Newspapers / The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, … / March 15, 1898, edition 1 / Page 1
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mOT filing 41 A' OL. XXXI. NO. 20. WILMINGTON, N. C, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1898. $1.00 PER YEAR. THE CRISIS HEAR AT HAHD. EVIDENCR OP CAUSE OF WRECK : OF THE MAINE Now in the President's Hands Canse of the Great Actively in Army and Navy Departments Spaniards The ories Produce Testimony Against Them Rushing Preparations for Defense of the Coast Cities-The hi: nation Becomes More Warlike Daily Washington, March 11. Hoping for, and expecting the "best, and prepared for the worst, about represents the sit uation in the war and navy depart ments these days. The officiate 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 if events should shape themselves otherwise. The most important and significant developments of the day were the decision of the house naval committee to place in the naval appropriation bill a provision for THREE INEW BATTLESHIPS and a conclusion on the part of the secretary of war to issue tomorrow morning an order creating a NEIV MILITARY DEPARTMENT, including within its confines that part of the country which would be in all likelihood nearest to the field of hos tilities in case it should come to that. The order will create a commotion in the south. The present department of Texas is alolished and the headquar ters, "which has been at iS'an Antonio, Texas, for so many years, are aban doned. In place of the old department, is ere ait ed a new one, the department of the south. General Graham, at pres ent commander of the department of Texas, 'will command the new depart ment. This department Will include the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, 'Mississippi, Louisi ana 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. It is said at ithe department that General 'Merritt is fully compen sated for the strength of the command uvhich 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 t'he south will -be Atlanta, Ga., chosen because of its fine strategic value 'by reason of its excellent rail road connections. At present the gov ernment has no accommodations in At lanta for the headquarters of the de partment, so it will ibe obliged to hire the most available buildings. General Williams, chief of engineers, who has 'been in Florida, is expected back tomorrow to report to (Secretary Alger upon the progress of t'he fortifi cation works in that section of the country and especially as to t'he de fense oif Tortugas. STRAINING EVERY NERVE. 'For t'he first time today the officials of the war department admitted that they were straining every nerve to improve that part of the defenses ol the country confined to their care. It 'is without question the most unusual mark of confidence in an executive of ficer to empower him to give orders -without limit for the purchase of war material, yet this is what the presi dent 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 supplying Avar material, such as rapid-fire guns, shot, shell and ammunition, to go to work at full capacity. TWO WARSHIPS PURCHASED. The navy department 'has now rea son to believe that it has secured the two warships Amazonas and her sister ship now building in England for Brazil. It was stated at t'he cabinet meeting today by Secretary Long that the naval attachee at London, Lieuten ant 'Colonel Col well, had mos t com pleted the negotiations for the sale. So far, however, the final notification from him that his offer has been accept ed has not yet reached the navy de partment. NO WORD FROM THE COURT. The day passed again without word from the court of inquiry, according to the statement of Secretary Long, who says that he has received nothing whatever from the court itself or from Judge Advocate Marix, regardless of the frequent publication to the con trary. TO ALLOW NO EXTRAVAGANCE. The secretary has determined that there shall Ibe no wasteful extrava gance in this department in the expen ditures of the funds so generously pro vided by 'congress and to this end he 'has addressed ithe following- letter to tthe ass'ilstant secretary of the navy, .the colonel commandant of the marine corps, and to each of t'he "bureau chiefs of -the navy department. "Sir: Under 'the emergency appro priation of $50,000,000 made Wednesday, you will incur no expense or liability except after written statements and, estimates anade 'by. you and approval toy the president and secretary, all in writing. !A special record must Ibe kept of every such requisition - If any such liaibilitiy or expense has "been in ourred (by you 'by oral direction, make such written statement and estimate and su'bmi't it at once for such appro val. By order of ithe President, Very respectfully. Signed JOHN D. LONG, Secretary." In 'anticipation' of a rupture between the