Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-07-26
!. s. TROOPS IN
 SIBERIA TO AID
 ARSUFFERERS
President Declares They Cannot
 Be Withdrawn Until Experts Leave.
STRERIANS LOOKING
 TO ALLIES FOR HELP

Only by Protecting Railways Against
 Anarchists and Robber Bands
 Can Supplies Be Sent
 Forward
 Washington, July 25.-President Wilson informed the senate today in response to a resolution by Senator Johnson, republican, of California, that the persence of American troops in Siberia was "vftal element" in the restoration and maintenance of traffic on the Siberian railroad and that under the agreement with Japan they could be withdrawn only when the American railway experts operat- ing the road were withdrawn
 The president said Siberia could be protected from a further period of chaos and anarchy only by keeping the railroad open anG that lacking the prime essentials of life, the people there were looking to the United States and the allies for economic as- sistance. This is already being ex- tended and additional supplies are to be sent forward.
 Rowing bands raving no connection with any organized government in Russia are menacing the railroad, the president said, and consequently it's protection by the military is neces- sary. American troops, he said now are engaged in guard duty at Vladi- vostok and around Verchne Udnisk. A small body also is at Harbin
 The Presidents Message.
 The presidents message to the sen- ate follows:
 "For the information of the sen- ate and in response to the resolution adopted June 23, 1919, requesting the president to inform the senate, if not incompatible with the public interest, of the reason for sending U. s. sol diers to Siberia. the duties that are to be performed by these soldiers, how long they are to remain. and generally to advise the senate of the policy of the United States government in re- spect to Siberia and the maintenance of U. s. soldiers there, I have the honor to say that the decision to send American troops to Siberia was an- nounced to the press on August 5, 1918, in statement from the act ing secretary of state, of which a copy is enclosed.
 "This measure was taken in con- junction with Japan and in concert of purpose with the other allied powers, first of all to save the Czecho-Slovak armies which are threatened with des- truction by hostile armies, apparently organized by, and often largely con- posed of enemy prisoners of war. The second purpose in view was to steady any efforts of the Russians at self defense, or the establishment of law and order in which they might be willing to accept assistance.
 10000 Troops Sent
 "Two regiments of infantry, with auxiliary troops-about 5000 effec- tives-comprising total of approxi- mately 10000 men were sent under the command of Maj Gen. William s. Graves. The troops began to arrive at Vladivostok, in September, 1918. Considerably larger forces were des- patched by Japan at about the same time, and much smaller forces by others of the allied powers. The net result was the successful reunion of the separated Czecho- -Slovak armies, and the substantial elimination in eastern Siberia of the active efforts of enemy prisoners of war. A period of relative quiet then ensued.
 "In February, 1919, as a conclusion of negotiations begun early in the summer of 1918, the United States accepted a plan proposed by Japan for the supervision of the Siberian rail- ways by an international committee, under which committee MT. John F. Sevens would assume the operation of Russian railway service. In this con- nection it is to be recalled that Mir. John F. Sevens, in response to re- quest. of the provisional government of Russia, went to Russia in the spring of 1917. A few months later, he was made official adviser to the minister of ways and communications at Petrograd under the provisional government. At the request of the provisional government and with the support of MT. John F. Stvens, there was organized the so-called Russian railway service corps, composed of American engineers, as originally or ganized, the personnel of this corps constituted IA skeleton divisions units as known in this country, the idea be- ing that these skeleton units would serve as. practical advisers and assist ants on IA different sections of the Siberian railway, and assist the re- solutions bv their knowledge of long haul problems. as known in this country, and which are the rule and mot the exception in Siberia"