New-York tribune., 1918-08-04

Aggression Is
Expressly Denied
Landing at Vladivostok
To Be First Move; VIII.
son Assures Russia
Will Be Aided

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3.-Ofhcial
statements by the American and
Japanese governments, made here
tonight, announce that the plans
for extending military aid to Russia
In Siberia will be undertaken by the
United States and Japan alone, with
the other Allied co-belligerents as
senting in principle.
The United States and Japan will
each send a "few thousand men"
to Vladivostok to act as common
force in occupying and safeguard
ing the city and protecting the rear
OF the westward moving Czecho-
Slovak army.
The numbers of the American
troops, from where they will go and
when may not be discussed.
While the United States and
Japan are extending aid to the
Czecho-Slovak army in Siberia the
United States will continue to CO.
operate with the Allies operating
from Murmansk and Archangel, but
to what extent and in what nature
is not announced.
Troops Not to Remain
The Japanese government at the
same time pledges itself that when the
OBJECTS OF the mission are accomplished
II Will withdraw every Japanese SOL
oier and leave the sovereignty of Rus
sa un!mpaired in all its phases.
Ine agreement, to which all the AL
'ies assent, is largely the result of the
personal efforts of President Wilson,
VINO has been at work almost unceas-
'nSly for weeks to bring the nations
osether in the most effective plan
"n'cn az the same time will convince
Tue Russian people that the aim was
purely to help them preserve and de-
Se'op their new-found democracy.
Would Injure Rather Than Help
The statement by the government a.
70 its purposes and aims in extending
.''''tary and economic aid to Russia,
issued in the form of "A Statement to
vac fress on the American-Japanese
action In Siberia from the Acting Sec
'e'ary Of State" follows:
IN the Judgment of the govern
hn
meht arrived at after repeated and
very searching consideration OF the
s;aole ituation-mJi Jitary interven-
..'h 10 Russia would be more likely
70 70 aoo to the present sad confusion
mere than to cure it and would In
1efe Russia rather than help her out
VI ner distresses. Such military in
.eNention az has been most Yre-
tasheiy proposed, even supposing lt
~ oe erlcacious in its Immediate OBJ
irecs OF delivering an attack upon
E;sIrmany from the east, would, in its
,,a1sment, be more likely to turn out
~ ~ De merely method Of making use
russia than to be method Of
lying her Her people, If they
Rronted by it at all, could not profit
!o,y 1t In time to deliver them from
sasir present desperate difficulties,
os ascd to maintain foreign armies,
aos 70 reconstruct their own or TO
sso their own men, women and chill
@sen. We are bending all our en-
,sfxics nov to the purpose, the reso-
s4N and confident purpose, Of win
nlng on the Western front, and il
S"uid IN the judgment Of the govern
msnt Of the United States be most
SShwiae 10 divide or disaipatc our
To Help Czecho-slovaks.
O. As the government of the United
..sates .ts sees the present circum-
stSahcer, therefore, military action is
@'missible In Russia now only TO
t,shoer such protection and help as
possible to the Czecho- -slovaks
aks'hst the armed Austrian and Ger
,isnh Prisoners Hho sre attacking
nIsfh, and 10 steady efforts at self
..."Fernrnent or self defence in which
s'sc hussians Themselves may be will
.nS 10 accept assistance. Whether
Continued on n0uc si1ht 4