Unlited States and Spain many naval officers on the retired list have notified the secretary of the wavy of - their willingness and readinests to per form any duty in the line of their pro fession that he may deem suitable for them. There seems to Ibe conslderaible misapprehension on the part of the general pulblic. as to the availability of officer on the, retired list for active 3uty In times of war. foectnon 1462 of the revised status hearing on this sub ject provides a3 follows: "No officer on the retired Tit cf the navy shall be employed on active duty except in time Of war." There are many officers on the re tired list in the full enjoyment of health 'and mental vigor, despite the fact that they are over 62 years of age, whose abiiSty an'd experience "would undoubtedly he of great advantage to .the nation in case ft proved necessary to go to war 'in the defense cf its honor and dignity. Nctahle among these is Rear Admiral John G. Walker, recent ly retired for age and now engaged on special duty as president of the Nica ragua canal commission. NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL. Three new "battleships, of the staunch est type afloat, were authorized hy tne house committee on naval affairs to day and a provision for their construc tion inserted in the naval appropria tion bill. !At the same time, the com mittee agreed on a maximum price of $400 per ton for armor plate for our vessels, increased the force of naval marines by 473 men and put matters In fair shape for a decision tomorrow on the location of dry docks, prohably four in number, capable of accomodat ing the largest size war vessels. The committee was in session practically all day and before the decision on the increase of ships was reached there was a long and interesting discussion. Representative Tate, democrat, of Georgia, while favoring an increase, believed that 'two vessels would be ample and that further expenditure beyond the point of necessity should be avoided. When the vote was taken there was but one dissenting voice; Mr. Tatte 'insisted that two 'battleships would 0e sufficient to meet present needs. The new warships provided for .will be of the finest pattern. It will be two years doubtless 'before they can be placed in 'commission. One of them, the com'mit'tee decided, should bear the name of the ill-fated Maine. The appropriation for their construction was not fixed, beiing referred to the su'b-commlittee on appropriations which Will report to the full committee tomorrow. The cost, it is expected, will ibe about $5,000,000 each, thougb. for the fiscal year, covered in the bill the amount of expenditure may not ex ceed $2,000,000 each. The committee also agreed on a pro vision authorizing the secretary of the navy to purchase 'armor plate 'by con tract or Otherwise at a cost of not ex ceeding $400 per ton. This was agreed to, however, only on the express pro viso that this item should 'include the niickel used in the trmor for which a Large outside percentage heretofore has been paid by the government. This limit of armor contraclt price Has been generally expected and, with the ex ception of the insertion of the proviso as to nickel, met with little opposition in the diis'cu'ssibn. One of 'the most important features of the work on the hill was an agree ment on an appropriation of $135,000 for outfitting, rationing and uniform ing 473 additional oniaiines This in crease in the naval force was made the suhject of a special and urgent re quest sent to the house after-the sub mission of the regular recommen dations. With the amounts to 'be paid for dry docks and for armor plate in the ag gregate not yet determined, the bill as it s tands carries in all something like $36,000,000 which, however, will he largely augmented by ithe other items. Rapid progress has heen made -with the hill and 'it is likely 'it will be in shape to report to the house Monday or Tuesday. ORDERS TO MAN BW FORTS. Orders were issued at the war de partment today for manning the newly established fortifications on the Atlan tic coast from Boston down to Galves ton on the gulf. They include the or ganization of the two new artillery regiments, Nos. 6 and 7, authorized by a recent act of congress. The Sixth regiment will have its headquarters at Fort S'locum, N. Y., and the 'Seventh regiment its headquarters at Fore Mc Henry, Maryland. The new fortification on Long Island head, at the entrance to the harbor of Boston, will 'be guarded by a battery of the Second artillery, now at Fort Adams, R. I. For the operation of the big guns on Sandy Hook, (New York harhor, two 'batteries, now at FDrt SI i, one at Fort Hamilton and an r at Fort Wads worth, will be utilized. It is expected that the Sandy Hook garrison will be established at once. Monroe, Va., is probably the strongest and hest equipped station on the Atlantic coast and the garrison there will be called upon to man other fortifications, but not to an extent that would weaken its own efficiency. One battery of the First artillery at Fort ress (Monroe will be transferred to Fort Morgan, Alabama, which, in con junction with Fort Gains, commands the entrance to Mobile hay. 