Evening star., 1918-04-16
.DEN|ESU.S. MARINES
ARE IN WI'|AIDlVOSTOK ]
Ambassador Francis Explains
the Landing Of Japanese and
British Forces.
MERE POLICE PRECAUTION

In giving out today the text Of a state
mont made at yologda by Ambassador
Francis the State Department made II
clear that tho landing Of Japanese and
British forces at vladivostok was not In
pursuance Of any international agreement
but merely was for the purpose Of protect
ing Japanese and British interests
The ambassadors statement. which was
issued on April 10, said that no Americans
had been landed. 1t was given out by the
State Department in denial Of reports that
Mr.. Francis had declared the incident was
due to an agreement.
Dispatches to the Navy Department
today from Rear Admiral Knight,
commander Of the American Asiatic
fleet, and to the State Department from
consular representatives made no men
tion of American forces having been
LANDED, and oficials now are con-
WINGED that the report from Harbin
of a landing was started by refugees
from yladivostok. who perhaps saw
a party Of American marines on shore
leave for a quartermaster's corps de-
tachment ashore.
Ambassadors Statement.
the statement Dy MI. IdiSis 90
given out by the State Department
reads:
THE American ambassador. upon
being asked what was the posiuon OF
his government concerning the land
ing Of Japanese and British marines
at Vladivostok. said:
The soviet government and the
soviet press are giving too much i'm
portance to the landing of these ma
rines. which have no political sfgnih-
canoe. but merely was police precau-
tion taken by the japanese admiral on
his own responsibility for the protec-
tion of Japanese life and property in
vladivostok, and the Japanese admiral.
kato, so informed the American ad-
miral, knight, and the American con-
sui. Caldwell. in Vladivostok.
Reason for British Landing.
MY impression is that the landing
the request of the British consul for
the protection of the British consulate
and British subjects in Vladivostok.
which he anticipated would possibly be
result from the Japanese landing.
The American consul did not ask pro-
lection from the American cruiser in
Nladivostock harbor. and consequently
no American marines were landed. This.
together with the fact that the French
consul at Vladivostock made no request
for protection from the British. Ameri-
can or Japanese cruisers in the harbor,
unquestionably demonstrates that the
landing of allied troops is not a con-
certed action between the allies"
Vladivostok Is Calm.
By the Associated Press
TOXIC. Wednesday, April 1e-omcial
advfces from Vladivostock say the city is
calm. Japanese bluejackets are not re-
plying to occasional shots from snipers
ut night. Protection of the French con-
sulate has been taken over by the Japa-
nese.
The Japanese foreign office announces
there 10 no confirmation of a Petrograd
dispatch that the bolshevik government
has proclaimed state of war in Siberia,
and ordered the red guard to oppose the
japanese marines
LONDON. April 15.-Lord Robert Cecil,
minister of blockade, answering question
In the house Of commons today, said:
mo assurance has been given that the
British and japanese troops will be with
drawn from yladivostok as soon as order
1s restored, but II IL hoped that the Incl
dent Will soon be closed"