The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-13

WASHINGTON. Jan. ls-commissary
General Charles III. Eagan today
reappeared before the war investigation
commission 10 answer the charges OF Gen.
Nelson A. Miles concerning the commits
sary supplies furnished the army during
the recent war.
Gsa- EaSan's statement has furnished
the sensation OF the war commissions his
tory. and is regarded by old army officers
as one Of the most remarkable attacks
ever made In the history of the service
Gen. Eagaus statement To the commission
was bitter personal attack upon Gen
Miles. So entirely unqualified as to scope
and language that the war commission
on hearing It's conclusion ordered a brief
executive session. after which the doors
were opened. the witness was recalled and
business resumed in the usual way
The subject In controversy was Gen.
Miles already famous ''ernbalmsd beer
testimony. and the letters and documents
supporting it. Gen. Miles had charged
that the canned and refrigerated meats
sent to the army in Cuba and Porto Rico
were unat for use: that they were pre-
served by the use Of chemicals, and that
they had been bought and sent to the
army under pFe;ense of an experiment"
Eaxan'a Cause for Anger.
This reflection upon both the ability and
honesty Of the commlssary department
had angered Gen. Eagan and caused him
10 request TO De called to reply to Gen.
Miles charges. That his statements con-
cerning the commanding general were not
the result Of a sudden outbnrst OF passion
was clearly shown by the fact that Gen
Eagan read his remarks from "A carefully
prepared typewritten copy. No, the least
remarkable phase Of Gen. Eagan's state-
ment was the language in which II was
coached. There was scarcely a phrase
,ha, would not have been characterized as
sensational 10 official utterances.
Gen. Eagsn. after the hearing was over.
refused TO say whether he had any further
move in prospect In forcing an Issue be-
tween himself and Gen. Miles.
Il have said al Intend ~ say for the
present. he replied. IF anyone wants 20
bring the matter 10 a court martial am
ready f0r that. ZOO "a I have already
stated before the commission"
Miles VIII Not Act Hastily.
As soon as the nature OF Gen. Eagan's
statements became known. attention was
directed 20 army headquarters 10 ascer-
tain what move would be made by Gen.
Miles The latter, through Col Micheier.
his ehses aid. beyond saying that he has
stood fer the soldiers 6ecllned 10 make
any statement. saying that now was not
the time for talk. and before taking any
action II would be only proper ana neees-
sary 70 wzis uata he had an opportunity
20 receive through ,he regular channels
and To consider the testimony furnished
hv Gen Eagan. He would sof talk about
A court martial. Altogether the int;maiion
construed WAS that Gen. Miles w3u4 set
with asiiheration (. re decided To take any
action s., ali: and there wss faint sug-
gestiou that ne might ignore :se safe
nlent altogether.
% course decision 20 that effect or
the par. os Cen Miles would terminus.
the incident. bait should he decide 70 take
notice officially of ,he attack, the next
step would hs FOR hin "a prefer charTss
with I've president against the eornusgssary
general. These might he based o7 several
technical grounds. such. sor lasiance ss
conduct tending 20 the destruction 81 soad
order ard discipline. Il would he .o7 ttse
president 10 pass upon the demand. ard
Re might adopt enc - three courses: Re-
g.sse II. grant Il. or Instead. order eanrt
es inquiry. In ,hts latter case re sc@ly
would have lhe power 20 go Into gAe 1ues-
tGoa u veraeliy whicA has hesn raised.
and Ia fast she caniuct of both Senarals
would be practically under sxan,l as.ton.
Civilian Was Chief Of stat
Ger Eaxaa began ~ cai1}ng attention -
Gen Miles appointment az Ma john n
nsack. a esvi9an. as case: of siaT. AMI
xassa that tals was .azseiy responsible for
The teo,sose shst seiiowo3 lie sad ;aat
Ma Black hzz heen furnished s. C.ss before
starting for Pofto Rsco and shat - haa
apparently not known sroagH 20 provide
Nsz7zgs vrlfA cheek t-ook an3 AAa rot
ssFt BIS signature wgtA tAe secretary *
fAe f~ea suFv scr raa2e any otber preIs1va-
g3on fer ava1iing himself es the fanEs ~
his command Tvher~ were experfenees
ssSharx1uS officers Ia Esse lsIaaa wa1 hAa la
,se aggregate cvs- syssfsas IN tassir possess
sson. ard Cseg- Mites aA8 eoFnplasme3 t@as
taese wvEa ~ s2xrssstVrs r. sac ts1an5s
- ;sas ss-aaSsrs aas ~ money ssta wAseA
& bssy faoS3 ssr themselves
tSea. Mi3es saa fheu cA1sst en- tAs 3@gzrt-
nsens 10 pss ssasa more il 'As aan3s os
Ma Back ana gasz ssen- Eagan declined
Ia 80. eust.ax sa8ass - A&t Blacks credit
in Mex EeFS
ssps f5aSAA fsserrs4 - tAe snks;egsSsss
IT,