'Another battery of the First artillery will be sent to Tybee island, Georgia, for the protection of the mouth of the Savan nah river. 'BATTERY I, SECOND REGIMENT, ORDERED TO FORT 'CASWELL. The garrison headquarters band, and one battery of the First artillery stationed at St. Franoi3 "barracks, St. Augustine, Fla., will 'be transferred to duty at -Sullivan's island. Charleston harbor. The garrison at SL Francis barracks will he abandoned. Battery I, of the Second artillery, will be as signed to duty' at 'Fort Caswell, oppo site Smith's island near Wilmington, N. C. For the better protection of the na tional . capital, one battery of the Fourth artillery at Fort Monroe has been ordere to Sheridan' Point, va This fort is nearly opposite Fort Washington and in connection with it commands the approach to Washing ton 'by waiter. The batteries of the Fourth artillery. stationed at Fort McHenry, near Bal timore, will ' be distributed between Fort Delaware and Fort Mott, N. J., thus providing for the protection of Philadelphia, Trenton. Camden and other cities in that vicinity. Fort St. Phillip on. the Mississippi river just be low INew Orleans will 'be garrisoned by a 'battery of the First artillery, now at Jackson barracks, New Orleans. The been assigned to duty at Fort Point, harbor of Galveston, Texas. All the movements indicated above are to be made without delay and are the results of the recent tour of in spection cf General Merritt. RELIEF WORK OF THE RED CROSS. Havana, March 11. The weather continues to he delightful and the city is tranquil as the skies are blue. Capt. Sampson seems to have recover ed from his slight indisposition and the United States naval court of inquiry into the loss cf the "battleship Maine, over which he presides, is pursuing its usual course. The relief work of the Red Cross so ciety in the city and country is daily becoming more systematized, effective and regular. Miss Clara Barton and the collector of customs have had most pleasant interviews, during which Miss Barton assured the official that the Red Cross people earnestly deprecated any at tempt, no matter from what source, to evade or infringe the customs laws of Spain or Cuba, and the collector ex pressed his desires and intention to do all in his power to expedite the ad mission of legitimate relief supplies. THE YACHT ANITA FINED. The American yacht Anita which brought a congressional party here has been fined $500 for, it is alleged, not having her papers in proper order. The gentlemen who arrived here on the Anita, Senators Gallinger, Thurs ton and Money, and Representatives Cummings and William Alden Smith, accompanied hy their wives, were pre sented at the palace at 10 o'clock this morning 'by Consul-General Lee and were cordially received by Captain General Blanco. This afternoon the congressional party paid a visit to a camp of reconcen'trados at Regla. To night they will go by sea to Matanzas This afternoon the membars of the autonomist cabinet called upon Com mander Converse and the officers of the Montgomery. The appropriate sa lutes and ceremonies were ctoerved, as was the case earlier in the day, when'General Farradorepresenting the governor-general, visiited the Mont gomery. (A Spanish report says that govern ment troops operating in the Sierra Maestra, have had a skirmish with an insurgent force and have inflicted "nu merous alsses" uponUhja insurgenitspalso capturing (five prisoners and destroy ing the plantation of the enemy. The troops, it is further saM, lost three mien killed and had ten wounded. MINISTER BERN ABE'S VIEWS. Washington, March 11. Senor Luis Polo y Bernafoe, the new minister, was seen at the Spanish legation today hy an Associated Press reporter, and for the first time since his arrival con sented, to speak concerning Spanish af fairs, observing such reticence on cer tain phases as diplomatic propriety required. Since the minister's arrival he has received a cablegram from Cap tain General Blanco, stating that the Cuban cabinet has designated Senors Sevallios, of New York, and Barilla, secretary of the Havana chamlber of commerce, to a'ot with Senor Angulo in negotiating a commercial treaty be tween the United States arid Cuba. The minister re)f erred incidental Iv to this fact, as he regarded it as another t evidence Of the complete autonomy i which Spain had 'granted to Cuba. peaking of the present policy of Spain in giving autonomy for Cuba the minister said: "The government has granted auton omy On the Ibroadest and most liberal lines. Naturally with an insurrection dragging toward 'its 'close, there are difficulties