e. years of age. whose ability ant
experience would undoubtedly be of grea