The Washington herald., 1918-08-03
RUSSIAN AID
HINTS FROM
JAPAN COMING
Note Containing Views Of
Siberian Situation on
Way Here.
ADVISERS ARE PLEASED
Wilson's Counselors Graft
fed with Developments;
See Diplomatic Victory.

President Wilson yesterday re-
ceived notice that a reply of Japan
to his suggestion as how best to
aid Russia is on its way from Toxic
to Washington. The information
came through official diplomatic
channels and was reported as being
highly satisfactory.
Almost Immediately the President
went to the state Department for q
personal conference with Acting
Secretary Of State Frank L. Polk.
The purpose Of the visit is known to
have been more to demonstrate the
keen interest the Chief Executive
feels in the Russian situation tha n
to discuss details.
Viscount Kikujiro Ishii, the Jap
anese Ambassador. also visited the
State Department. He appeared to
be much pleased with the turn at
fairs have taken, but would make
no comment.
Asks No Speculation
Polk repeated his request to the
newspapers to avoid speculation as
to the probable manner in which
the plan would be carried out or
when President Wilson would be
prepared to make his announcement.
The only official statement was:
Nothing can be said about a re-
ply from Japan as the communica-
tion has not yet been received here"
The Presidents advisers were much
gratified with the developments. The
point was made that he had not
yielded in his determination to see
that economic aid and political uplift
should be the handspring Of any
movement in which the United States
might participate. If Japan is now In
full accord with this, another diplo-
matte victory will have been re-
corded.
The data assembled here show that
large stores are now available at
Vladivostok and in possession of the
allies These include motor cars,
considerable supply Of gasoline, agri-
cultural implements, machinery for
sawmills, tools, freight cars, loco
motives, various other kinds of rail-
road material and coal
1t Is not speculation to say that the
armed guard which will form the ex-
petition will only be such as believed
necessary to safeguard the movement
of upplies to the interior of Siberia
and keep open lines of communica-
ton. At the War Department 1t was
said the United States troops now in
China would most probably be select
ed for the work. These include units
of the Fifteenth United States Infan-
try and three battalions of Marines
a fetal of approximately 1000 men.
A message dated July 81 was re-
ceived at the State Department from
Ambassador Francis at Murmansk. 1t
said the Embassy representatives
were accompanied by the Italian and
British diplomatic representatives and
the French Charge: Others were
mentioned as being at Kandalaska
awaiting instructions.
Experiences of Ambassador.
A communication received here
through French diplomatic sources
gives the following account of the ex-
periences Of the diplomats on the
Murman Coast:
They (the Ambassadors Of the
United StatesI France and the British
envoy arrived at Archangel on Fri
day preceded by telegraphic orders
from the peoples commissaire who
called upon the local Soviet to op-
pose their installation. The Soviet OF
Archangel was presided over by
certain Petrol, who instructed the
Ambassadors to land at some Western
European port. Vainly they demanded
the means of communication with
their respective governments, but
Petrof refused to grant this authori-
zation. Then the Ambassadors de-
clared they would hold him RESPONSE
BILE for any consequences that might
ensue and exhorted him to reflect.
Petrol wired to Trotzky. The latter
replied that the Ambassadors, as they
were not quitting Russian territory
must at least quit the port of Arch
angel. They then set out in two boats
with about sixty refugees for Kan
dalaska"
Yesterdays communication from
Ambassador Francis shows that he
has been able to make still further
progress as Murmansk has been
reached.