in the way of complete real ization of plans so comprehensive as to embrace the entire internal ma chinery of Cu'ba. The autonomist cab inet is organized, and in its hands is the direction of the domestic affairs of the lisland, pending the meeting of the Cuban parliament. "The naming of Cuiban delegates to feme to Washington and arrange a commercial treaty, shows how fully the plan of autonomy grants to the Cu- hans control of their own affairs. These delegates will have in their own hand the making of this tariff ar rangement and without them I could do nothing." When Senor Polo's at tention was drawn to recent critical phases of the Spanish situation, he spoke with much reserve. The Lee incident happened while he was on the ocean, and he j Knew nothing, 3ie said, or the circum- , stances, although he felt confident a ! misunderstanding had grown out of i some casual allusions to General Lee not meant as any intimation that his rec'all was desired. , The minister was then asked if he viewed the present condition of affairs hetween- the United States and Spain as indicating war. After a moment's hesitation, he answered gravely: "I am sure the United States does not want war, Just as I am sure that the Spanish government does not want war and will do everything honorable in its power to avert such a calamity." PROPOSED SPANISH TREATY. So far as the proposed treaty will af fect Spain, ft Is probahle that the lead ing tariff cpneetesion granted to Amer ican imports will ibe on machinery, electrical appliances of 'all kinds, and various woods which are used largely in Spain. American petroleum and cotton are the principal American Im ports in Spain, hut it 'is not prcioahle that duties will he reduced on those articles. They enjoy r a monopoly in the Spanish market, and to this ex tent they receive all the benefit which Spain feel's warranted in giving them. They are, however, among the lead ing revenue producing articles, and the present rates are said to be such that they could not be lowered without in juriously affecting the revenue. In this connection it is stated that Amer ican cotton is finding a large market for Spain, and that in the Catalonia district, particularly at Barcelona, mammoth cotton factories are build ing. In speaking of this to a friend, Senor Poh stated that Americans wouki be surprised to know that the output of Spanish manufactured cot tons was now wearing, if not exceed ing, the output in the United States. As to the concessions which Spain hopes to secure in the United States, it is understood that fruits wffl figure largely. The proposed treaties wIU do away with the Spanish preferential rate on fipur, and win leave the United States and Cuba to effect an arrange ment by which this country will here after supply the Cubans with this first necessary of life. SENOR POLO AT STATE DEPART MENT. Senor Polo was formerly received in his official capacity by Secretary Sher man and Assistant Secretary Day at the state department at 11 o'clock this morning. He will be given an aud ience by the president at the White house torn morrow morning at 11 o'clock. OPTIONS ON FOREIGN WARSHIPS. 'Most of the time of today's cabinet meeting was taken up in the discus sion Of measures which have been put into operation for the acquisition ot j naval vessels by the government. One of the members said after the meet ing: ''It is now altogether probable that we will secure two vessels that . are under construction for the Brazilian government. It is not possible at this time to say how many ships in all the government will be able to secure. It has options on a number that have been offered, hut nothing is likely to be definitely accomplished in the way of acquiring them until an examination is made into their condition for which purpose a naval officer has been dis patched abroad. We do not want a lot of vessels that other nations con tracted to be built and now find are not up to expectations. I should not be surprised but what the president could get five or six vessels in all. The $50,000,000 appropriated for war prepa rations will he expended in this coun try, except such as may be used in the purchase of ships and in the acquisi tion of munitions of war that are not obtainable here. '"Yes, I think the sympathy of the British government in this controversy is with the United States. At any rate she does not side with Spain. I do not mean by this statement to have you infer that the Englishmen will openly advocate cur course and extend us sub stantial help, but will give us their moral support." PLANS TO SETTLE CUBAN QUES TION. Washington, March 11. Projects for the settlement of the Cuban question are numerous, hut most of them are regarded in official circules as unworthy of serious consideration. One plan, however, has 'been presented to the president which has received the ap proval in a general way of