Evening star., 1918-07-09
Confirms Mirbach Assassina-
ton and Tells of Moscow
Street Fighting.
U. S. TROOPS MAY HELP
PROTECT A COMMISSION
Program Expected to Be Compro-
mise Between Views Of America
and the Allies.

A message from Ambassador Fran
els at vologda. dated July Z. received
at the. State Department today.
brought the first word received from
him since June "a, and confirmed the
report of tho assassination of Count
Won Mirbach, German ambassador to
Moscow.
In diplomatic circles hero It Is free
ly predicted that Germany will make
use Of the assassination to further
tighten her military hold upon Rus
sia, and there are intimations that
she may send force to Moscow.
Views Of Diplomats Conflict.
Some representatives of foreign ma
tions here still believe that the eastern
front has been virtually depleted of Ger
reports emanating from Germany that
troops formerly engaged in Russia had
been sent to France were only partly
true, and that Germany has held a con-
siderable force ready to strike at Rus
sia and attain her own ends there when
an occasion arose.
Reports that the President may
address Congress shortly, explaining
the United States attitude toward
Sussia in view of recent events, could
that only the President knows in
what way he intends making the ex-
pected announcement, and he may not
yet have made up his mind. One of
the elements in the situation for which
he may have waited Is the official
confirmation of the assassination of
Count Won Mirbach. which was re-
cefved today.
Compromise Thought Likely.
There is only speculation about the
intent Of this government. pending
determined upon. But it is widely be-
lieved that the action of the allies, in
cluding the United States. will be In
the nature OF compromise between
the French and British desire for
plan favored by the administration
here for . omm.ssion which would
render only economic and Industrial
assisteFfce to Russia.
IDS expected that the plan to be
anhounced by the President, and
Akreed upon by the allied powers,
contemplates an allied, instead of an
an-Amerfcan commission, upon which
the United States will be represented
by men Of high ability and interna-
tional note. to be backed up by
joint military guard which will pro-
tect 1t against the pro-German ele-
ments in Russia and which later may
accord duly constituted Russian gov
eminent agencies allied protection.
Fighting in Moscow Streets.
According to the dispatch received
at the State Department today the
killing Of the German ambassador to
Russia occurred at pm. July 8, and
latest reports reaching the ambassa-
dor said fighting was progressing in
the streets Of Moscow. Wireless mes
sages to the soviet government told of
the capture Of several prominent boil
sheviki officials by revolutiontsts and
Of the arrest Of revolutionary leaders
by bolsheviki forces.
Similar information reached the de-
partment from the Associated Press
representative at vologda, who said
there was street fighting both at
Moscow and Jaroslav.
The messages Of both Ambassador
Francis and the Associated Press cor
respondent were sent to the American
layed. They brought relief to officials,
who feared the Germans had sue
ceeded in completely cutting OF tho
ambassadors communication with the
outside world.
President Wilson has been confer
ring at length with Lord Reading. the
British ambassador. regarding the
Russian policy. Nothing has been
given out in Washington regarding
the attitude Of Japan on the plans
under consideration.
Aid to Opponents Of Germany.
Furnishing of aid to elements in
Russia or Siberia opposed to Germany
through the taking of action at Kola
on the Arctic ocean or at vladeioyo-
stok 10 q plan which is regarded as
the most feasible in the opinion of
observers not conversant with the
plan believed to have been actually
decided upon by the government.
Military experts, however, continue
to hold that the destination of
tran 9Th throuRh A. lana;a@ y 49, y