Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24
Wilson Again Declines to
Speak at Memorial Day
Exercises at Arlington.
ACCEPTS CONFEDERATE
INVITATION, HOWEVER
Many Veterans of Blue May Not At
tend dwelling of Memorial to
South's Dead.

Army of the Republic against President
Wilson may come about as a consequence
Of his having excused himself from at
tending the exercises to be held at Ar
1ington national cemetery Memorial day,
May 80, according to statements made by
G. A. r. men in Washington last night.
The G. A. r. men began to take very
much to heart the Presidents declination
to be present at their Memorial day exer-
cises as soon as they learned that the
committee on arrangements for the un-
yelling of the monument to the Confed-
crate dead had announced that President
Wilson will be present at this latter event
and speak when it takes place at Airing
ton national cemetery June 4.
G. A. r. Men Disturbed.
The G. A. r. men began last night to
be openly disturbed and anxious as to the
Presidents attitude in declining the in
vitation of the G. A. r. and accepting
that of the Confederate veterans. DR.. j.
h Gleeson, commander of the Depart
ment of the Potomac of the G. A. R.,
informed reporter for The Star that
he intends to do everything in his power
to persuade Washington Gardner, former
representative in congress and now COM
mander-in-chief of the G. A. R.. not to
make the speech he is scheduled to make
1t Arlington in connection with the cere-
monieis to be held when the Confederate
monument is unveiled June 4.
Dr Gleeson said he spoke not only for
hlmself but for number of other G.
"A. r. men in Washington, and he said
he was sure. for 3 number of other G.
a r. men who have been invited to be
He said that although he has been in
Vited TO be present at the Confederate
exercises June 4. he does not intend
noTS0n.t RI hs nJ I'm
McEircy. commander of Post No. 2.
also said he had heard number of G.
All r. men who have been invited to be
present express their intention of alb
senting themselves. and expected that
he also would stay away.
Reunion May Be Clouded.
1t seemed certain last night, judging
from the statements of those who have
knowledge OF the subject and were will
ing to discuss It. that the great reunion
Of the Blue and the Gray which had
been planned for the monument unveil-
ing exercises at Arlington June 4, will
be clouded to considerable extent by
the feeling engendered among the G. A.
r. men over the Presidents refusal to
70 to Arlington for the 6. \. r. event
Siay 20.
II extended the invitation TO President
Wilson to be present at Arlington Me-
tnOfldt Gay. DI- JieeSOH SdlU IdSI hight
81 wrote to the White House and asked
for the interview. which was granted. and
with me at the time :fere Q. H. Oldroyd.
assistant adjutant general. G. A. R.. and
E. 3. HolbrOok. past department COM
mander. G.. A r. We have had at the
Arlington Memorial day exercises every
one OF President Wilson's predecessors.
We invited him. too. last year. We got
see If he could make it convenient to be
present. but when the time approached
he went automobilins through Virginia
Declines Invitation.
las a consequence OF that. if l had
consulted my own feelings this year
should not have intruded upon the Presi-
dent this year with an invitation. But
we felt that his Office deserved every
thing we could do. and so l went to the
White House, presenting cordial invi-
tation to oe present this year. Presi-
dent Wilson told me he would like to go
to Arlington, but in view OF the condi-
ton of public affairs-Mexico-with no
probability that matters would be se4-
tied before May ~. he thought it mad
visable-
"The President said he could not go to
Arlington without speaking. and he could
not speak without referring to current
eveEts He said. This is not the time for
me to have anything to say on public
questions
Il urged upon hlin the TACT tnat A
great many people think il possible. some
probable that hc will yet have to call
on the young men of this country to help
him out in Mexico. l said. IT. by your
presence at Arlington on such an occa-
don, you show that You are in sympathy
With the G.. \. r. and what it stands
tor that might be an inspiration to these
foung men. whether you speak or not.
The President said. Yes. but you know
nhe public Is very critical, and I do not
khink il would be a good thing for me
10 speak around this time.
Position Not Understood.
Now We men OF the q. y. r. feel
that if tine President could not go to Arl-
can he go June and do so?
AT Arlington, after all, We do not
Zeal with current events. Such an oc-
sasion that we wished him to at
lend is merely memorial Consequent
~ do not feel at all complimented
by his action in refusing our invitation
and accepting that of the Confederate
veterans.
"As the matter has turned out I shall
not be present at the unveiling of the
Confederate monument. and | shall
to be my duty. and that is make every
possible effort to prevent the COM
mander- chief of the Grand Army Of
the Republic from being present and
participating in that unveiling. If the
President is to discriminate against
US I think we should remain away
from the occasion he selects upon
which to show his discrimination.