leading men whose counsels have weight with the administration and there is reason to believe it is the subject tudious re flection in the cabinet. The proposed plan gives to Cuba all the rights, priv ileges and immunities enjoyed by Can ada, Spain reserving to herself only such rights as England exercises over ner colonies. SPANIARD'S' ACCOUNT FOR THE i EXPLOSION. Havana, March 11. Today Captain Peral, 'president of the Spanish court of inquiry into the cause of the Maine disaster, granted an interview to the correspondent of the Associated Press. Captin Paral said: "Our divers are hard at work examining the hull of the Maine. Great difficulty is experi enced, owing to the deep mud in which the hull is buried and the condition of the wreck forward cf amidships. The whole forward part of the ship is a mass of iron and steel dehris. We have hoisted up much of it, but in the mud it 'is not always possible to tell what parts of the ship's armor, deck, heams or stanchions are found, the explosion so changed their positions. "We think we have located the ram or prow, hut not in the position sup posed. The forward turret, mounting two large guns, was blown clear of the hull into the water on the starboard. We shall continue our work and try to examine the hull forward down to the keel. It is possihle that we may propose to .the American authorities to raise the hull by means of the float ing dock, hrought from England and now in the harbor. We cannot believe there was an external explosion of a torpedo, for the following reasons: A torpedo, following the line of least re sistance, must have blown a great hole in the mud at the bottom of the har bor. No such hole was found. A tor pedo must have thrown a large mass of water into the air if exploded at a depth of only twenty-five feet or so or at least have produced a wave reaching the other ships and the shore of the harbor. We have examined every one on ship board or shore who saw the explosion but no one can be found who remarked any upheave! of the water or a big wave. A torpedo always kills fish in the vicinity. No fish were killed by the Maine disaster, as fishermen who have known the harbor many years testify. To produce the effects noted in the wreck, a torpedo would have to be of enormous size, fully 150 or 200 kilos. I am therefore of opinion that the explosion occurred within the ship. 1 know and respect Captain Sigsbee, and I Ibelieve the American regulations affecting naval cdnduct, which I have read and found admir abl?, were carefully -observed. But some things which cannot he foreseen are bound to happen in any navy. I have heen reading of the explosion on the English ship Dolerel, which the English believe was caused by chemi cal combustion in the paint used fpr quick drying. I have also read an English account of shells that were found hurst open because of hardening points that split and produced heat. thus flashing the powder in the interior of the shell. As I have said, I do not helieve there was any carelessness on the part of the officers of the Maine I th believe there was an accident which could not possibly have been foreseen. Such is my judgement at present with the facts that are In the po-ession of the court." 'Madrid, Marcn 11. Further reinforce mtnts of troops have sailed from San tander for Cuba. The anxiety as to th relations between Spain and the United States which has pervaded financial and commercial circles for several days, culminated on Thursday in a heavy fall in funds. AM the news papers call upon the government to stop the panic by a prompt and clear statement as to the real conditions ex isting in Cuba, and lso defining the international relations. The newspa pers re-echo the profound sensation and displeasure caused by the United States sending the Montgomery to Havana and by the appropriation of $50,000,000 for the national defense. United States Minister Woodford, while returning from his drive today, alighted at the cemetery at the moment of the interment of the remains of the celebrated toreador, Frascuelo. who died last Tuesday. General Woodford distributed numerous alms among the poor who surrounded his carriage. There was a great crowd, but no dem onstration of 'hostility toward the American minister and the incident is much commented upon. London, March 11. A special dis patch from Madiid says this afternvm a Spanish squadron at Cadiz will cail for Cuba today. THE FERN SAILS. Key West. Fla.. March 11. The Fern sailed for "Matanzas tonight with a cargo of provisions for the starvinsr Cubans: from Matanzas she will go to Sagua La Grande. Her departure was Without Incident. The torpedo boat Dupont has arrived from Mobile. There is no unusual tre- oivity among naval officers here. (Norfolk, Va., March 11. The torpedo boat Foote left Old Point at 11:30 o'clock for Key West. She passed out the capes at 12:30. Newport. R. I., March 