Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-10
SHOULD NOT SEND
American Troops to the
Eastern Front
Would Hurt Rather Than Help Armies
Of Russia Say All But One Of Men,
bers Of Russian Mission-Ant-
American Propaganda Has Made
Some Roadway There

Washington, Aug. 9.-Emphatic dis
approval of the suggestion that AM
erican troops be sent to the eastern
front was brought home by all except
one of the members Of the American
mission to Russia.
1t was authoritatively stated tonight
that Charles Edward Russell is the
only commissioner who believes it de-
sirable to put soldiers from the Unit
ed States in Russia and that the others
are convinced that their presence
would be detrimental rather than help
full to the armies of the new democ-
racy.
Written Report Not Public
Elihu Root and his associates on the
mission lunched with Secretary Ian
sing today and told him of their eX-
periences and conclusions. Their writ
ten report, submitted to President Will
son yesterday, probably will 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 900 men under arms, they
think Russia requires no more SOL
diers; particularly she does not need
a few thousand strange soldiers,
ing better pay and eating better food
than her own men. AS an aid to ac
tual fighting, 1t was pointed out, the
small number of American troops that
could be maintained in Russia would
be of little or no value.
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 to the native soldiers and
the supplies themselves are the real
| requirements.
Of the greatest importance, the COM
missioners say. is constant encourage
ment from the citizens and newspa-
pers of the United States.
The story of the origin of extraor-
binary anti-American propaganda is
vouched for by the members. Shortly
after the outbreak Of the revolution
it is said propagandists composed
chiefly of Socialists favorable to abol-
fishing oil of
ment and esta blishing without delay
! rule by the brotherhood Of man, re-
| turned to their native land and began
berating the United States and its
people. Germans, quick to see the ad :
vantage of controlling these agtators,
began supplying them with money and
today, flush with wealth. they are go
ing through Russia, spreading the
most vicious cards.
One Of the commissioners discussing
these men, tonight said he could only
! explain their attitude by their never
having become an integral Of the
! United States citizenry Many of
them, it is understood, lived in the
! congested foreign sections of New
York and seldom came in contact
with American citizens.
Six special reports probably will be
submitted to different departments of
the government. Upon arrival in Rus
sia each commissioner was assigned
to cover some particular branch of the
new government that he might give
the Russians advice and be of par
ficl1ar Aid n ITnifal I,
upon his return home
The assignments were as follows.
Mr.. Root, ministry: Charles Edward
Russell, workmen's council, political
parties and Socialists; Cyrus H. Nc
Cormick and Charles r. Bertron.
finance; James Duncan, labor; John r.
Mott and Charles r. Crane. religion
Major General Hugh L. Scott. army:
, Rear Admiral James H. Glennon.
navy
Reports on labor conditions particular
ly are being eagerly awaited by govern.
ment oficials and abor leaders, because
of the great activity OF workingmen in
the formation Of the new government and
the fact that unofficial reports on that
feature Of the situation have been con-
hicting. Although Mr.. Duncan has not
completed his special report, he gave an
outline Of some Of the principal features
Of it today that he might set at rest cor
ficting stories which have gone broad
cast
The Russian workingman certainly will
do his share" Mr.. Duncan said. He
has done it already and he is entering
into the spirit Of the new government
with a whole heart. When the scheme Of
government is finally rounded out he will
be found TO have a big hand in it and he
will discharge his duties properly.
Russian workingmen still are dazzled
by their freedom TO organize. OF course
under the Car they had no labor organ
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