Evening journal., 1918-08-08
GRAVES HEADS THE
SIBERIAN FORCE
Two Philippine Regiments
viii Make Up Nucleus of
Expeditionary Army
VLADIVOSTOK
THE AIM OF ALLIES

WASHINGTON, Aug. S-Nlajor-Gen
William 5. Graves will command the
American Expeditionary Force 10 be
sent TO Siberia. Announcement TO this
effect was made by Gen. Peyton C,
March, Chief OF staff, at his conference
with the newspaper correspondents.
The American force, which Gen.
March describes as relatively small, Will
have two regiments Of regular infantry
as its nucleus. These regiments, the
Tiventy-seventh and the Thirty-flrst,
viii go from the Philippines 10 Vladi-
vostok. They are commanded by Coils.
Styer and Taggart. other troops sent
from the United States will supplement
these regiments and bring the force
,p to sufficient strength to carry out its
initial purpose.
Gen. March declined to state what the
size OF thls initial force will be, as au-
thorltative comment on that score
might give information to the enemy.
Speculation here Is that the initial
force will be approximately 10000 with
arrangements made for Increasing II II
necessary.
Major Cen. Graves viii be relieved OF
his presNi It duty in command of the
Eighth Th ision, Camp Fremont, Cal,
in order 10 take over his new COM
mand. Should It become necessary in
the near future to bring his force up to
full division strength, this can be done
en- flxr oa For 80 fr
size will be provided In the initial
makeup and, by his rank, Maior-Gen.
Graves will be logically In a position to
command a division.
No announcement viii be permitted as |
TO when the American troops depart |
from the Philippines or from the |
United States for VladvostOk. Gen
March, however, will announce the fact
as soon as Maior-Gen. Graves reaches
There Will be no announcement con-
'ernlng the prospective movements OF
Japanese troops OF their number until
.hese troops reach Siberia. 10 Is as
sumed that Japan will have a force at
east equal 10 that of the United States
1t the outset 10 was noted here today
hat the Japanese government officials
IN Toxic have made it known TO their
lwn people that Japan will increase her
military forces In Siberia as eXpedl-
iiously as circumstances require.
IL Is admitted here that the military
phase OF This program may be affected
by developments resulting from the
threats and open acts OF hostility Of
Nickolai Lenine. the Bolshevik leader. |
Should Lenlne make a declaration of |
war against Jauan or seek TO stir up |
hostility against the United States and
the Entente the course OF prudence
might necessltate increasing the size OF
the forces which the United States.
Japan and the Entente Allies are send
ing 10 aid the CzechO-Slovaks and the
Russian people. But the object OF the
expedition would. II is explained, be
the same.
"The purpose OF organization OF the
expedition" Gen. March said. "has been
by the President through
ihe State Department and / need not
'efer 10 that further. The force Is rela-
lively small and is not for the purpose
II establishing an eastern front i'm Rus
la, but for the purpose set forth in
he Presidents memorandum and no
ther."
Further indications OF the open hos ,
lllty Of the Bolshevik leaders reached J
he State Department today in official !
dvices. Felix COye. the American con-
III at Archangel, reported to the State ,
department. that he had received no !
Message from the government since ,
uly 7, As the State Department has =,
cen cabling him frequently and as ,
ambassador Francis has likewise been !
ending him kilograms, this information
rom Mr.. Cole was taken as proof that i,
his official correspondence from the
United States government to its repre- :
entative has been tampered with for =,
month by the BOlshevlki.
Mr. Cole reported that he has been
lnder arrest by the authorities in Arch
nigel, who acted presumably under
'rders from the Bolshevih. Upon the
Irrlval OF American and Entente forces
he was released by the people.
These new developments marking
lew affronts at the dignity Of the
United States. have brought no official
comment and the general assumption
n diplomatic quarters is that the United
,tates now regards The acts OF the !
3olsheyih as beneath notice and fully
Expects to carry on any dealings IL
nay have with Russia through other
Iron workers and lahorers cap sI |