111. The tor pedo boats Stalbot and Gwin arrived here "this afternoon and were at once turned over to Lieutenant Comman der McLean, cemmandant of the sta tion, the boats having been accepted by the government. Tliey will receive their equipments and supplies at the station and are to go into commission in a few days.. Baltimore .March 11. Work is leincr vigorously pushed on the two ntw tor pedo boats and the sub-marine Hol land boat "Plunger" at the Columbian iron works. All are likely to be in re'adiness within thirty days. Washington, March 12. While today v:as not marked 'by particularly im portant events, the history of the week just closed will form a splendid record of what can he accomplished hy the nation in a. short space of time under the spur of necessity to provide for the national defense. Beginning with the appropriation of S50.000.000. to hf ex pended by the president without limi tation, there followed rapidly the plac ing of orders for enormous quantities of war supplies, the institution of ne gotiations for the purchase of ships abroad, the enlistment of men for the navy, the oreadon of two additional regiments of artillery, the commission ing of monitors, cruisers and rams. the manning of new posts along the seacoasts and finally the arrangement of the great military departments to meet modern conditions in military practice. The sending of the Oregon, now at Mare island, away from San Francisco is an exhibition of the far-s'ightedness with which the secretary of the navy is observing the situation of today. The vessel s orders are to cruise down the Pacific coast, touching In from time to time at various ports where calble connections exist, to receive any orders that the department may have to give. In this way dt is expected that she will woj-k as far south as Valparaiso, Chile, where she wiill await orders. Valparaiso is very much nearer to Cuba and to Admiral Sicard's fleet than Mare island, while, if it should be de sired to send this ship to the Asiatic station, this can be done almost as con veniently from Valparaiso as from San Francisco. 'At Valpaiso, therefore, the Oregon will be where she can be most usefully manipulated in Case of an emergency. PRESIDENT CONFERRING WITH SECRETARIES. The president held a long inference at the White house about noon today with Secretaries Alger, Long and Gage, It is presumed that their sub ject of discussion was the finances of the situation, a sulbject which could not he fully treated at the cabinet meeting yesterday, owing to the short session. 'After the conference the state ment was again made, -with the em phasL that has .characterized every utterance on the subject by the presN dent's constitutional advisors, that up to date the administration has abso lutely no knowledge of the cause of the disaster to the Maine and that it has no report of any kind from the court of Inquiry or any one connected with it. The board of naval bureau chiefs find it impossible to pass judgement in Washington upon the fitness for naval service of vessels that may he offered for the auxiliary hranch of the na' at the, various seaports. So they have heen aided in their work hy the crea tion -of a special hoard which will un dertake to visit each of the ports where ships may he offered and make a care ful personal 'inspection of the various craft. The hoard will consist of Cap tain Rodgers, Lieutenant Commander Kelly, Past Assistant Engineer Dixon, Assistant Naval Constructor Tawresy and Lieutenant-Sargeant. The Nashville arrived at Key West today while the Marlflehead arrived at Tampa. The naval officials will not state the purpose of the Marhlehead's visit to .Tampa. BIG ORDER FOR PROJECTILES. The war 'department on Monday will open bids for one of the largest orders for shot and shell for havy calibre guns ever given including armor-piercing projectiles, deck piercing and tor pedo shells. The number and charac ter, of these are as follows: Nine hundred and thirty five 12 inch deck piercing shells, weighing 1,000 pounds each; 1.241 12 inch deck piercing shells, ""weighing 800 pounds each; 4S1 10 Inch armor piercing shells; 4S2 JO inch armor piercing shot, capped; 149 8 inch armor piercing shells; 150 8 inch armor piercing shot, capped. These projectiles are for the heavy for tification guns now mounted along the seacoasfc. The purchase is not to be made under the $50,000,000 defense ap propriation bill, but in anticipation of the fortification bift which grants J940,000ffcr a reserve supply of pro ject ilesand powder. 