The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
THE EAGAN eeURT-MARTIAL.
Conjec:ures About the Presidents
Action On the Verdict.


One OF the first questions to be deter
mined by the Eagan court-mart,aI WIN
it assemblies here next Wednesday viii b.
whether the trial shall be public or held
behind closed doors. In view OF the varied
and vast accumulation of war scandals
with which Secretary Ayers department
is already contending. there are certain
war officials who have already declared
themselves in favor of secret s. ssions of
the court which will try Commissary Cen
eral Eagan.
Whether this element viii prevail and
convert the sessions into a star chamber
affair cannot be foretold, as the question
lies entirely with the court Itself. II
precedent is followed the trial will be n
open door affair. were those OK Major
Armes, Captain Carter and other famous
cases, in which prominent army officers
were involved.
Rooms in which the court will SIT have
been secured at the Ebbitt House. where
several of the leading members Of that
body have secured quarters
General Eagan spent about two hours in
his Office at the War Department yester-
day securing data to be used at his trial.
He also consulted with his attorney. Mr.
A. S. Worthington, former district at
torney.
COi- btOl St DAVIS WHO VIII De Judge
advocate of the court was also at
the War Department yesterday. he con-
ferred with Secretary Alger. Judge Adyo-
cate General Lieber and other officers con-
nected with the case. Certain army Off
GERS expressed the belief last night that
General Eagans efforts to have General
Miles summoned before the court as wit
ness viii come to naught. They say the
court viii not consider or attempt TO de-
10 rHaaT
and Eagan in relation TO embalmed and
rotten beef. but will confire itself to the
violent and vItuperative language which
Easan employed in his statement before
the Alger Relief Commission. For this
reason these officers believe General Miles
will not be summoned as a witness
The statement of Eagan's friends in the
War Department that he will plead ''exas-
peration,' mental excitement and
great provocation'' is causing some
amusement among army officers. One OF
them said last night:
1t Will be the coolest and most DELHI
crate piece OF evaporation and mental ex-
element on record when we consider that
General Eagan carefully drafted his state
ment and then had it typewriter. Such
mental excitement can truly be said to bs
OF the stereotyped or cold type ORDER
General Eagan's friends are eonsoIing
themselves with the belief that should he
plead guilty to the charges. as they say he
will. and the court sentences him to be
dismissed from the army, his associates
Alger and Corbin. Will induce the Presi-
dent to mitigate the sentence to simple
reprimand and suspension from duty until
the time arrives when he will be eligible
for the retired list. There are other army
officers who take a different view of the
outcome They do not believe Mr.. Nc
Kinley will be so insincere. After order
inr H. 1000. -+=-z -e5-s--t cSCTrtdry
Ayers protest to try most fragrant yio-
lation OF military law. they say the Presi-
dent will not deliberately set aside it's
verdict.
fidently believed will permanently succeed
General Eagan as Commissary General
will probably reach Washington this even
ing and take charge OF Eagan's department.
tomorrow morning