The record-union., 1899-01-14
The War Investigation Commission
Passes a Resolution
Censuring the Commlssary 6eneral for the
Language He Used
When He Appeared Before the
Board to Answer Charges Made
Against His Branch of the
Army by Major General Miles.

Army by Major General Miles.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-There was
no abatement in the interest exhibited
here to-day in all the incidents con-
nected with the bitter attack made
yesterday by Commissary General Ea-
gan upon General Nelson A. Miles. AS
might have been expected, matter
of this official consequence was sure
to attract the attention of the Presa-
dent, and, in consequence, a greater
part of the session of the Cabinet to-
day was given to it's consideration
The principals in the case, Generals
Miles and Eagan, contributed little
during the day to the controversy, but
the War Commission to-day acteo
promptly to redress the affront put
upon the board itself, as the members
regarded it, contained in the decisive
language used by General Eagan-
Their letters returning this latter
statement did not indicate positively
whether or not they would receive it
as evidence even though the objection
able language was excised, nor did
General Eagan himself give any sign
of any intention on his part to avail
himself of the offer made by the Board.
His friends did not hesitate to intimate
that he would expunge the objection
able language but he would not say
anything for himself and any intima
ton on that score must be obtained
from the board itself
The War Department officials are
not yet clear as to what would be the
effect of a withdrawal or modification
of the statements. One element holds
that officially the record failing to
show that any Objectionable language
had been used, there would be no legal
onense. Another takes the view that
while the amendment of the statements
would mitigate General Eagan's offense
it would not wipe it out. Another
aspect of the case is the bringing for
ward of the plea of exemption which
was guaranteed in the name of the
President to all witnesses before the
board, from what they might say, but
again the officials were divided, and
this was also true of the members of
the Cabinet, as to whether the exeinp-
ton would be claimed in this partic-
ular case.
Meanwhile, General Miles is appar-
emily waiting for the War Department
to act, taking the position that it is
incumbent upon it and the War Com
mission to protect the army from such
attacks.
In the excitement created by this in
cident, the pending issue before the
commission, the quality of the army
beef, was we'll nigh lost sight of.
There are, however, two piquant addi-
tons to that part of the proceedings,
one consisting of the testimony of
General Wood to the effect that no one
who amounted to anything had made
any complaint as to the rations, and
the other from Theodore Roosevelt,
making a very severe complaint re-
garding the beef
EAGAN CENSURED.
WASHINGTON, JAM 13-The War
Investigating Commission to-day pass
ed resolution of censure of General
Eagan for the language he used yester-
day. when he appeared to answer the
charges made against the commissary
branch of the army by Major General
Miles, and returned to him the care
fully prepared typewriter statement
which he left with the commission,
after reading it to that body. The fol-
lowing is the text of the letter ordered
by the inquiry committee to be sent
to Gen. Eagan:
"Brigadier General Charles Eagan,
Commissary General, War Depart
ment: We respectfully inform you
that after your testimony was read
yesterday, the following resolution was
unanimously passed:
Moved that the Commission receive
General Eagan's testimony without
comment; that it be not printed at
once. but held for consideration of the
Commission. Carried.
Having now considered the cues
tions involved, we have determined
that in many instances the vitupera-
tive language used by you was not such
as ought to have been addressed as
q witness to this board. We think
that the personal attack and irrelevant
statements contained in the paper SUBJ
mitted should be eliminated, and be-
fore receiving it as testimony we re-
quest that you will revise it's language,
and if you choose, resubmit it for our
consideration. We herewith return
your papers. Very respectfully,
CHARLES DENNY,
"Vice-President.''
EAGAN MAY ESCAPE COURT
MARTIAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Army cir
cles this morning had scarcely recov-
cred from the shock caused yesterday
by the statement of Commissary Gen
eral Eagan. Still, in the consideration
of the matter, the officers had reached
the point where they began to appreci-
ate the real gravity of the event, and
to understand that it was not to be
discussed lightly and without due
thought of the consequences, the case
being one entirely without precedent
in the military history of our country
Therefore, there was notable disin-
cldnation on the part of officials to ex-
press for publication any opinion on
the merits of the case. This was true
from Secretary Alger down to the low
est command officers, but privately il
was evident that nearly all regretted
the incident and deplored it as cal
culated to injure the whole army.
1t was pointed out that the immedi-
ATE effect would accentuate more
sharply the division of the army into
two camps. and thus injure the