The Washington herald., 1918-08-09
u. S. SIBERIAN FORCE
TO BE UNDER 10000
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR
FORMING SLAVIC LEGION

Subjects Of Central Powers Oppos-
ed to Huns Will Be Organized
, in U. S. Army.
London, Aug. s.-There is once more
an allied Eastern front" The Brit
ish war office late today issued an
official statement on the fighting
which followed the landing Of allied
detachments at ArchangeL 1t shows
that the opposing force supported
by Germans has been driven back
seventy miles south of Archangel.
which port is firmly held by the al
lies. The character and nationality
of the opposing force" Is not de-
fined by the official statement, which
follows:
After landing at Archangel (allied)
detachments pushed southwark along
the Vologda Railway. The opposing
force, supported by Germans, resisted
in Arkagorka. but was driven back
and retired towards Obozerskaya, sew
enty miles south Of ArchangeL Ger
man war material has been captured.
siberian Project.
Secretary of War, Newton d.
Baker returned from the West late
Yesterday and announced following
a conference with President Wilson,
that the American military contin-
gent to go to Russia will number
less than 10000. The combined
strength of all forces. including re-
representatives. from Great Britain,
France, Italy, Japan and China. is
not expected to exceed $4,000 men
This statement was authorized by
the Secretary of War:
General March already has an
nounced that Mai. Gen. William S.
Graves will command the forces of
the United states. 1 should suppose
the ranking officer of the expedition
will be the japanese general. under
stand they are going to send Lieu
tenant General
Undoubtedly the officer Of the high
est rank will preside at the confer
ences. Whether there will be any
more definate commander-in-chief I
do not know. I infer from the Presi-
dents statement the size OF the Jap
anese force will be approximately the
same as our own"
No Word From Moscow.
Plans to get the expeditionary
forces to their first destination with
the least possible delay are recefv-
ing the personal attention Of Presi-
dent Wilson. To facilitate this work
the Chief Executive visited the State,
War and Navy building during the
afternoon and communicated his wish
Is in the matter directly to Acting
Secretary Of State Frank l. Polk,
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels, and
Secretary Of War Baker.
At the State Department Is was said
no expression had been received from
Moscow which would show the atti-
tude Of the existing Russian govern
ment authorities concerning the ST.
berian plan Ambassador David r.
Francis, some days ago, communl-
Gated the Presidents announcement
to all recognized leaders in European
Russia The fact that an official re-
sponse has not been made will not
be permitted to delay the movement.
IL Is declared. as the plan 50 far con-
ceived relates only to Siberia The
leaders of the new government recent
iy proclaimed in Siberia have invited
and even urged the assistance which
Is now 10 De unoerIdken-
Slavic Troops Planned.
Announcement by the War Depart
nnent Of regulations governing the
raising Of troops for the Slavic legion
in the United States was in no way
officially connected with develop
nents concerning Russia, but was re
garded as significant. This force Is
TO be recruited from Jugo-Slavs,
Czecho-Slovaks and r u h n I a Q
CUkranians)-
CONGRESS- authorized the appropri-
alton for the supprt of the Slavic Ie-
gion in June at the request Of Presi-
dent Wilson. The Chief Executive
acted upon information that there are
thousands of men in the United
States who bear allegiance to Slavic
states Of Central Europe, but are
eager for the opportunity to take up
arms against Germany and Austria
Il Is believed in official circles this
force may ultimately go to Russia II
Il il found that additional troops are
needed to make the expedition a sue
cess.
The organization will be effected
by voluntary enlistment. Applicants
will be enlisted at the recruiting sta
tons of the regular army In all parts
OF the country except the coal min
ing districts.
Existing recruiting methods will
be followed in making enlistments,
except that applicants need not
speak English. and applicants ac-
cepted for enlistment shall not be
citizens Of the United States nor
subject to the draft.
Camp wsdsworth. 8. c.. has been
4 designated as the mobilization point
and a special course OF training for
the Slavic Legion will be provided
there