Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-30
NEARABREAK
OVERSEEING
US. SOLDIER
Japs Mixed Up With Cos
sacks in Affront to
Our Forces.

VIadivostok, Friday, Sept. 10
/ (By the Associated Press Major
/ General William S. Graves, com
mander of American forces in 81
IBERIA, has demanded an apology
from General Rozanoff, in com
mand of Russian troops in Pri-
amur province for the arrest of
Captain l.. p. Johns of the 9th
regiment and Corporal Benjamin
! Sperling of the 31st and the fog
ging Of the latter by CossaCks
commanded by General Kalmikon
An investigation of the conduct Of
Japanese officers at Imam. the
place where the arrests took place,
has also been begun by the Japan
ese high command. The incident.
which occurred Sept 5, is consid-
cred one Of the most serious since
the allies landed in Siberia.
On Official Business.
The two Americans, IN uniform
and on official business, went to
Imam, a town ITO miles north Of
this city, on the section of the rail-
road guarded by Chinese troops,
passports being unnecessary by
agreement between the allies.
While they were at a hotel there,
a detachment of Cossacks entered
and arrested the Americans, claim
ing they were not provided with
Identification papers. Captain Johns
managed to escape, and catching a
moving train, went to Spasske,
where he reported to the Ameri-
can officer in command. A detach-
ment of $50 Americans from the
27th regiment at once entrained
and went to Imam to effect Sper-
ling's release. and on arriving
there took three Cossacks as host
ages.
Prepared TO Use Force.
They found General Kalnikoff's
men entrenched near the station
and were prepared to use force
against them, when a japanese
major interceded for the Cossacks,
stating, it is alleged, that in the
event Of hostilities between the
Americans and Cossacks. the Jap
anese troops at Imam would side
with the latter. He at last told the
Americans that Sperling had been
taken to Khaborovsk, where Gen
eraI Kalmikoff has his headquar-
ters.
A telegraphic demand for Sper-
ling was sent to KhP borovsk, and
a reply was received that he would
be released at once. The Ameri-
can then returned to Spasske, TAX
ing their hostages with them.
Is a @Siberian Villa-7
A preliminary investigation OF
the incident shows. il is said, that
Sperling was fogged, a punish
ment that is usually meted out to
a recalcitrant Cossack. General
who is considered by
here as a Siberian
Villa" has, with his band, been
constant source Of trouble, 1t Is
his raids being marked
by cruelties and atrocities. He
was recently appointed military
of Khaborovsk district
by General Rozanoff, and 1t is al
legged this has brought about an in
crease in his activities.
Baker Admits Trouble.
Washington, Sept. 3O.-Secretary
Baker said today that Major Gen
eral Graves, commanding tho
American forces in Siberia, had in
formed the department that an off,
Ger and enlisted man had been held
by Cossaolls and released upon his
demand and that the matter had
been referred to the state depart
nent for subsequent action.
The department. Mr.. Baker said.
had not heard of the reported in
by a Japanese officer
with American troops sent to effect
he release of the enlisted man.
Department records" said the
only show that an Of
icer and an enlisted man were
leld by Cossacks and were releas-
cd on the demand of General
Graves.
I'VE have not heard of the Jap
anese incident. The matter has
been referred to the state depart
nent for subsequent action"