The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-21
HE HAD NO PROOF
The NEWS AND OBSERVER CORRESP0N-
DENT DEMANDED FACTS TO
SUPPORT CHARGE.
Summoned to Division Headquarters, Mr..
Merritt Refused to Back Down With
cut Evidence and the In
teryiew Terminated.
terVieW terminated.

Jacksonville, Fla, June TO- Especially
The News and Observers defense Of
the North Carolina troops has created a
profound sensation here, both in mili-
tary and civilian circles. Copies con
tanning criticisms OH recent order max
ing grave charges against North Caro-
lima and other troops are sought for and
eagerly read. And every utterance, of
this paper touching the matter is en-.
dorsed not only by North Carohnians,
but by many of the people of jackson
vile.
General Arnold and his staff, however,
have naturally taken very different
view of the matter, and yesterday your
correspondent was summoned TO division
headquarters to answer for these criti-
cisms.
Capt Greble member of Gen. Ar
noids staff, claiming to represent that
officer, insisted with some show of tenn
per that every word of the order, so far
as ii related to North Carolina was true.
The News and Observer man declared it
was untrue and challenged proof to the
contrary Capt. Greble denounced the
defence of this paper as false and ma
Iicious. and warned its correspondent
that if he again criticised an officer the
War Department would be asked to
withdraw his pass. He was told that he
would probably have an opportunity
should another provOcation of the same
kind arise.
Capt. Greble was again asked to speci-
fy the time and place and name the in
diyidual North Carolinians who had been
engaged in the deeds of lawlessness
complained of in the order. This he re-
fused to do, and the interview was at
an end
The part of the order over which the
trouble has arisen is. in full. as follows
Numerous complaints have come TO
the division commander concerning de-
predations committed by men of the
First North Carolina, First Wisconsin,
Second Virginia and other troops of this
command. upon booths, gardens and 9th
or private property belonging to citizens
of this city.
Complaints have also been made that
enlisted men are begging OH the streets
and are consOrting with disreputable
characters"
When first printed in newspaper
these two paragraphs were one, ami
therefore the charges in the second para
graph were taken as referring specially
to the men of the three regiments named.
4 mis- Capt. Greble explained to some Of
the officers the other day is Il miscon-
struction of the order; that the North
Carolnians are, by name. charged only
with raiding booths, gardens and other
private property"
Asked yesterday what evidence he had
OF this ne refused to say, except that an
axe, marked IN. c." has been found in
one of the raided booths.
Your correspondents defense of the
North Carolina troops against the un-
founded charges is appreciated here in
and out of camp. He has shown that
no high rank can deter him from writing
in defense of men who. in the face Of
poor equipment and other discourage
ments to which they have been unneces-
sarily subjected have not complained or
held back from the best service to their
country.