Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-17

nouncement the cabinet officials in gen.
eral way giving their approval to the de-
cfsiOn, that having been their opinion at
the cabinet meeting last Friday as then
announced in The Star. The understand
Ing was that the order for the court-mar-
tiaI would be issued from the War Depart
ment this afternoon or tomorrow. The
President did not state who would be Sc
lected to sit on the court, and it was not
known at the cabinet meeting whether the
court has been made up.
Detail for the Court-MartiaI
The probability is that the officers to
compose the court were selected at a con-
ference at the White House this morning
Secretary Alger and General Corbin taking
part. The President had a list submitted to
him OF the proper officials for this work
Secretary Alger was in conference with the
President from 10 o'clock this morning until
shortly before the cabinet met He did not
attend - cabinet meeting. not returning
to the White House after his departure.
just as the cabinet members were leaving
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn went to the
Executive Mansion and was admitted 10
the Presidents room.
The President did not make extended
comment in announcing his decision to the
cabinet. He said briefly that he thought
only one consistent with his duties as
cCmmander-in-chief of the army and as
President.
a cabinet officer said later that he was
gratified at the determination reached.
Any other decision might have subjected
the President to unpleasant comment and
led to charges of sympathizing in some
way or another with the bitterness which
IS known to exist among certain officials
of the War Department. He characterized
the Presidents action another Indication
Of the good Judgment of the chief executive
and OF his fearlessness in enforcing the
laws.
Gen. Miles Returns.
1t was the general belief in department
circles that the case of the commissary
general would be settled at the cabinet
meeting today. and therefore there was a
disposition in some quarters TO attach sig
nihcance 10 rather unusual call made
just prior to the meeting by Gen Miles
upon two Of the members of the cabinet
Secretary Hay and Secretary Long The
general had just returned to the city from
New YORK, and when spoken to with refer
ence TO the kagan case, contented himself
with adhering 10 his original declaration
that TINS was no. time for him to act If
al all, leaving the implication that if the
commission did not act or the administra-
tion. il would then be time for him 20 con-
slder als course of action. 1t was stated at
the Navy Department that Gen. Miles call
on the Secretary was purely social
Gen. Eagan Reticeut.
The commissary general was on duty at
his office this morning, and business was
apparently going along in the usual way.
although it was noticed that there were
more callers upon Gen. Eagan of the official
class namely. officers of his own corps.
than is usually the case. He also declined
TO talk about his case in any phase stat
ing simply that be is prepared to accept
Loyalty whatever action the President
might decide TO take.
Composition of the Court.
There is considerable speculation in re-
gard to the composition of the Eagan
oourt-martial Under the law it must con-
sist OF not less than five nor more than
thirteen members, a majority of whom
must be Of equal or higher rank than the
accused ohcer- 1t seems to be generally
accepted That Mai. Gen. Merritt who next
10 zen Miles. is the ranking officer of the
army, VIII be president of the court and
that Col Clous Of the Judge advocate pen
ia department (brigadier general of vol
court VI 'iie
1,,.7 Gen Merritt commanded the army in the
fhhpplnes at the outbreak of the Sranish
war and IS now in command of tha M
Paftment of the East, with headuuartars
al New 1o-k. Gen. CIous has recenfiv
served in Havana as secretary of The ~;
Dah evacuation commission. He is q broth
Sr-In-iaW Of Adjt. Gen. Corbin Mai Cen
wade. president Of the Cuban eyacustion
commission. who is now in this city, is also
bership. 1O' iiieiH-
Cher officers mentioned as likely of
stl'CHoH tor membership are Gen. FlagIer.
S.l-rl 'L 0fdnanGe and Gen Greely. chief
s-EhaI ohlcer- The other bureau oficsrs
aie hof considered eligible for various rSa
soiia- zen Wilson, chief of engineers is
member OF the war Investigating commits
SION, and Inspector Gen. Rreckinridpe
Quarternasier Gen. Iudington and Surgeon
Gen; SternberE are more or less Interested
III me proceedings before the war iuyesti-
gazing board. Paymaster Gen. Stanton is
on the sick list.
In view of the limited number of avail
abe ofhcers in the regular army it is likely
lhat recourse will be had TO the volunteer
army IN getting a complement of officers of
me highest rank. In that event II Is NOT
IMPOSSIBLE that Ma Gen. Butler Mai Gen
" hSei'r' hflg. Gen Guenther. Brig. Gen
S'H"iH. Gen. BabcOck and Gen. Boyuton
may he Oh, sen.
Previous Exhibition.
Gen EaSan's exhibition OF ternper before
the war inv -tigating commission has re-
NNed interest in letter written by him TO
the editor Of the New York journal of
Comm'r rec in July last. Of which the fol-
lowing IS copy:
SIT; clipping from your paper of July
O. ls'S. In reference to the character of
goods shipped by western packers and
stating that complaints are being made
from the front Of spoiled meats and stating
that the meats are passed by the inspectors
ana shipped to the army when both dealers
anu government inspectors attention had.
beSh called to it, and that they admit il
VIII nt hied with shippers before it reaches
tampa ana INT for food. and that the IN
SpgctuTS hgxr
the outrage, and that dealers denounce il
as an outrage TO treat soldiers who have
lett good homes and positions TO serve
their country in this manner TO enrich nm
patriotic contractors is received at this
office. ~
1T was sent by a man called Beni. II.
Roundey who. when called TO account hy
Col. Woodruff for having utilized the ar
ucle from your paper without investiga-
ton. takes refuge In the cowardly state
ment that he had no personal knowledge
he ms IL