Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-03-20
RUSS OPPOSE
YANKEE ARMY
men IN SIBERIA
Newspapers Conducting Cam
paign of Trades Against
Army in Attempt to Sow
DiSCOrd Among Allies.

Vladivostok, March l9-(By AS
sociated Press )--Nevcr since the
landing here OF troops in August
has there been such widespread
criticism of the United States. The
newspapers are full of TRADES and
ingenious distortions of facts calcu-
lated to SOW dscord among Ameri-
cans, Russians and Americas allies.
1t is an unquestioned fact that that
there is systematic campaign.
Some newspapers of Siberia, it APP
pears, have been subsidized and are
distinctly hostile to the United
States.
The Russians, never over-con-
hdent regarding the intentions of
the Americans. have been ready list
eners and the legitimate Russian
press reprints and editorializes on
the fabrications that have been put
in circulation.
Beginning with the disappointment
over the passiveness of Americas in
tervention, the sentiment developed
mistrust, and an outspoken hostility,
in many quarters, to the Princes is
lands proposal for a conference OF
all Russian factions with the allies,
justly or otherwise credited to Pres
ident Wilson. .-..
Americans were instantly dubbed
friends of the bolsheviki and the
idea was quickly utilized by an UNI
friendly press and accepted in the
political circles of the Russians gen.
orally. There is no effective means
here of combating this propaganda
and the result is that the United
States has few champions in any
class or party.
Charge Pro-Bolshevism.
Reassurances by Major General
, William S. Graves. the military CON-
mander. here, regarding America S
non-part ianship were offset in the
Russian mind, which is little con-
cerned in the fine shades of inter-
ference and non-interference, but
definite charges of pro-bolshevism
here and abroad, arising from the
refusal of the Americans to coop
crate with the military against the
alleged bolsheviki in the Amur dis
trict.
The giving of asylum to the Cos
sacks in revolt recently was con-
strued in similar way. This Incl
ient,. however, was the only one of
1 maligning character to draw fire.
Colonel Henry D. Styer, who has
been active for the Americans in the
Cossaek controversy, wrote to the
newspapers an explanation of the
affair, in which he fully outlined
the stand taken by General Graves.
Say Americans Failed.
Other diatribes have been received
in silence and as a consequence the
loyal friends of the United States
among the Russians are wavering.
The silence and do-nothing policy
of the Americans is plainly getting
on the nerves of the Russians.
France and England have few
troops here and these are not &C
lively engaged, but their commits
sioners are visiting and counselling
the Omsk government, with the re-
suit that they are being credited
with being the best friends of Rus
STA
The Japanese are regarded as hav-
ing rendered positive service in a
military way. Only the Americans
10 whom the Russians looked for
help and sympathy, are considered
to have failed, not because of their
failure to send more troops, hope
which has long since been aban-
Toned, but for lack of moral and
sent the presence and passivity Of
material support such as other ma.
lions are giving.
This is not solely the govern
ment's view, though it naturally
sympathy and aid. Among
It's officials there are others who re
the troops and the alleged encour
agement by America of their enemy
The bolsheviki. A representative O.
the Omsk government, in discussing
the situation, confessed himself ane
his superiors mystified by the 81
ence of the United States on vita
matters of policy. He also sale
there was a tendency to Judge Sc
verely acts OF expediency and neces
sity which his government hat
takeTl.
He said these acts were not full,
understood. He cited the recent ar
rests Of members of the zemstov
which, he declared, were justihable
and were made in accordance witt
military law. The arrested mer
we're safely lodged in Jail waiting
Tor a civil trial OH charges O.
reasonable conspiracy.
Want Sympathy.
His government wanted sympathy
this official added, in its efforts to re
establish order and greater materia
assistance, but if it could not have it
he said, he believed it was entitled
to strict neutrality toward its enc
mics.
Among the troops and the villag
.ers along the railways there is sui
ienness and unfriendliness which die
not exist month ago. This is due
besides the Cossack incident, to /;
refusal of General Graves to RESPOND
10 appeals by the inhabitants along
the Ussuri and Aniur railways ant
III, Suchan mines district, where thu
Americans are stationed, for protec
ton against outrages by Russian sol
diers. To these appeals, as we'll a
, request from the Japanese in thu
BIapiove stchensk district for a com
nany Of troops to fight the so-callet
bolsheyiki, General Graves has mad
the same reply, namely, that hi
would be exceeding his authority ant