New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-10
Sending of Army
To Russia Opposed
By Root Mission
Country Needs Organiza-
ton, Not Men, the
ENJOYS Declare

WASHINGTON, Aug. emphatic
disspproval OF the suggestion that
American troops be sent TO the Russian
front was brought home by all except
one OF the LENDERS Of the American
Mission TO Russia.
IL was authoritatively stated tonight
that Charles Edward Russell is the
only commissioner who believes il de-
sirable 20 put soldiers from the United
States in Russia, and that the others
are convinced that their presence would
be detrimental rather than helpful to
the armies Of the new democracy.
Elihu Root and his associates of the
mission lunched with Secretary Lam
sing to-day and told him more Of their
experiences and conclusions. Their
written report, submitted TO President
Wilson yesterday, probably viii not
be made public.
Organization and encouragement and
not men, it was explained tonight, are
Russia's needs in the opinion Of the
majority of the commissioners.
With 100000 men under arms,
they think Russia requires no more
soldiers, particularly she does not need
a few thousand strange soldiers,
speaking an unfamiliar tongue, draw
ing better pay and eating better food
than her own men. As an aid 70 ac-
tual fighting, it VS. pointed out, the
small number of American troops that
could be maintained in Russia would
be of little or no value.
Railway Supplies Needed
Lending assistance to the men now
in the field rather than putting more
men there TO drain the already scant
supplies is the duty of this country,
the commissioners feel.
Rolling stock for the railroads TO
carry supplies and equipment 70 the
native soldiers and the supplies them
selves are the real requirements and
they will grow. Both Russian and Ru-
manian forces will need supplies and
equipment worse next winter than they
do to-day, and of course, the trans
portation problems then will be great
er also.
General Scott declared to-day that
the Russian army was doing a splendid
job in holding the tremendous German
forces now opposed 70 IL.
The situation in Russia is improv-
ing every minute" said the general.
"As to this talk of the dissatisfaction
with the Russian government, ninety
nine people in Russia out of one hun
bred are satisfied with it. The remain
ing l per cent has been stirred up by
men of Russian nationality, many Of
whom left New York at the outbreak
of the revolution, in the pay Of the
German government
General Scott was impressed with the
skill with which the Russian artillery
men handled the big guns. He said
little could be desired He declared
that while there had been wholesale de-
sertions shortly after the break in dis
cipline which followed the setting up
of the new government, this was being
worked out satisfactorily, and when ne
left Russia every train going in the
direction Of the front was carrying men
returning TO their commands.
OF the greatest Importance, the Com
missioners say, is constant encourage
ment from citizens and the newspapers
of the United States. Anti-American
propagandists, headed by former resi-
dents of this country, and now financed
~ btAuldA are SteA4HR 70
paint Americans in the blacklist shade
and thus discourage Russians from ac-
cepting their good Offices.
The story Of the origin Of this ex-
traordinary propaganda is vouched for
by every member Of the commission.
Shortly after the outbreak of the revo-
luton. 1t is declared, the propa-
gandists, composed chiefly of Socialists
favorable to abolshing all present
forms of government and establishing
without delay rule by the brotherhood
of man, returned 10 their native land
and began berating the United States
and its people. Germans, quick to see the
advantage of controlling these agitators.
began supplying them with money, and
to-day, flush with wealth, they are go
ing through Russia spreading the most
vicious canards.
Dangerous Work of Propagandists
One of the commissioners, discussing
these men tonight, said he could only
explain their attitude before coming
into German money by their never
having become an integral part Of the
United States citizenry. Many of them,
il Is understood, lived in the congested