Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-14
Eagan, 1t is Believed, Will Modify
His Statement.
DECLINES 10 COMMIT HIMSELF
Secretary AIger Again Refuses to
Discuss the Matter.
LONDON PAPERS SHEER

The key to the solution of the difficulty
between Gen. Eagan and Gen. Miles was
today in the hands of the former. The next
affirmative action is expected to come from
him if there is to be action. The war COM
mission having called upon him to modify
his statement, nothing can be done until
he has either revised his first declaration
or has notified the commissioners of his re-
fusal to do so. 1t is confidently expected by
the best informed officials that the COM
missary general will certainly modify his
statement TO meet the criticisms of the
commission. AS for himself, he will make
no statement touching his purposes.
Today he was asked the plain question
as to whether or not he would comply with
the commissions suggestion. He declined
to commit himself, limiting his answer to
the statement that he had so far taken no
action. Nevertheless, as already indicated,
there is the best reason to believe that
when he has had opportunity to reflect
dlSpaSSiondtely he will amend the statement.
The document is very long, and the mere
mechanical work involved in altering it
to meet the needs of the case would con-
sumo some time, SO that it was perhaps not
to be expected that it could be returned
to the commission today, supposing that
Gen. Eagan were disposed to amend it.
Gen. Easan's Defense.
Although silent today, Commissary Gen.
eral Eagan consented to be interviewed
last night. When the subject of his testi-
mony before the investigating commission
was broached General Eagan first made it
clear that he and he alone was responsible
for the statements, both as to facts and
language Il had my own grievance" Cen
eral Eagan said. "A terrible charge was
brought against me. | was accused of
cheating, no, l mean l was accused of
Poisoning soldiers under the pretense of ex-
pertinent. If it had not been for that
charge l might not have spoken before the
commission as / did. For three weeks l
chafed under the charge of having poisoned
soldiers under the pretense yes under the
pretense of experimenting with chemicals.
If it had not been for this charge, perhaps
l would not have used such language be-
fore the commission. Let those that criti-
else my language be placed in the position
IN which | was placed; let them be charged
as 1 was charged and they win understand
my language better. 1t is the gored bull
that feels the pain
Interest of the COmmissiOners.
The affair was devoid of development at
the war investigating commission today
There was a great interest taken by the
members OF the commission in all the pub
lished statements, that have formed the
aftermath of the sensational scene of last
Thursday. Unofficially word reached the
commission that Gen. Eagan is carefully
expungtng the vituperative ard objection
able portions and would shortly send it
back to the commission. When received it
will be carefully scrutiniZed by the COM
mission, and if it be found that all ohjec-
tionable language is eliminated, will be
voted upon III executive session and ac-
cepted. The members of the commission
realize the structures that have been made
on the Indulgence of such language before
it, but feel that the course pursued in view
OF the possibilities of q controversy arising
as a sequence to any interference during
delivery, was the most dignifled and be st
that could have been adopted.
Specializing on the Outcome.
Opinions still vary as to whether the with
drawal of the offensive statements will end
this incident, and the weight of opinion
seems to be that the President himself and
Secretary Alger, in whose hands the cabi-
net rested the whole matter after its con-
sideratiOn yesterday, have not yet fully
made up their minds as to what course
they shall pursue. Much depends upon the
expression of public opinion.
General Miles came early to his office this
morning, but he had nothing to contribute
to the controversy. His position is, as al
ready stated, that the matter is one for
the War Department to treat and that it
is not incumbent upon him to make any
movement at this stage.
Secretary Alger at the White House.
Secretary Alger had an hours conference
with the President this afternoon, almost
certainly on the subject of the affair When
he left the White House he was asked if
the matter had been under discussion, and
If any action had been taken. He politely
said that he could not answer the question.
None of the visitors to the White House
during the day heard the President express
any purpose or intimate whether he will
take any action.
ENGLISH COMMENT,