Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-13
READY FOR cOURT-MARTIAL
General Eagan Willing to Face Such q
Tribunal.
Gen. Miles Unwilling to Discuss the
Others Action what Gen.
Breckenridge Says.

Commissary General Charles P. Eagan's
statement yesterday before the war iL yesti-
eating commission in answer to the charges
of General Nelson A Miles, concerning the
commissary supplies furnished the army
during the recent war. is the sensation of
the war commissions history 1t is regard
ed by old army officers a. one of the most
remarkable attacks ever made in the his
tory of the service General Eagan's state
ment to the commission was a bitter per-
sonal attack upon General Miles so entire
ly unqualified both as to scope and Ian
guage that the war commission on hear
ing its conclusion. as stated in yesterdays
Star, ordered a brief executive session.
after which the doors were reopened the
witness was recalled and business resumed
in the usual way.
That his statements concerning the COM
manding general were not the result of a
sudden outburst of passion was clearly
shown by the fact that General Eagan read
his remarks from a carefully prepared
typewriter copy.
Not the least remarkable phase of Cen
eral Eagan's statement was the language
in which it was couched. There was
scarcely phrase that would not have been
characterized sensational in an ordinary
official utterance.
General Eagan after the hearing refused
to say whether he had any further move
in prospect in forcing an issue between
himself and General Miles.
u have said all L intend to say for the
present. he replied, land If any one wants
to bring the matter to court martial am
ready for that, too, as | have already
stated before the commission
Gen. Miles Declines to Talk
As soon as the nature of General Eagan's
statements became known attention was di-
rected TO army headquarters to ascertain
what move would be made by General
Miles. The latter, through Colonel Michler
his chief aid. beyond saying that he had
stood for the soldiers, declined to make
any statement. saying that now was not
the time for talk, and that before any ac-
ton it would be only proper and necessary
to wait until he had had an opportunity
to receive through the regular channels
the testimony furnished by General Eagan
He would not talk about a court-martiaL
Altogether the intimation conveyed was
that General Miles would act with delibera
ton if he decided to take any action at all
Should he decide to take notice officially
OF the attack the next step would be for
him to prefer charges with the President
against the commissary general These
might be based on several technical
grounds, such, for instance. as conduct
tending to the destruction of good order
and discipline.
II would be for the President to pass upon
the demand and he might adopt one of
three courses; lie, refuse it. grant it, or
order a court of inquiry In this latter case
lHe Douy Wouiu nave the power to go into
the question Of veracity which has been
raised, and. in fact, the conduct of both
generals would be practically under exami-
nation.
What Gen. Breckenridge Says.
Inspector General Joseph C. Breckenridge
of the army. speaking of General Eagan's
testimony before the war investigating COM
mittee, replied to that portion which re-
fers to General Breckinridge's activity in
prosecuting the beef investigation. General
Eagan said Breckenridge had no authority
to make this investigation without orders
from the Secretary of War. Referring to
this General Breckenridge said that he
understood the matter he was simply carry
ing out his duties. though he admitted that
he understood the legal point General
Eagan was making.
T Il have been sending letters to all the
inspectors general in the country, asking
them whether they received any of the
bad beef, General Breckenridge said, land
l have also written to the surgeon general
whose reply I received today. This l have
done at the order of General Miles. my
superior officer. and l believe that I am
simply carrying out my duty. General
Eagan seems to think that I must receive
my orders from Secretary Alger, but l do
not think that he is right