The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-26

terview published in a New York news
paper, in which General Miles is alleged
to have severely criticised the commits
sary generals department, was authori-
tatiVe.
Extracts from the alleged interview
were also read and submitted as a part
of the record.
Colonel w. L. AIeGander, U. S. A.,
of the subsistence department, was the
first witness called by the defense. He
said he returned to Washington from
Jamaica on the morning of the day Gen.
Eagan gave his testimony before the
war investigating commission. General
Eagan, he says, was hastily going over
papers in connection with his testi-
mony and showed signs of great excite
ment.
General Eagan nervously handled the
papers and witness had rarely seen a
man in such nervous condition. HIS
manner was so exceptional that he ask
ed Colonel Davis of the commiSSary de-
partment, who was present, whether
the general was not ILL., He had been
intimately connected with General
Eagan, but never before had he seen
him in such a condition. General Mer-
ritt asked whether to his knowledge,
General Eagan had consulted any one
as to the substance of his testimony
to be presented to the commission. Col.
Alexander answered that so far as he
knew General Eagan had not.
WAS UNFIT FOR BUSINESS
Col George B. Davis, assistant to
CommisSary General Eagan, was the
next witness. He testified that he had
been very closely associated with Gen.
Eagan during the last several months.
He was in the office the day Gen. Miles
gave his testimony before the war COM
mission and as soon as Gen. Eagan
saw the published statement of his tes-
timony he became considerably excited
and wrote to Gen. Miles, asking as to
the truth of an interview published with
Gen. Miles.
AS time went on his excitement in
creased to such an extent that he did
not, and apparently could not, attend
to the routine duties of his office. Later
on Gen. Eagan reached such a state
that he could not attend to any busi-
ness. The day before Gen. Eagan ap-
peared before the commission he read
his statement over to the witness, who
urged him to modify it somewhat, but
he would not listen, and walking up and
down the room said he would not
change a word of it. Newspaper clip
pings were constantly being received
criticising Gen. Eagan and these greatly
increased his excitement. Some of these
clippings carried the idea that Gen.
Eagan was a murderer and that he had
acted corruptly in sending unfit food to
the army.
During these days the witness said
Gen. Eagan was wholly untitled to per-
form the ordinary duties of his office.
Up to this time the general had been a
hard worker and never before had eX-
hibited any signs of nervous strain
ASKED ADVICE.
In answer to a question, Col. Davis
said Gen. Eagan's conduct of his office
was perfectly honest and he had always
had the good of the soldier at heart,
more so than any other comniSSary
general of whom he had ever known or
heard. The witness, again referring
to Gen. Eagan's testimony before the
commission, said that he had not been
consulted in its preparation. but at the
generals request had supplied some of
the records. The general had asked him
at one time as to his judgment concern
ing the argument he had prepared for
the commission and witness had replied