Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-11
cZEcHo-SLoVAKS A FACTOR.
Continued Successes May Alter Plans
REGARDING intervention.

Regarding Intervention.
Washington, July 1l-The remark
able success of Czecho-Slovak legions
| in re- establishing law and order in ST.
IBERIA and overcoming armed opposi-
ton from former German and Austrian
prisoners of war, has had the effect OF
suspending the preparations of plans
by the entente powers and the United
States for organization Of an interna-
tional military force to campaign In
Siberia.
1t was stated authoritatively We'd
nesday however. that none OF the
plans considered had met the obiec-
ton of the United States government
that they involved a weakening Of the
western front in Europe. Besides this
objection the administration has been
reluctant to depart from its policy OF
non interference in internal affairs OF
a friendly country, altho it was ad-
mitted an exception might be justi-
fed in the case of Siberia II clearly es-
tablished that the native population
was forcibly dominated by Austro-
German soldiers and influence.
1t is understood that an agreement
to try the American proposal TO assist
the Russians economically to rehabili-
tate was about as far as the negotia-
tons between the entente and the
Washington authorities had pro-
crossed when news of the CZecho-
:Si0vdh campaign III Siberia Demon
strated the necessity for revision of
any plans for a military campaign in
that country. 1t was said developments
were so unexpected that it was not
possible to decide how and when mill
tary aid should be extended.
To Send Supplies.
There is no intention. however, of
abandoning the plan for introduction
into Siberia of supplies from America
needed by people Of that country and
the commission to take charge of this
work is now being selected.
Recognizing the great value Of the
work being done by the Czecho- Slo
walks in counteracting German activi-
ties in Siberia without entry into polit-
ical quarrels of the Sberians. the en-
tante powers will give the legions
sympathetic and material support, ifN
need be. as they hold this would be en-
tirely consistent with an attitude of
neutrality as the Czecho- Slovaks are
lIlell dlEeS anu are pleuSeu 10 reiTdill
from asserting control over the coun-
try thru which they are passing once
they have put it in order
Have 10000 Men.
In discussing the CZecho- Siovak
successes Wednesday the Czecho- Slo-
wax national council have declared the
forces are fighting in Siberia with the
sole idea of battling as one Of the al
lied forces against the Germans and
that their movement would be gov
erned by orders transmitted them thru
Prof T. G Masaryk. their leader. who
now is in this country. 1t was explained
that while indifferent as to whether
they fight on the western front or on
the eastern front. the CZecho- Slovaks
feel they must not be involved in inter-
nal affairs OF any country. When they
started from Russia to France the
Czecho- Sloyaks numbered $4,000. but
these have been augmented by es-
capped prisoners from the Austrian
and Rumanian armies and are said to
number more than 100000 trained and
disciplined men under skilled leaders.