Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-26

officer, in session at the Ebbitt House, and
endeavored to explain why and under what
circumstances he used the language ac-
credited to him in his testimony before the
commission appointed by President McKin-
ley to inquire into the conduct of the war.
It was not expected Gen. Eagan would
take the stand today but the inability of
other witnesses to appear in time neces-
STATED this step on the part of the de-
tense. The court met for its second days
session at 10 o'clock and the examination
Of witnesses continued for two hours. 1t
Is apparent the trial is rapidly drawing to
a close and may be concluded, so far as the
introduction OF testimony Is concerned, to-
morrow.
The morning was occupied by the defense,
and from the testimony of the witnesses
introduced the line of Gen. Eagan's case
will be to the effect that he was so wrought
up, SO exasperated and so excited over the
charges made against him by Gen. Miles
and taken up by the public and press he
was hardly responsible for the violent Ian
guage used in making his statement before
the war commission. The plea of immunity
will also be pressed, and upon these two
the defense will ask for an acquittal. So
far there has been no evidence, other than
Gen Eagan's statement before the commits
sion of inquiry, to support plea of iusti-
fication-
Gen. EaGan's Narrative
General Eagan was on the stand for
about half an hour. He was allowed to tell
his own story of the affair, the prosecution
refrainlng from cross-eXamination. At
times durirg his narrative Gen Eagan dis
played the excitement that it is alleged led
up to his outburst before the war commits
sion. The witness had the appearance of
being consumed by suppressed excitement.
and it was apparent there was an uneasy
feeling among the members of the court
and spectators All listened to the impas-
stoned utterances of the accused. Gen
Eagan is eloquent. and gave his testimony
In manner commanding the strictest at
tention.
Time and again Mr.. Worthngton would
interrupt his client just as it was evident
he was about to stray from the question
asked into a wider field of explanations
and causes and in the description OF his
feelings before he appeared at the war
commission. General Eagan declared he
wrote the statement that contained the
clauses forming the basis of the charges
on which he is being tried while laboring
under terrible strain of excitement; while
he was in state OF responsibility for his
actions in that regard while he was being
godded TO distraction and while he felt
there was nothing left for him in life If
he allowed the accusations brought against
him concerning the commissary stores for
the army to so uHchallenged and unre-
buked In strong language.
Secretary of War AIger will be called as
witness for the defense at tomorrow's
session IF the court-martial. 1t IS believed
he will testify as to his impression of the
immunity guaranteed all witnesses appear
Ing before the war investigating Commits
Zion.
An Exciting Session.
T0day's session of the court. while short.
sbounded in interest and excitement.
The court was quite prompt in assem-
bling this morning, General Merritt rap