The times., 1899-02-08
ing so under the .pretence of expert

ing SO under the 'pretence of expert
ment.'
The delivery of this obscene attack upon
the General Commanding the Army
created great excitement throughout the
country. The news was carried to Cen
eIal Miles. who said:
THAT billingsgate will do him no good.
and hardly merits response from me o.
the consideration of any right-minded peo-
pie. / will not say what action | shall
take, but one thing is certain. such IAN
guage is conduct unbecoming an officer and
a gentleman.
THE statements of officers and soldiers
by the thousands in different parts of the
country appear to conflict with the state
ments of certain commissary officers, pack
ers, and their employees. l have no reason
to discredit the statements of the brave
men who went to war and am quite will
ing to be on their side, and shall do what
believe to be for their interests and well
fare and to maintain their integrity and
honor
His Statement Returned.
The Alger Relief Commission on Friday
morning. January 13. returned to General
Eagan the copy of his statement. with the
following letter of transmittal:
dent to Investigate the Conduct of the War
Department in the War with SPAIN
Washington, January u, 1899.
To Brig. Gen. c. p Eagan, CommiSsary Gen
eral, War Department
Sir: We respectfully inform you that after
your testimony was read yesterday the following
resolution was unanimously passed:
Moved. That the Commission receive Cen
eral Eagans testimony without comment; that
1t be not printed at once, but held for the con
sideration of the whole Commission. Carried
Having now considered the question Involved,
We have determined that in many instances the
vtuperative language used by you was not such
as ought to have been addressed rs a witness
TO this board We think that the personal at
tacks and irrelevant statements contained in
the paper submitted should he eliminated, and
before receiving it testimony we request that
you will revise its language, and. if you choose.
resubmit it for consideration. We herewith
return your papers. Very respectfully.
CHARLES DENNY, Vice President.
General Eagan, on Monday. January 16.
submitted to the Alger Relief Commission
his amended statement with the following
letter of transmittal:
Office Commissary General of Subsistence.
Washington. Jan. II. 1899.
To the Commission Appointed by the President
to Investigate the Conduct of the War De-
partnent in the War with Spain:
Gentlemen | have the honor TO hand YOU here.
with my testimony, which is now rcsubmitted
and revised in accordance with the views cx.
pressed by you in your letter TO me of Janu-
AIRY l3. 1899.
The Objectionable features and what is consid.
cred irrelevant matter by you-in which opinion
entirely agree-are eliminated. In this con.
nection. desire TO state that there
thought or intention on my part of any disre
spect whatsoever to Your Commission; hut in
explanation and extenuation of the language used
by me heretofore, I beg TO invite the attention
of the Commission to the fact that I have beer
accused, practically. OF feeding the soldiers with
poisoned beef which made them sick embamet
beef so-called; that have furnished meat IL
the army under ''prctence of experiment" which
charge in effect is corruption and worse. because
| it jeOpardiZed the lives of soldiers sent to tn,
| front III tropical climates and who were de
| pendent such food was sent them; thai
| these statements have gone TO the whole countr,
uncontradicted; that they have been published
| and | have been pilloried in the press of tbs
| country a who had fed the army OF
| poisoned meat and corruptly so that for abou
| three weeks time | have kept silent for th'
| reason that was debarred. after talking with
| the honorable Secretary of War. from preferrine
| charges because OF the immunity granted by III,
| President to witnesses before your Commission
| notwithstanding the gravity Of these accusations
| that it is unreasonable TO believe that sucl
monstrous charges could have any other efec'
| that to work upon honorable man in such
/ way to goad him TO a species of desperation
/ and that il was but natural when the prope
opportunity given him to meet and refut
| the charges. that he should characterize them il
| harsh language and in terms that are deeme,
| improper no matter what the provocatiOn.
| therefore withdraw the language and matte
| so Objectionable, and resubmit to you now IN
sworn statement with the abiding faith that you
| Commission. having all the facts before you, vii
| decide the points at issue justly.
Very respectfully.
| CHARLES p. EACAN.
| Commissary General of Subsistence.