The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-01-19
ARREST Fur EAGAN.
An Army Officer to Serve Notice
on Him Today.
HE WILL BE CoURTMARTIALED.
This Action Decided Upon by the Presi-
dent-oenersi Merritt spoken OF az
Probable President OF the Board-Dis-
hiissal Likely the Penalty.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.-The presi.
dent announced to the cabinet that he
had decided to order courtmartial tc
try Commissiary General Eagan for the
abusive and violent language he had
used respecting Major General Nelson
A. Miles while on the witness stand be.
fore the war investigating commission
last Thursday.
Before the cabinet session he held
conference with the secretary of war
and Adjutant General Corbin. IL was
not long in duration, but the action to
follow General Eagan's 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 tnat there was
only one course to adopt and that was
to order courtmartial to be convened
at once to try General Eagan. The de-
cision met the unanimous approval OF
the members of the cabinet. Three of
the presidents official advisers, Secre.
tary Alger, Secretary Wilson and Post
master General Emory Smith, were alb
sent, but in each instance their views
are known TO coincide thoroughly with
the presidents decision.
Secretary Alger spent some time at
his house with Adjutant General Cor.
bin. He left for New York late last
night.
The mention of General Merritt's
name as probable president of the court
was due to the fact that he is the only
available major general of the regular
army, the others being General Brooke
in Cuba and General Miles here. neithrr
regarded as available. The friends of
General Merritt are hoping that he will
not be elected, fearing that he will be
accused of prejudice by one or perhaps
both sides. The penalty for the ottense
with which General Eagan probably
will be tried, conduct unbecoming an
officer and a gentleman, is one OF the
most severe known in the army, being
dismissal.
Prior to the cabinet meeting General
Miles made rather unusual call upon
two members of the cabinet, Secre.
taries Hay and Long. He had just re
turned to the city from New York an
when spoken to with reference Co the
Eagan case adhered to his originI
declaration that this was not time Tor
him to act, if at all, leaving tNe impll.
cation that if the commission did n0l
act, or the administration, it woal
then be time for him to take some step
The commissary general, prior to the
cabinet meeting, said that he was pre-.
pared to accept Loyalty whatever action
the president might decide to take.
Secretary Alger confirmed the an
nouncement made by me mbers Of the
cabinet that courtmartial for the trial
of Commissary General Charles p.
Eagan would be ordered.
he made this statement as he was
leaving the White House, with Adju-
tant General Corbin, after a conference
OF half an hour with the president. As
to the charges to be preferred against
the commissary general, the secretary
declined to say anything nor would he
talk respecting the personnel of the
court, adding that this would be an.
nounced tonight about 9 o'clock. Cen
eral Eagan has not yet been relieved OF
his duties in anticipation of his pros
pective trial, but it is understood that
the order for his arrest preparatory TO
trial will of itself carry with it his re-
lief from official duties. 1t was said at
the war department that the order for
arrest may be served on General Eagan
by an officer of the army some time
during the official day today.