The herald., 1898-03-12
HOPE FOR BEST
While Making Preparation
For the Worst
A DAYS DEVELOPMENTS
POINT TO EXPECTATIONS OF A.
STRUGGLE
CRUISERS BUILT FOR BRAZIL
Will Probably Be Turned Over to the
United States-The War De-
partment Active
A DAYS DEVELOPMENTS
POINT TO EXPECTATIONS OF A.
STRUGGLE
CRUISERS BUILT FOR BRAZIL
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Hoping for
the best and preparing for the worst, about
| represents the situation in the war and
| navy departments these days The offic-
ials 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 il
events shape themselves otherwise. The
| most important and significant develop
| ments of the day were the decision Of the
house naval committee to place In the
naval appropriation bill a provision for
three new battleships, and a conclusion on
the part of the secretary of war to issue
Tomorrow morning an order creating new
military department, including within its
confines that part of the country which
would in all likelihood be nearest the field
Of hostlities in case 1t should come to
that. The order will cause commotion In
the south.
THE NEW DEPARTMENT
The present department of Texas is abol-
ished and the headquarters. which have
been in San Antonio, Tex, for SO many
years, are abandoned. In place of the old
department is created a new one, the de-
III,
present the commander of the department
of Texas, will command the new depart-
ment. 1t will include the states of South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana and Texas. All Of
these states save the last are at present at
tached to the department of the east, un-
der command of Gen. Merritt of New York.
1t Is said at the department that Gen.
Merritt is fully compensated for the
strength of the command which passes
| away from him by the addition to his
forces of the two regiments of artillery
now recruiting. Headquarters Of the new
department Of the south will be at Atlanta,
chosen because of Its fine strategetical
view, from its excellent railroad connec.
tions. At present the government has no
accommodations in Atlanta for the head
quarters of the department, SO 1t will be
obliged to hire the most available build
ings.
Gen. Wilson. chief Of engineers. who has
been In Florida, is expected back tomor-
row to report to Secretary Alger upon the
progress Of the fortification work in thar
section Of the country and probably espe.
cially as to the defense of the Tortugas.
WAR DEPARTMENT WORK
For the first time today the officials Of
the war department admitted that they
were straining every nerve to improve that
part Of the defenses Of the country con-
fined to their care. 1t is without question
the most unusual mark of confidence in an
executive officer to empower him to give
orders without limit In the purchase of war
material yet this is what the president and
Secretary Alger have done in the case OF
Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance, and the
officer has not shown any disposition to
shirk this large responsibility, but has in
structed every concern capable of supply.
ing war materials, such as rapid-fring
guns, shot, shell and ammunition, to goto
work at full capacity.
WARSHIPS SECURED
The naval department has now reason to
believe that it has secured the two war
ships, the Amazonas and her sister ship.
now building in England for Brazil. It was
stated at the cabinet meeting today by
Secretary Long that the naval attache.
Lieut.. Caldwell, had almost completed the
negotiations for the sale. So far, however
final notification from him that his offer
has been accepted, has not yet reached the
navy department.
NO WORD FROM MARK
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 Judge Advocate Mark.
NO WASTE ALLOWED
The secretary has determined that there
shall be no wasteful extravaganza in hi,
department in the expenditure Of the funds
so generously provided by congress, and
to this end he has addressed the following
letter to the assistant secretary Of the
navy and the commandant of the mar,no
corps and to each bureau chief of the navy
department:
"Sic-Under the emergency appropria-
tion of $50, 900, 900 made Wednesday you will
incur no expense or liability except after
written statements and estimates made by
you and approved by the president and Sec
retary all in writing. special record
must be kept of every such requisition. II
any such liability or expense has been in
Cured by you by your direction, mako
such written statement and estimate and
submit 1t at once for such approval.
by order Of the president.
VERY respectfully JOHN D. LONG,
Secretary"
VETERAN VOLUNTEERS
In anticipation Of rupture between the
United States and Spain, many naval offic.
ers on the retired list have notified the Sec
retary of the navy Of their willingness and
readiness to perform any duty in the line
OF their profession that he may deem suit
able for them. There seems to be consider.
ably misapprehension on the part of the
general public as to the availability Of offic-
ers on the retired list for active duty In
times Of war. Section 1462 of the revised
statutes bearing on this subject. provides
as follows: mo officer on the retired list Of
the navy shall be employed on active duty
except In time Of war" Under this section