The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-18
1D|INED BEEF
Nd COURT MARITAL.
0unmissary General Eagan
Is to Be Severely
Disciplined.
PRESIDENT TAKES ACTION.
lx1onnel Of the Court to Be An
nounced Today by Secre-
tary Alger-The Pen
atty Severe.
PRESIDENT TAKES ACTION.

BENNINGTON. Jan. 17.-Presldent Nc
nseiey announced 10 the cabinet at the
S.ettnx today that he had determined To
nSust-snartial Commissary General Ea-
- aecretary Aiger was not at the cab
- meeting but Adjt. Gen. Eorbin was
z fhk White House In conference with the
usstdent On the subject just prior To the
maan<f session
Fast prior 10 the cabinet meeting. Gen.
Iaes made rather an unusual cali upon
10 members Of the cabinet. Hay and
f1ru. He had just returned TO the city
fvxa New York aud when spoken TO with
refesencs 10 the Eagan case, adhered TO
= original declaration that this WAS no
t1ne for him to act, IL at ali. leaving the
inpsicaiisn that IL the committee did not
a. OF the administration. 1, would then
= time for him to take some steps.
Evef since Eagans sensational tesii-
pouy Was presented to the war invests
nrnG committee. the president has been
urefuliy celebrating over the matter.
apd has had frequent consultations with
uuy officials and others, regarding the
aeps that should be taken, for he was
caavinced from the outset that the aues-
ueu for consideration was, what action
sheuld be taken and not whether any dis
eipiinafy measures at ali should be taken.
Inday just before In. cabinet session.
b. ha1d q conference with the secretary OF
~ and the adjntant genera. II Was rot
bas b duration. but the setion TO follow
ngnns uttasances was decided on ana
sss the cabinet met the president an
Mn1o6 that he had reached decision
kMnAtter, He said he had determined
IN vas only one course 10 adopt and
d ~ TO order a oourt-martiaI 10 be
cuHo0 at once 10 try FSagan.
Dp1n1ls Left to Secretary Alger.
~ details OF the action were left TO the
aasfary OF war VINO had withdrawn just
~ TO the session. 10 return to the war
to11meut tn put In motion the machin-
~ 1cr converting the court While IL was
n definitely stated after the cabinet
D<5nE what specifications would b. maize
lokInst Eagan IL IL understood that the
eeanc charges on which he will be tried
~ BE- conduct unbeconiuK an officer and
Gentleman.
hnbers Of Court Not Decided On.
consrary 10 the general expectation no
WouDcement Of the personnel % the
ssft-martial was made at the war de-
utment up TO the close of business this
fesnoonA
! reply to a question. said that he had
ulhinG whatever to make public touch
II he Eagan case.
e19etary Aiger was absent from the
MSefore the close telephoned that he
- not return 10 his office during the
~ He spent the morning az the White
Aue- and leaving there Just before the
N1aet convened went to hts house with
40 Gen corbin and remained there
Avxs supposed that he was perhaps ar
nn1sng some of tho details OF the court
g this was only a guess.
he secretary is going To- New York
nsdnighf so that unless he acts upon
t.x.E D. ID 49,. ..F.
~ he delay until his return. The fact
~ secretary Aiger was not present ut
- cabinet meeting was seized az once
NJ sign Of trouble in the cabinet and
Nca rumor OF dIssensipns and IN
Msfnn on the part OF the war secretary
2 Nsign was afoat. There was no
sSndstien for these fn fact and Ssere-
~ Aixer's colleagues promptly and emf
ssiicatly denied them soon a. their
nsntton WIS drawn tn them
- the absence az the announcement ~
= eftan for the court III srtial there sas
VOL Zeal OF speculation as To It's cornpo-
Ilar general practice is for a ma
Mfu Of the court To souxiSt Of ths neers
euperaors in rank OF the defendant Tits
seasd make the task OF selecting a court
: s1fd one. because IL - necessary to ind
: maicisnt number az general officers
s-A&isE with a brigaiier general 10 make
y ,ssiraae court. Hut latitude = per-
1;ued the appointing authority IN such
ss.'ists The ninin article al war reads
"a o,tstst stStRs &a@n II can l-A avoid
= be Tried by officers inferior In rank =
- WI Ne noticed that the phrase ~ IL
aa p avoided leaves opportunity for the
~yussmsn, 81 Junior Officers THE men
~ " teai. Merritt 4 name president Of
st eaart-martia ~ 'ius "a the fact THAI
x the Only Available mo ter general Of
K fesuias army. ghr etAars being Gen.
s 1sass IN Cuba. and Gen. Niles, here.
vasseT heinT regarded "a apatlaaie The
.austs on Gen, Merritt are hoping iAaf Ae
=. aos DC selected, fearing thai hc .sil
{ srus~t o. prejudice by ore or perhapa
he psssa!,y fer the offenss for which
hsan probably will bss tried. COR
MHNA.fNs 4 q y. - 4 - q - - - -