The sun., 1918-07-09
ALLIED FORCE FOR
SIBERIA AN ESCORT
Decision Virtually Reached
That Expedition Shall Not
BE Military.
DETAILS ARE INCOMPLETE
Wish Of President Is to Offer
Economic Aid without An
tagonizing Bolsheviki.
SptcinI Dhspnich 10 TUE srN.

Special Despatch 10 Tue SrS
WASHINGTON. July s.--An allied COM
to enter Russia by way or ST.
,eria for the purpose Of Offering eco
ionic and Industrial aid, this commits
sion to be accompanied by Joint ex-
force OF considerable size.
but designed solely for its protection.
appears tonight to be the pro-
yramme toward which things are now
working as a result of the numerous
diplomatic exchanges which have been
going on in the last few days.
Not since the war began have the
diplomats been so busy. but indications
we're tonight that agreement had
been reached on most OF the points in
volved and that announcement OF the
soon might be expected.
AS announced in THE SUN this morn
Ing. a force of American troops will be
sent to Siberia in conjunction with those
IF our allies. but with tie understanding
that the original plan OF the President.
that of offering aid to the
Russian people. shall be adhered to
strictly. and that Intervention In not the
purpose OF the militarx~force Il at-ls-to
be organized
Cabinet VIII Duscuss To-day.
Details OF the allied plan are believed
to have been discussed at length to-day
at conference Lord Reading had with
the President at the White House and
are likely to be gone over again at to-
morrows Cabinet meeting. Just when
will be made cannot be
definitely foretold. as It Is understood
that IL military arrangements are TO
be left by general agreement to Gen.
Foch II is believed that the President
is waiting to hear from Gen. Foch be-
fore determining definitely just what
troops shall make up Americas part OF
the proposed escort
Unusual reticence naturally is being
maintained In official circles here re-
garding the Russian plan. but all In
formation obtainable to-day pointed to
an agreement having been reached which
Is more or less in the nature OF COM
promise in that Great Britain and some
OF the Allies which have been press
ing strongly for actual Intervention APP
parently have waived their plan in favor
OF the plan of sending a commission
backed by a military force.
Would Avoid AntagOnisn.
All along this has been the plan OF
President Wilson. who has taken the
ground that anything savoring Of mill
tary Intervention would antagonize the
Russian people. and in addition to be-
ing inconsistent with the principles We
have expressed might have the effect o.
driving them into the arms of the Ger
mans.
This Government on the other hand
as a result OF recent developments ant
the exchanges in the last few day!
would appear to have abandoned ~
plan for sending a purely American in
dustrial commission in favor OF the al
lied commission.
The plan for sending an American in
dustrial and economic commission Il
Russia, there is reason to believe. hat
reached the stage where all that re
manned was the question of personnel
But following the night conference a
the White House OF the President ant
his advisers on this point. it was learned
to-day. an urgent request was received
from the Supreme War Council that &C
ton by this Government along this lin
be postponed pending consideration o
plans then under discussion. That thi
request and the communications whicl
have since followed II have resulted In
modification OF the Presidents earle
plan there seems little reason to doub,
though definite announcement is still
withheld.
VIII Oner Supplies and Advice.
Acceptance by the Allies of the Pres
ident's plan would mean that YER
large allied commission would be cent I
Siberia. made up OF financial. industris
n,,I ~ rnI
offer supplies as we'll as advice as I
Russia's Industrial and agriculture
needs Such an offer coming Jointly l
the name OF all tho Allies. 1t is believed
would create a favorable impression a
, once In the minds OF the Russians or g
least among the people in Siberia. VIII
have not succumbed to the Bolshevik ir
fluence to any great extent.
While according 10 this idea II Is b,
, lieved that Great Britain. France an
| Italy have pointed out that force G
considerable strength should accompan
this expedition TO give II protection tn
| Japanese also will participate. but III
| size OF each contingent apparently is "
to be worked out.
| I. 9. Force to De small.
The force this country will send. II
understood. will he comparatively small
| The expedition. II this plan Is carrie
out. will be an allied one in every sens'
with every one OF the Allies represented
It's function would be to protect tn
commission and its supplies. though tn
| idea Is that once convinced OF the sir
certify OF the purpose behind the des
patch OF the commission the expeditio
accompanying II quickly would form tn
nucleus of an increasing Russian fore
the effect OF which would soon be fe
throughout the whole OF Russia.
So rapid and convulsive are II
changes in Russia at the present tin
| that the possibility that events In Il
near future may bring about q change
any plan adopted now is not overlooke
-, IN diplomatic circles At the preseI
time. however. Vladivostoll appears to
safely under the control OF the anti-Bo
shevik elements which have the suppo
| of the allied forces which have bet
landed there. The force of Czecho- 81,
| walks, according TO reports. liz increasiI
there. The situation at Vladivoetok al
pears therefore to offer inviting poss
bilities for an allied effort OF this cha