The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-21

Tuesday announced at the cabinet
meeting shortly after IL assembled for
its regular Tuesday session that he had
decided 10 order court-martiai TO try
Commissary General Eagan for the
abusive and violent language he had
used respecting Maj. Gen. Nelson A.
Miles. while on the witness stand be-
fore the war investigating commission
last Thursday.
No Trouble In the Cabinet.
Contrary TO the general eNpecta-
ton no announcement Of the personnel
of the Eagan court-martlal was made
at the war department up to the close
OF business Tuesday afternoon. Adj..
Gen. Corbin at the last moment. in re-
ply TO question. said that he had moth
ing whatever 10 make public touching
the Eagan case. The fact that Secre-
iary Alger was not present at the cab!-
ne. meeting was seized AT cnce MS sign
OF trouble in the cabinet and soon the
usual rumor OF Discussions and an in
tention on the part OF the war secre-
tary TO resign was afoat. There was
no foundation for these. in fact and
Secretary Ayers colleagues promptly
and empha;ically denied them rs soon
as their attention was drawn TO them.
Penalty Il Dismissal.
The penalty for the affense with
which Gen. Eagan probably will be
tried, conduct unbecomiLg an officer
and a gentleman. is one of the most Sc
we're known in the army, being dismiss
sal. Article CT reads ms follows: ANY
officer who is convicted Of conduct un-
becoming an officer and a gentleman
shall be dismissed from the service. I"
If the court shall find Gen. Eagan
guilty. even with extenuating circum-
stances. they must attach this sentence.
and then the only hope for the officer
would be in the exercise of clemency
by the president. based. perhaps upon
the courts recommendation.
Merritt May Preside.
In the absence OF the announcement
OF tie detail for the court-martial there
was n good deal Of speculation as to its
composition. General practice is for a
majori;y OF the cour, TO consist OF the
peers or superiors in rank OF the de-
PENDANT. This would make the task
Of selecting a court hard one. because
1t is not easy 10 find sufficient number
OF general officers ranking with a brig
adler general 10 make up desirable
quota. But latitude is permitted the
appointing authority In such selec-
lions as the ninth article Of war reads:
"No officer shall. when IL can be avoid
ed. BE tried by officers inferior in rank
II will he noticed tina. the phrase III Il.
can be avoided" leaves opportunity for
the appointment OF junior officers. The
mention OF Gen. Merritt's name as
president OF the court was due 10 the
fact that he Is the only available major
general Of the regular army. the Others
being Gen. Brooke In Cuba and Gen.
Miles here. neither regarded rs avail.
able. The friends OF Gen. Merritt are
hoping that he will not be selected.
fearing that he will be accused OF pref
udice by one or perhaps both sides.
Confirmed by AIger.
Secretary Alger has confirmed the
announcement made by members Of
the cabinet that court-martial for the
trial OF Commissary General Charles Z.
Pagan would be ordered. Gen.
Eagan has not yet been relieved OF his
duties in anticipation of his prospective
trial. but il Is understood that the or
der for his arrest preparatory to trial
will of itself carry with il his relief
from official duties.
1t was said at the war department
that the order for arrest may be served
ON Gen. Eagan by an officer OF the army
some time during the official day to-
morrow. This then will enable him TO
make formal application for the priv
ilege OF going beyond the limits in
which he ordinarily would be confined,
and permit him 20 come 10 the depart
ment or 10 go 10 any other place TO
which he may find IL necessary.
VIII Accept Amended Statement.
Washington, Jan. 1S.-The war in
vestigating commission Tuesday de
cided TO make public the amended
statement fled by Commissary General
Eagan Monday. The commission per-
mitted the representatives OF the press
TO read the statement. and 1t was for
mally announced 10 the newspaper men
that Gen. Eagan had eliminated all OBJ
| jectiouable statements. and therefore
the document would be accepted OIL
chilly by the commission as evidence.
As already stated, the changes made
by Gen. Eagan in the document are
mainly in the line of excisiou. yet the
phrasfology has been also altered fire.
quentiy. lie refers to- Gen. Miles ms
the Senior Maj. Gen. Nelson a. Miles.
and while keeping strictly within the
line of propriety. in the judgment OF the
commission. In negative manner. al
least, he resents any assumption oi
Gen. Miles superiority aud asserts that
he Is ms good. as old and as experienced
n soldier as Gen. Miles. lie also criti
cises the 'latter's attack on the beef in
dustry as infamous. IL is believed thai
so far as the commission is concerned
| the incident Is now closed.
The Philippines Commission.
Washington, Jan. ls.-President Nc