'As the making of the heavy projectiles will take consid erable .time the contract will be let ahead of the passage of the bill, as surances having heen given from men in congress that no question will be raised as to the regularity of this pro- Vcs the fowl pre. Absolutely Puro ceeJing. The entiro -amount Is dfuhrn ed to give all the lnwvy guns now tn stalled, and the to 1k put hi ptci during the coming yvar. a full quota, of projeotik-s and puwder. The 12 .th shot are among the largt m.idc. The cost of a ingl rt-pnd of this o.u-sm of projectiles is $511. A' Me from the larjro orders to 1k placvd Monday. th mtT gency bill will in-milt additional iKrs to meet the requlrtflnen'ts of snuCi forti fication guns iM may o UKHinttnl for emergency. The prvnvt xtler Is for thvj actual netls of the guns miw mounted, without n-tferewc to-ony vx isiing emergency, although it Vnen made all the more imfin'raUw Iry ttie Spanish crisis. CAHLElJKAM FIIOM HLAN. The Spanih ministx-r Sn'r Polo, received a dispatch today frv;in Cap tain General lllanco, stating that the condition of the OuUin ni:uitraKHa vus grtatly 'improved. lfntr.il !tlmt stated also that he had prep.ml firil data on this su'bjivt to be forwards to Washington. sSenor Iolo has not yvt opened busi ness negotiations- with tihv jtv.ite de partment except In the formahtifs of presenting his credentials. He in ilrM. attending to the social duties incum bent on a new minister, and after fil ing on the president today he qrct the rest of the day calling on amlaadorss and ministers. The text of the war department orders es'tahlishinig the new dejart!iett of the gulf and making other iihangea is as follows: GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 7 "Headquarters of the army "Adjutant General's Office. "Washington, Marvh 11 1KSH. 'The following orders have leen re ceived from the war deiarrnv-nt anl are published for the information and guidance of all conceimod: "War Department, Wastrtrartorv March 11, 1898. "By direction of the president, the fal lowing changes are made in the terri torial limits, designation, and hwl quarrs of geographiical dMyartmentH: 1. e department of the east will embrace the New England states, N-w York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dela ware. Maryland, District ot Columbia, West Virginia. Vlrgin1a,and North Car linallnawith headquarters at Jovernn-3 island. New York. 2. A department 1s hern'by estabHsh ed to le known as the depamiwrit rf the lakes, to consist of Che state, of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indbvna. Ohio, Kentucky', and Tennessee, wltti headquarters at Chicago, 1 Hindis. 3. The departmen t of Dakota will embrace the states of Minn esota Nortti Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, ami so much of Wyoming and Idaho an la emlxraced in the Yellow Stmt National park, with headquarters at St. I'ouL. iMinn. 4. The department of th Colunhhi will embrace the slates of Vahtrnrtm. Oregon, Idaho (except so much of th latter as embraced in tht YelTow SV.on Royal National park) and the territory of Alaska, with headquarters at Van couver barracks, Washington. C. The department of Oaiif.rnla will embrace the states of California and Nevada, with headquarters at Suji FranciHcw. 6. The dcjuartment of the o4nado will emlfrace the states of Wywnlnc (except so much thereof as Is etmlraood in the Yellow Stone National iark. Colorado, and Utah, and the t-rrttc-ies of Arizona and New iMx4, with headquarters at Denver, O!o. 7. The department of the IMatte -will embrace the state of Iowa. CSelraMkm, Missouri, Kansas an1 ArkanHa. ths Indian territory and the territory oC Oklahoma, with headquarters at Omu ha, Neib. 8. A department is hem-by establish ed to be known as the department of the gulf, to consist of the CateH of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Afa hama, 'Mississippi, Louisiana and IVx as. with headquarter at Atlanta. Ck. The department of the Missouri uiI Texas are hereby abolished. The records of the department of tho Missouri will le tramtferrvd to tbx? de partment of the lakes ami th ise f the department of Texas to the dearuwTL of the gulf. Major-Cencral John R IJrke la assigned to the command of the de partment of the lakfl, and RriuJer General William M. lrn2unm to tho command of the department of Mk gulf. The officers of the several gtaff departments now on duty in the depart ment of the Missouri and of Texan are assigned to like duties In the depart men ts of the lakes and of fhe gulf, re spectively. , The travel required under these or ders is necessary for the public tervictx. Signed It. A. ALOKIl. . Secretary k War. By command of Major-Ceneral Miles. II. C. Corlnn, adjutant-generaL General Graham, telegraphed tho war department today that he wouldt go to Atlanta on Monday next to ca tahlish his headquarters there. fienafor Bacon, of Georgia, was at the war department today and express ed his gratification that Georgia Trad been made the ctnter of xhe new de partment, with he ad quartern at Atlan ta, This step he said, was due entirely (Continued on FhTth Page,
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 15, 1898, edition 1
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