The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-13

ever was. have gained flesh and have
a good color. am completely cured Of
irregularity."
per attacks, asserted that the secretary
of war had nothing whatever to do
with the furnishing of refrigerated
meats or timed meats, nor had he at
tempted to control the contracts,
awards or purchases, and in this con-
nection, in heated language, he at
tackled three New York newspapers
and their editors and proprietors,
whom, he said, should be indicted and
tried for treason to the United States
during this war, as giving aid, COM
fort and information to the public en-
ally for the sole purpose of gain.
Were l a man of wealth CIR means, -
he protested, 81 would take up this
subject myself; would put journals
tic knaves, purloiners of the secrets of
the government, behind bars, where
they belong"
BRECKENRIDGE ATTACKED.
General Eagan made a vigorous at
tack on the inspector generals depart
ment, in connection with this investi-
CATION.
inspector General breckenridge he
rect to officers of my department, call
ing for reports to him about the various
articles of food furnished during the
past year to the army. He does this
without the authority of the secretary
of war. In effect, we have in these
two officers of the army-(;eneral Miles
and General Breckinridge-who take
upon themselves to investigate matters
pertaining solely and exclusively to the
CO. Of Of xr-,~ 70 ~.,IT fAr. r..
reports, and to do this directly, not
through the adjutant general Of the
army, but direct, and without the
knowledge of the secretary of war or
the adjutant general of the army.
General Breckenridge has also adj
dressed, am credibly informed, sim
liar letter direct TO the surgeon general.
l and my department, who are con-
cerned in this matter, are being tried.
not with sworn evidence. nor with CD
portunity to confront the witnesses,
still less the opportunity to refute :nv
statements made, because hey refer to
things gone; to things consumed, things
not II existence, and therefore. every
one is given a free hand and free Ii
cense to comment as hey Elease, be-
cause OF the inability TO refute with
any evidence whatsoever. the state
ments that have been made by people
be cOntrOverted, because the evidence
in the case is opt of existence"
General Eagan said it appeared from
the seeking of these reports that the
subordinates were inspecting their su-
perior, trying him by ex Darte re..arts
obtained at their own instance.
IGNORANCE OF MILES.
He referred to the reports from Of
Gcers and submitted by General Miles
as irresponsible statements, and said
that few army officers would take 40
vantage of the situation to make state
ments which they knew there was no
power nor means upon when 10 dis
prove, because the substances they
speak of nave passed out OF existence,
the proofs are gone. One OF these Of
fcers gees outside to tell you about
competition fer contracts and what
was used in canning, both things With
out mis- possible knowledge. l. General
Miles had informed himself as much
about the army ration as ne pretends
to have informed himself about refrig-
Grated beef. which he falsely calls en-
balmed beef then he should have been
enabled to inform you that this very
timed beef we are speaking of has been
a part of the army ration since Feb. S.
1888. Whether General Miles is ignor-
ant CT this, I DO not pretend to say, bur
he taxes = upon himself, y hen asked
who fixed 1t as a part of the army rg-
ton, to say: You will have tn ask some
one here in Washington This inpnca-
ton shows how reliable his statements
ere"
Having traversed General lilies
statements, he said: Having shown
him 10 you rs having been ! liar, Eav-
ing demonstrated the animus which
pervades this whole matter, so back
10 his statement that, in his Judgment,
food was one of the serious causes of
SO much sickness and distress Of the
troops. The design to say, to Imply,
to assert. to insinuate, that sickness
was caused from such reason in Puerto
Rico, is to make an assertion wholly
untrue, devoid of facts and devoid of
truth, and can only be prompted by a
base motive and under cover OF TIE
in my judgment
Questioning General Miles course in
submitting briefs Of reports from reg
mental commanders, General gan
said the course is unprecedented in the
history CT the army. not within his
province, nor contemplated by law and
regulation, and there would ne just as
much justice in the president or secre-
tary of war sending out a circular let
ter inviting criticisms on the conduct
of General Miles during this war.
His own (Eagan's) conduct and work
had been looked into; he saw no reason
why General Miles work 9nd conduct
should not be looked into on this show
ing, adding: 1T is high time and proper
that this committee should examine
into the truth and falsehood If the
statements and examine into his con-
duct of the war;
EXCUSE FOR HARSHNIsSS.
General Eagan concluded as follows:
IF l have used harsh language before
this commission in dealing with the
subject, I ask the commission 10 bear
IN mind the grouping together OF the
made by General Miles
means that ] have furnished or allowed
10 be furnished to the army embalmed
beef, which has diseased soldiers, and
that a great deal of sickness arose from
is use; that [ have furnished meats to
he army under 'Dretense Of experi-
nent' meats that made the soldiers
sick, and this under the pietense of ex-
pertinent this because OF corruption.
Nearly all the press of America. be-
cause of General Miles nigh position
n the army, has accepted these views
md his statements, and many Of them