The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-07
ARMY AND NAVY
HEADS READY TO
AID KOLA FORCE
Hurried White House Con-
ference Also Discusses ST.
berian Situation.
SILENT AS TO RESULT
Vice-Admiral Sims Expected
to Send Any Force Required
in White Sea.
SILENT AS TO RESULT
Special Despdfch TO The Sun.

WASHINGTON, July 6.-As a result Of
appeals from the French and British
governments for action in Russia Pres
ident Wilson called to-day an impor-
tant conference OF Cabinet members,
military and naval advisers at the
White House. 1t is said that impor-
tant decisions which will end the sus-
pense with regard to the question of
military Intervention were reached
tentatively.
The President Is said to have given
particular consideration to the situa-
tions which have arisen al. .Vladivostok
and Kola, where American naval
forces have landed, and the plans
drawn up by the Entente for assist
ance to the Russians Of military
character are believed to have been
carefully scrutinized by the President
and his advisers.
Secretary OF State Lansing. Secretary
OF War Baker. Secretary of the Navy
Daniels. Gen. March. Chief of Stan. and
Admiral Benson. Chief Of Naval Opera
tions. attended the conference. Gen.
March and Admiral Benson were ac-
companied by their aids.
Urged by War Council.
An important communication from
Premier Clemenceau to which THE SUN
referred to-day Is understood TO have
| embodied views OF the Supreme War
! Council which at its Versailles meeting
| had taken up the necessity Of action in
Russia. Lord Reading. the British Am
bassador, saw Secretary Baker this
morning and shortly afterward it be-
came known that the conference at the
| White House had been called.
While nothing definite was forthcom-
| Ing and final decision may not be reached
| until after the next Cabinet meeting
there were indications tonight that the
views of the Supreme War Council had
made a powerful impression upon the
| President and his advisers and that they
might be guided in the end by the judg-
ment understood to have been expressed
at Versailles.
While the views expressed at the meet
! ing at Versailles are OF course secret
except to the President and those he con-
|
| lieve that stronger military action In
Russia than the President has been In
! favor OF was urged.
Reticent as to Outcome.
Maps OF Siberia. the portions OF the
Arctic Sea coast near the port OF Kola
and the White Sea ports and other UP
to date data bearing on the military
aspects OF the Russian Intervention
plan were brought TO the White House
The conferences was held in the Presi-
dents library and lasted almost two
| hours. Secretaries Baker and Daniels
left together. They declined to discuss
the conference. Asked II reinforce
ments were to be sent to the American
Marines at Kola or to the American
forces at VIadivostok Secretary Daniels
asked to be excused from comment.
The situation at Vladlvostok now de-
mands attention, according to officials
here. who point out that the action OF
the Czecho- -Slovaks in gaining control
OF that port and the presence Of Brit
sh, French and American forces on
shore on Russian soil has changed the
situation. Reliable information has been
received to the effect that the Bolsheviki
are preparing to organize military forces
to attempt to dislodge the Czecho-
Slovaks at Vladivostok and disarm their
forces elsewhere In Siberia.
France Pressing for Action.
The French Government is understood
to be pressing for action to support the
Czecho- -Slovaks without delay. The ap-
peal which Premier Clemenceau has
made to the President favors military
intervention by way of Nladivostok. and
this intervention assumes the form OF
rendering assistance TO the Czecho
Slovaks as one Of the irst moves in the
plan.
The situation at Kola is understood tc
have prompted the Navy Department tt
plan for sending reenforcements to tn,
small American force there, but no de
tails are available. as II Is said tha
Vice. Admiral Sims. commanding tn
American naval forces in European
waters, will select additional ships to 60
The French and British are llkewis
understood to be sending reenforcements
But the menace OF the German expedi
ton OF $4,000, which already has beel
launched against Kola, according to re
ports, could not be checked effectivel,
with a few thousand additional sailor
and marines. the British viewpoint l.
said strongly to favor launching an expe
dition OF considerable strength into Rus
sia by way Of the White Sea ports an,
No..