The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-25

South's Dend.
Washington. May 24.-Tho Sunday
star or to-day prints tho following
story:
story fun OF resentment by the
.'fahd Army OF the Republic against
president Wilson may come about as
u consequence of his having excused
himself from attending the exercises
10 be held at Arlington National Gene
very Memorial Day, May 80, according
10 statements made by q. A. r. men In
Washington last night
me -. a. X men began to take worry
much to heart the Presidents dccliuntion
~ De present at their Memorial Day
exercises nv soon NJ they learned that
Inc committee on arrangements for
the unveiling Of the monument to tho
confederate dead had announced that
l'tcsident Wilson viii be present at
ms latter event and speak when 1t
takes place ut Arlineton NATIONAL
Cemetery June 1.
q. A. IL. Men Disturbed.
The 6. y. Il. men began last night
10 DC openly disturbed and anxious an
10 the Presidents attitude in declining
the Invitation OF the O. A. r. and ac-
ceptnng that OF the Confederate vet
Grams. DR. j. *. Glccson, commander
Of the Department OF the Potomac Of
the Star that lie intends TO do every
thing IN his power 10 persuade Wash
ington Gardner. former Representative
IN Congress and now COMMUNICATIVE
chief or the q y. r.. not TO make tho
speech he Is scheduled to make n AR
lington I'm connection with tho ccrc-
ihonials to be held when the Confcd-
crate monument is unveiled Juno a.
Or. Gleeson said he spoke not only
Tor number Of other q. y. Il. men In
Washington. and. he said. he was cure.
Tor number Of other 81. y. II. men who
have been invited lie said that al
though no has been invited to be pres
cnt at the Confederate exercises June
4. he does not intend personally to be
present. Colonel John McElroy. com
mandcr Of Post -. ,, also said he had
heard number OF q. IL X. men who
have been Invited to be present express
their intention OF ahsenting themselves.
and expected that he also would stay.
away.
Reunion Mny lie Cioudcd.
1T seemed certain last night. judging
from the statements of those who have
knowledge Of the subject, and were
willing TO discuss IT. that the great re-
union OF the Blue and ;hc Gray which
had been planned for the monument un-
yelling exercises at Arlington June s..
VIII bc cloudcd to "a considerable extent
NY the ie.tlNE tUScn1Glcu among the
G.. A. Il. men over the Presidents re-
fusal to 20 TO Arlington FOR the q. A
X. event May 30.
- extended the Invitation to Presi-
dent Wilson TO he present at Arlington
Memorial Day. DR.. Gleeson said last
night. i wrote TO the White House
and asked for the interview which
WAS granted. and with me ut the time
Were O. III. Oldroyd. assistant adjutant-
general. 6. Il. X. and l.. Il. Holbrook.
past department commander. 81. ~ II.
We have had at the Arlington Memorial
Day exercises every one OF President
Wilson's predecessors. We Invited him,
TOO. last year. We got no satlsta elton
then. He said he would see II he could
make it oouvenien, TO be present, but
when the time approached he went
automobilinR through Virginia.
Declines Invitation.
'Ar consequence OF that, II l had
consulted my own feelings this year.
should not have !ntruded upon the
President this year with an invitation.
bat wc felt that his Office deserved
everything we could do. and 40 ] went
IL the White House. presenting cor
dial invitation TO be present this year
President Wilson told me ne would
like TO go TO Arlington. bat, In view
Of the condition OF public affa!rs-Mex-
ico-wIth no probability that matters
would be settled before May 80 he
thought II inudv!snblc
The Pres!den, said h. could not GO
20 Arlington without speaking, and he
could not speak without referring TO
the time FOR mo 10 have anything to
asy on public questions
II urged upon him tho fact that "a
great many people think Il possible.
some proba bic, that he Viii yet nave to
call on the young men OF this country
% 1atn l,s. L., ...sl .
by your presence at Arlington on such
an occa sion. you show tina; you are In
sympathy with the o. y X. aud what
IT stands for. that might be an inspira-
ton to these young men, whether YOU
speak or not
"Tha President said, Yes, but you
know the public is very critical. and l
do not think II would le a good thing
for me 10 speak around this time
Position Not Understood.
Now, We men OF the G.. y. K. feel
that II the President could not go to
Arlington May 80 and speak safely.
how can he so June and do SO?
AT Arlington. after all. we do not
deal with current events. Such an oc-
cas!on as that we wished him TO at
tend Is mr. :ely memorial Conse-
Guently. we do not feel at all com
plimcnted by his action In refusing our
invitation and accepting that of the
Confederate veterans.
"As the matter has turned ont. shall
not be present 1t the unveiiing of the
Confederate monument, and shall
mako II a point TO do what deem to
he my duty, and that is make every
popssible effort to prevent the COM
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic from being present and
participating in that unveilng. n the
President is to discriminate against US
think wc should remain away from
the occasion he selects upon which to
show his discrimination"