New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-14
GENERAL E4GAN'S OFFENCE.

A proposition Is pending to enlarge f0uTfold
the Regular Army OF the United States; ana
there Is need OF II. Furthermore. there mas not
been day since the outbreak or the war Win
Spain when there was more need than just now
that the Army should be kept In the best cohu'-
ton. under perfect discipline and ut us greatest
efficiency There nav be anxious work FOR II,
any day. in Cuba or on the other side OF tne
globe.
1t ia Just at this moment that the country Is
scandalIzel and the Army is discredlted and de-
morallzed by an outburst OF INSTRUMENTATION
and conduct unbecoming an officer and gentle
man more gross and shocking than our military
annals have recorded in half a century. This Is
no longer question for the ranking officer or
the Army. who has been insulted; or even FOR
the Commission, which strangely permitted It's
investigation TO be turned into conduit for
ruffiaDly personal blackguardism. The outrage
and the responsibility for prompt treatment or
II go higher.
Whether the Army had "embalmed" beef or
General Miles was mistaken or even unjust In
his criticism Of the supplies furnished him we
90 not pretend TO know. Possibly Comnissary-
General Eagan had good reason TO feel ag-
prieved. But his grievance. II he had Just one,
moment sink into insignifcance beside the mon
strous breach OF discipline involved In General
Eagans studiedy indecent and vituperative
public attack OH his superior officer. General
Eagan's purpose evidently was not so much TO
defend himself and his Department as to Insult
General Miles. az he himself proclaimed In the
coarsest manner possible. His statement was
carefully prepared, and he took means to have
2 hro HcoS OF wasted
tribunal before which It was read.
There can be 10 two opinions about the scan
dal and disgrace Of this astounding outbreak
We have no desire to PREJUDICE General Eaean
and we may even gran; rude courage to man
who darcs thus boldly TO attack another, know
ing. as he bcasted he did, the consequence. But
that courage was courage which breaks down
discipline disorganizes the Army and tends to
degrade It In public estimation both at home
and abroad No such fragrant violation Of mill
tary proprety and good order has occurred IN
the history Of the Army Never before has the
Army of the United States been held up to the
gaze of the whole world while one of its gen
erals bespatters the General-in-Chief in grave
official proceeding with language which would
seem foul in Billingsgate.
In almost any other army IN the world such
an lnclQp0L WONu UItau plStOiS dt Suoi' i"HS''
but we have abolished the duel even for the
vindication Of military honor General Miles
will be justified In regarding General Eagan' $
vituperation as not primarily his concern. In
due time the original questions at issue Will
come up for settlement. but the immediate and
transcendent matter now in hand is the Army
reputation and the Army discipline and that Is
not a subject for which the responsibility rests
primarily now on General Miles, or even on the
Secretary OF War, but on the COMMANDMENTS
Chief, the President Of the United States. THIS
Is no time for breaking down Army discipline
and making the American soldier contemplate.
The one must be maintained and the honor OF
the other INDICATED. This attack on both is
made under conditions too fragrant by an officer
too highly placed to be passed over as one OF
the minor offences calling only for routine cor
rection. and we have no doubt that it Will re-
ceive the prompt and stern attention OF the
President, to the end that another hundred
years may pass before another Of our generals,
no matter what the provOcatlon. shall drag the
fair fame Of the Army after him through the
mire.