The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-05
U. S. and Japan to Speed Plans
For Aid to People Of Siberia
Many Members of the Commission Will Leave This Country
Within the Next Three Weeks-Interest Attached
to Military Phase Of Program

Washington. August 4--Pre1lmtnary
statement of the state department OF
the aims Of Japan and America In
aiding the people Of Siberia to re-
store law and order will he followed
this week. II IL thought, by y more
formal announcement OF the part to
be pla we'd by the economic mission TO
be sent to vladivoaock by the United
States.
II 10 generally understood that the
orxAnixAtion az fl1e mission has 70 MI
inten4A hcnn perfcrxnd sfeR 10SeFn1
weeks. members having heen gfvca m
opportunity to adjnst their personal
affairs In this country before sailing.
UnofEictaliy Il is said many members
Of the mission will leave this country
within the next three weeks
Although II Is the expectation Of
many officials that the economic mis-
sion win play a major part in the
aid which the Cnited States and Ja-
pan contemplate, great interest at
tachcs here TO the probable course
gram may develop. Among military
men the question Of the nationality
Of the expeditions leader has been a.
source Of continued speculation.
The regiment OF American infantry
and artillery now In China fs COM
manded by a colonel. This force has
been In China In consequence OF the
International agreement relative to
maintaining open communication in
China after Boxer uprising. The
American forces are not At war
strength. In the Philippines the
United States now has two regiments.
sands OF natives encamped in the
mobilization schools
Brigadier- General Henry A. Green.
now In on hts way to Manila TO aid In
the formation OF the great organixa-
tfon Oh home guard units bcing formed
In the Philippines. II Is thought In
some circles that he may see service
in Siberia. Brigndier- General William
S. Graves, formerly assistant to the
chief OF stAff, General March. also In
considered aS ono who may receive
orders to lead troops to Siberia He
was dispatched TO Fremont, Cal. with
In the past month to assume command
OF the Eighth division now heing or
gantDcd 10 war strength
That the negotiations between this
country and Japan relative to the an
nounccd program for aid TO Siberia
took into consideration the command
of the proposed expedition h general.
ly accepted here Although Japan
would be pleased n one OF her MILL
tAry leaders was put I'm command Of
the expedition. her representatives In
this country have emphasized the fact
that . French or italian leader NO
doubt would be acceptable. II 10 not
thought that . Russian general OF
proven ability will be chosen. although
this possibility has been put forward
bv some Ut the military men who have
seen service In the Far East.
TheAc men point out that n d Rus
siam leader. who IL above any charge
OF being reacttonary. could be Mac
ed In charge Of the small army. the
effect would he excellent upon the
initial reception OF tho new comerA.
On the other hand. It IA said that the
hadc policy OF the expedition may IN
large measure he determined By the
council At Versailles. although for the
time bcing the entire work n 70 be
assumed by the Japanese and Ameri-
can governments. Certainly Il has
been made plain. In the single oflcinI
announcement issued that France
and Great Britain are not 70 he al.
rcctly interested In the steps taken.
Army officers hcrc believe that Ger.
tain units. Including engineers. AN
craft. signal corps and other special
trained corDs will soon he ON their
way from this country In Siberia. Il
Ia said that deflnite orders for this
movement have mot been Issued.