The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-18
TIE ARMY SCANDAL
President Mckinley Decides that a
Court Martial Is Necessary.
GENERAL EAGAN TO BE TRIED,
Charges VIII Be Conduct Unbecoming
an Officer and Gentleman.
SECRETARY OF WAR ALCER OvERRULED
OF WAR AlCER OyERRULED.
The President Realized that the American
People Demanded a Hearing.
GENERAL MERRITT IS LIKELY TO PRESIDE
some CABINET offccrs Think He
Might Resign In order 10 Esn,lc
the Responsibility of Trial. ii
Especial Dispatch 10 Tue Post. J

4
| Washington, January IL The Miles
Eagan scandal in The army is bearing its
| legitimate fruit. Ii is known that General
| Nger, secretary OF war, differed materially
| with the president, who determined to or
der court martial. and pleaded for a court
OF inquiry that would rebuke Miles as we'll
as Eagan. The president could not see IL
in this light because he believed General
Miles was the plaintiff In this case as
we'll as the American public. IIc had been
amply advised to this effect by some of
his closest friends. On account OF this
action on the part of the president, 1t Is
currently reported at the war department
today that Secretary Alger. Will resign
soon after the war investigation commits
sion has made lis report and his resigna-
ton will be promptly accepted. He eX-
poets vindcation from the war inyestigat-
ing commission and will then resign, be-
lieving that the general public VIII look
upon the manner in which he has, been
pilloried in the press as a4''grave intus-a
tice" because many incompetent e,rn re-
sponsible for army suiferings Sef, ap-
pointed over his head. agiv s
The fact that he was at the White i,ouse
today in consultation With the president,
but failed TO attend the cabinet meeting
later, ~ regarded as very significant and
leads [ the belief that his resignstbt 'yas
discussed with the president aud tLs vas
friction between, them engendered H. the
disagreement over tho Eagan case
AT the cabinet meeting the president did
not ask for the advice of his official fam
lily. He simply informed them that he had
decided to order a court martial to try
Commissary General Eagap for the abusive
and violent language be had used respect
ing Major General Nelson A.. Miles. while
on the witness stand before the war in
vestigating commission last Thursday.
Ever since the sensational event the presi-
dent has been carefully celebrating over
the matter and has had frequent consulta-
tions with army officers and others re-
garding the steps that should be taken,
for he was convinced from the outset that
the question for consideration was what ac-
ton should be taken and not whether any
disciplinary measures at all should be had.
Determination to take some action was
vigorously expressed at the last cabinet
meeting, but the president reserved final
decision.
Today, just before the cabinet session, he
held a conference with the secretary of war
and Adjutant General Corbin. 1t was not
long in duration. but the action to follow
General Eagans utterances was decided |
and when the cabinet met the president
announced that he had reached his decision |
in the matter. He said he had determined |
that there was only One course to adopt |
and that was to order "A court martial to |
be convened at once to try General Eagau.
The decision met the unanimous approval |
IF the members of the cabinet. Three of |
he presidents official advisers Secretary
Alger, Secretary Wilson and Postmaster
General Smth--were absent. but in each
Instance their views ara known to coin
tide thoroughly with the presidents de-
ison.
There was some discussion following
he presidents announcement. in which
he case was threshed to some extent,
hough the president himself took little
'art in this discussion. The details OF the
ction were left to the secretary of war.
Who had withdrawn just prior to the SEES
ion to return To the war department to
tut in motion the machinery for the con-
enng OF the court.
While II was not definitely stated after
he cabinet meeting what specifications
,ould be made against General Pagan, 1t
, understood that the sDecific charge nm !
hitch he will be tried will be conduct un-
ecoming an officer and gentleman
In anticipation Of the presidents action
djutant General Corbin had prepared the