Arizona republican., 1918-08-23
IT WAR
 NOW DECLARtu
 BY bO[SHEV|K|
Dispatches From Russia to
 State Department of Dis
 turbing Nature. Americans Are Warned to Leave
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
 WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-Dispatches from Russia today were of a somewhat disturbing nature to state department officials. Vice Consul Robert. w. Im- brie, at Petrograd, reported in de- layed dispatch that members of the bolshevik government at the former Russian capital had issued a pronun- ciament declaring that a state of war existed between Russia and the United States.
 Warns Americans to Leave
 In view of the bolshevik declaration, Minister Imbrie reported in his dis patch which was dated August 2, that he had lowered the United States flag over the consu.te and, following the recent action ot Consul General Poole at Moscow, closed the consulate and turned the affairs of the United States over to the Norwegian consul. Ameri- cans in Petrograd believed to number about 20, were warned to leave, Consul lmbrie's dispatch said, although the consul indicated that he would remain at his post until he had received in structions from the state department.
 Two Councils Appointed
 
 France of the appointment of two in ternational councils, one at Archangel and the other at Vladivostok, however, counterbalanced the unfavorable news contained in the dispatch from Petro- grad. Ambassador Francis, as dean of the diplomatic corps. will act as the presiding officer of the Archangel council. The personnel of the Vladivos- tok council is not yet complete. Consul Caldwell will be the American member until President Wilson designates a representative.
 Persecution of the few Americans in Petrograd for the ten days prior to the dispatch of consul Imbrie's cablegram made state department officials appre- hensive as to their safety. Officials re- gard it as evident that further mes- sages from the consul have been held up by the bolsheviki.
 Is Regarded Most Seriously
 The reference in Consul Imbries dis patch to declaration of war against the United States by the bolshevik au- thorities, however, was regarded most seriously by officials. It was suggested that the speech 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 Minister Tchitcherin modified, in response to an inquiry by Consul General Poole, to a state of de- fense against the allies. was the real basis for the latest development in Petrograd. It was thought that upon receipt of the report of Trotzky's s speech the Petrograd bolshevik au- thorities interpreted it as they saw fit and issued their declaration of war against the United States.
 Their Escape Doubtful Whether the Americans in Petrograd d will be able to escape was doubtful it was said, despite the recent agreement with the Finnish government whereby Americans leaving Russia might have safe passage through Finland. Officials be unable to protect Americans against German officials and soldiers who are in control in Finland.
 The announcement by Secretary Baker today of the arrival of the Thirty first regiment, regulars United States infantry at Vladivostoi brings the military representation of the United States at that port to two full regimens, the arrival of the Twenty seventh infantry having been announced several days ago. Secretary Baker said that Major General William s Graves who is to command the Ameri. can contingent, had not yet arrived a Vladivostok.
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