The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-29
U. s. CONSULATE CLOSED
ROLSHEVIK'S WAR DECLARATION
CAUSE OF ACTION.
Allied Councils Formed at Archangel
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. U. 5.
Troops Landed.

Washington, Aug. 23.-Dispatches
from Russia today were of some
what disturbing nature to State De-
partment officials. Vice Consul Rob-
ert NJ. Imbrie, at Petrograd, reported
in a delayed dispatch that members
of the Bolsheviki government at the
former Russian capital had issued a
pronunciamento declaring a state OF
war existed between Russia and the
United States.
In view of the Bolsheviki declara-
tion, Mr.. Imbrie reported in his dis
patch, dated August 2, that he had
lowered the United States flag over
the consulate and, following the re-
cent action of Consul General Poole
at Moscow, closed the consulate and
turned over the affairs of the United
States to the Norwegian consul.
Americans in Petrograd, believed to
number about twenty, were warned
to leave, Consul Imbrie's dispatch
said, although the consul indicated
that he would remain at his post un-
til he had received instructions from
the state department.
More Cheering News.
Announcement in a dispatch from
France of the appointment of two in
ternational councils, one at Archangel
and the other at Vladivostok, how
ever, counterbalanced the unfavor-
able news contained in the dispatch
from Petrograd. Ambassador Fran
els, as dean of the diplomatic corps,
will act as the presiding officer of the
Archangel council, the other mem
bers Of which will be the diplomatic
representatives of the Allied nations.
The personnel of the Vladivostok
council is not yet complete. Great
Britain will be represented by Sir
Charles S. Elliott as high commits
sioner of Vladivostok, japan by Mr..
Matsudaira and France by Eugene
Regnault. Consul Caldwell will be
the American member until Presi-
dent Wilson designates a representa-
tive.
Persecution of the few Americans
in Petrograd for the ten days prior
to the dispatch of Consul Imbrie's
cablegram made state department
officials apprehensive as to their
safety. Officials regarded it as evi-
dent that further messages from the
consul have been held up by the
Bolsheviki.
Regarded Seriously.
The reference in Consul 1mbrie's
dispatch to a declaration of war
against the United States by the Boil
sheviki authorities, however, was re-
garded most seriously by officials. 1t
was suggested the ships of Minister
of War Trotzky at Moscow late in
July, in which he declared that a
state of war existed between Russia
and Great Britain and France and
their allies, and which Foreign Min
lister Tchitcherin modified in re-
sponse to an inquiry of Consul Gen.
eral Poole, to state of defense
against the Allies was the real basis
for the latest development in Petro-
grad. 1t was thought that upon re-
ceipt of the report of Trotzky's ships
the Petrograd Bolshevik authorities
interpreted it as they saw fit and
issued their declaration of war
against the United States.
Whether the Americans in Petro-
grad will be able to- escape was doubt
full, despite the recent agree
ment with the Finnish government
whereby Americans leaving Russia
might have safe passage through
Finland. Officials here pointed out
that the Firms would be unable to
protect Americans against German
officials and soldiers, who are now
in control in Finland.
Two Regiments.
The announcement by Secretary
Baker today of the arrival of the
,Thirty-irst regiment, regulars, Unit
ed States infantry, at Vladivostok
brings the military representations
of the United States at that port to
two full regiments, the arrival of the
Twenty-seventh infantry having been
announced several days ago.
Reestab ablishment of civil govern
ment in Vladivostok and Archangel
will be the first task of the interna'
tional councils, it was said by officials
here, who pointed out that such &C
ton at Vladivostok, would allow the
military commands to devote them
selves exclusively to clearing the re-