The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-12
been one of the largest and most important in

been one of the largest and most important in
the country.
The new Department OF the Gulf will be OK.
ccedingly important In Wow of threatened war
with Spain. Its proximity TO the probable scene
OF naval operations gives IL n prominence which
1t would not otherwise possess. 1t embraces
tho whole coast limo from North Carolina to
the Rio Grande, and every seaboard city Of
the southeast will be under the protection Of
tho army Of tho Gulf. operating in
conjunction with naval vessels In Southern
waters. Major-Gen. Merritt will retain conf
mand OF the curtailed Department Of the East
but he will have an increased force In the two new
regiments of artillery which will establish head
quarters at posts In New York harbor. Nearly all
the cavalry and infantry to DO moved East will
probably be assigned to tho Department of tho
Gulf. Brig Gen. Graham, who will movo his
headquarters from San Antonio to Atlanta, will
DO retired for age In tho fall, and the new Briga-
dier-General. his successor. will probably be Col.
Guy V. Henry. In command of the Sixth Cav
airy.
A conference was held at the War Department
to-day between Major-Gen. Miles and Senator
Hawley, Chairman of tho Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, which will result in an attempt to
pass the bill rowling the grade of Lieutenant
General. Gen. Miles is preparing to take the
field IL hostilitios occur. but will remain
in Washington after tho concentration Of
nearly the entire army on the Eastern coast.
awaiting developments which may make
active operations necessary. 1t has been prac-
tically decided that Major.Gen. Merritt shall
assume command OF any military force sent to
Cuba, and Gen. Miles will in that event prob
ably assume Gen. Merritt's duties in the De-
partment of the East, in addition TO his present
duties as Commanding General of the army.
Almost for the first time since the days of
the civil war the War Department has re-
sorted to the use of the cipher in sending
dispatches to army posts regarding the Inn
portant movements contemplated. When these
orders shall have been carried out the whole
coast from Maine to the Rio Grande will be pro-
vided with military posts stronger than Mt any
timo for thirty-ive years. since practically the
whole standing army Of the United States will
be distributed along tho Atlantic seaboard.
Secretary Alger has directed Gen. FlaRler.
Chief of Ordnance, to proceed Immediately,
without awaiting specific appropriations by
Congress-, to procure rapid-tire guns, with car
riages and ample supplies Of powder and pro-
~jectilcs for guns Of all calibres. He has also di-
rcctcd Gen. Flagler 10 increase work at all ord
nance establishments. armories, and arsenals to
the full extent Of their capacity. employing as
many extra men as can possibly be utilized.
The Ordnance Department. under orders from
the Secretary of War, has been engaged for
some weeks in planning to hasten the work Of
all contractors and to make the necessary new
contracts for any and all ordnance materials
that may be needed in case Of emergency. ALI
manufacturers of ammunition for the use Of the
army and navy have been notified that the
Government will buy all the ammunition which
they can furnish by employing the full capacity
of their plants twenty.four hours q day.