The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-10
PLANS FOR SIBERIA
READY FOR ACTION
Less Than 10000 American Troops
VIII Take Part I'm Expedition to.
NIadivostok.
OTHER POWERS TO JOIN
Japanese General Probably Will
Preside At Councils of Allied Com
manders in the Field!

Washington, Aug. 9,-Secretary of
War Newton D. Baker. returned from
the west late today and announced.
following a conference with President
Wilson, the American military con-
tingent TO go to Russia will number
less than 10000. The combined
strength of all forces including repre-
sensations from Great Britain, France,
Italy, Japan and China Is not expected
to exceed 25, 900 men. This statement
was authorized by the secretary of
war:
: General March already has an
nounced tht Major General William S.
Graves will command the forces of the
United States. | should suppose the
ranking officer of the expedition will
be the Japanese general, / under
stand they are going to send lieute-
nant-general.
Undoubtedly the officer of the high
est rank will preside at the confer
ences. Whether there will be any
more definite commanderl n-chief I do
not know. / infer from the presi-
dents statement the size of the Japa-
nese force will be approximately the
same as our own
Plans To get the expeditionary forces
to their first destination with the least
possible delay are receiving the per-
sona attention OF President Wilson.
To facilitate this work the chief exc
cutive visited the great state, war and
navy building during the afternoon
land communicated his wishes in the
matter directly to Acting Secretary Of
War Baker,
At the state department II was said
no expression had been received from
Z y. = j l.
tude of the existing Russian govern
ment authorities concering the Siberian
plan. Ambassador David II. Francis
some days ago communicated the
presidents announcement to all recog-
nized leaders in European Russia The
fact that an official response has not
been made will not be permitted to
delay the movement it is declared, as
the plan so far conceived relates only
to Siberia. The leaders of the new
government recently proclaimed in
Siberia have invited and ever urged
the assistance which is now to be un-
dertaken.
Announcement by the war depart
ment Of regulations governing the rails
ing of troops for the Slavic legion in
the United States was in no way Off
cially connected with developments
concerning Russia but was regarded as
significant. This force is to be re-
cruited from go-Slavs, Czecho-
Slovaks and Ruthenans tUkrainians)
Congress authorized the appropria-
ton for the support o fthe Slavic
legion in June at the request of Presi
dent Wilson. The chief executive
acted upon information that there are
thousands of men in the United States
who bear allegiance to Slavic states
Central E,nTnna hJ1f for.
the opportunity to take up arms
against Germany and Austria.
1t is believed in official circles. this
force may ultimately go to Russia If
II is found that additional troops are
needed 10 make the expedition a sue
cess.
The organization will be effected by
voluntary enlistment Applicants will
be enlisted at the recruiting stations
Of the regular army in all parts of
the country except the coal mining dis p.
tricts.
Existing recruiting methods will he
followed in making enlistments ex-
cept that applicants need not speak
English and applicants accepted for
enlistment shall not be citizens of the
tnited States nor subjects to the
draft.
Camp Wadsworth. South Carolina.
has been designated as the mobiliza (
ton point. and a special course Of
framing for the Slavic legion will be !
provided there
Inc legion will be organized as regi- !
ments of the national army of the
United States, armed and equipped as |
PROVIDED by existing regulations. For |
'ie present unites no larger than regi- I
ments will be considered.