The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-18


dent announced TO the cabinet shortls'
after It assembled for Its regular Tues
day session that he had decided TO order
court martial to try Commissarv
General Eagan for the abusive and vlo-
lent language he had used respecting
Major General Miles while on the wit
ness stand before the war Investigating
commission last Thursday.
Ever. since the sensational event the
president has been carefully celebrating
over the matter and has had frequent
consultations with army officials and
others regarding the steps that shoul 1
be taken, for he was convinced from
tile outset that the question for con-
slderation was what action should be
taken and not whether arV disciplinary
measures at all should be had. 4 de-
termination to take some action was
vigorously expressed at the last cabl-
net meeting, but the President reserved
final decision. To-day, just before the
cabinet session, he held q conference
with the secretary Of war and Adjutart
General Coroln. II was not long In dura-
ton, but the action to follow General
Eagan's utterances was decided and
when the cabinet met the President an
rounced that he had reached his de-
cision in the matter. He said that ne
had determined that there was only one
course TO ndopt and that was to order
a court martial to be convened at once
to try General EaDan.
The decision, which was reached only
this morning, Notwithstanding reports
that court martial had been decided
on ycs:erdaS, met the unanimous ap-
proval G: the members OF the cabinet.
Three OF the Presidents official advisers
Secretary Alge:, Secretary Wilson and
Postmaster General Emory Smith, we're
absent, but In each instance their Views
are known to coincide thoroughly with
the Presidents decision. There was
some discussion following the Presi I.
dents announcement. In which the case
was threshed over Ito some extent,
though the President himself took little
part In this discussion.
Left to Secretary of War.
The details OF the action were left TO
the secretary OF war, who had with
drawn Just prior to the session to re-
turn to the war department to put in
motion the machinery for the conven-
ing cs the court. While it was not def
initelT stated after the cabinet meeting
what Specifications wonll be made
against Genera iEagan. 1t Is understood
that the specific charge on which he Will
be tried will be conduct unbecomIng m
officer and 4 gentleman. The personnel
OF the cours was not taker, up, that
phase OF the action being held to be
not n cabinet matter. but one that rested
between the President and the secre-
tary OF war. The understanding, how
ever. was that the orders for the court
would be issued within Il few hours.
probably before the close OF tha depart
ment this afternoon. General Wesley
r. Merritt. former commander in cllIet
of the Philippines. has been mentioned
as likely to preside over the court, and
q cabinet official said to-day he would
net be, surprised at General Merritt's
designation.
4 Contrary 20 the general expectation
no announcement OF the personnel OF
the EaSan court martial was made nj
lns war department up to the close OF
business this afternoon.
Algcr Refuses to Talk.
i Secreta:y Alger tonight confirmed
the announcement made bv members OF
the cabinet to-day that court martial
for the trial of Commlssary General
Charles P. Eagan would be ordered. He
made this statement as he was leaving
the White house with -Adjutant General
Corbin after 4 conference OF half an
hour with the President. AS to the
charges to be preferred against the
commissory general the secretary de-
clined TO say anything. nor would he
talk respecting the personnel of the
court. adding that this would be an
nounced Tomorrow night about 0
O'Clock. General Eagan has not yet
been relieved OF his duties in antlcipa-
ton OF his prospective trial, but II Is
understood that the order for his arrest
perpetrators TO trial will Of Itself carry
wlth,it his relief from official duties.
1t was said at the war department to-
day that the order TO: arrest may be
served on General EAgan by an officer
OF the army some time during the otfl-
cial dag tomorrow.