The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-09-30
U. S. COMMANDER
ASKS APOLOGY
Gen. Graves Demands Inves-
tigation Of Japanese Inter-
ference With Troops.
WASHINGTON CONCERNED
Over Arrest of Capt. Johns
and Flogging of Corp. Sperl-
ing by Cossacks.

Washington, Sept. 30.--(A. P.)--
Ma. Gen. Graves, commanding the
American forces in Siberia, 10 under
stood to have acted upon official in -
struetions from tho war department
in demanding an apology from the
Cossaok commander for the flogq ng
Of an American soldier and an in
vestieation Of Japanese interfere n ce
between the American and Cossaek k
forces.
Con. Gravss has reported that in
cident in dotail and army officials
said today the situation was the most
serious which has occurred since tho
American forces went into Siberia.
Staff Chief En- Route Home.
1t became known today that Col
Oliver r.. Robinson. chief OF stan to
Gen. Graves. is en- route home, but
no statement was Forthcoming as to
whether his trip had to do with this
incident. Officers here assumed,
however he would report on this ca sc
as well AZ the several clashes which
have occurred between the Ameri =
cans and bolshevik bands.
Most Serious Incident.
ihtiNpSAVhs EtptH i'tAty ths J
IA P.)-Maj, Gen. William 3
Graves, commander of American
forces in Siberia, has demanded an
apology from Gen. Rosanotf. In com
mand of Russian troops In Priamur
province, for the arrest of Capt. L.
II. Johns, of the twenty seventh reg
iment. and Corpl. Benjamin Sperling
of the Twenty first, and the hogging
of the latter by Cossacks commanded
by Gen. Kalmikoff. An investigation
of the conduct OF a Japanese officer
at Imam, the place where the arrests
took place, also has been begun by
the Japanese commander. The incl
dent, which occurred Sept. 8, is con
sidered one of the most serious since
the allies landed in Siberia.
The two Americans, in uniform and
on official business, went to Imam, a
town 40 miles north of this city, on
the section of the railroad guarded
by Chinese troops, passports being
unnecessary by agreement between
the allies. While they were at ho-
tel there. a detachment of Cossacks
entered and arrested the Americans.
claiming they were not provided with
Identification papers. Capt Johns
managed to escape and catching a
moving train, went to Spasske, where
he reported to the American officer
In command. A detachment of $50
Americans from the Twenty seventh
regiment at once entrained and went
TO Imam TO effect Sperling's release,
and on arriving there took three Cos
sacks hostages
Found Russians Entrenched.
They found Gen. Kalmikoff's men
cntrenched near the station, and were
prepared TO use force against them
when Jafasrfese major finterceded
for the CossackB and stated, It is al
legged, that in the event of hostilities
between the Americans and Cossack
the Japanese troops at Imam would
side with the latter. He at last told
the Americans Sperling ha.. been
taken to ,Khaborovsk, where Gen.
Kalmikoff has his headquarters. A
telegraphic demand for Sperling was
sent to Khaborovsk, and a reply was
received that he would be released al
once. The Americans then returned
to Spasske, taking their hostages
with them.
A preliminary investigation OF the
incident shows, it is said, that Sper-
ing. was IogRed, a punishment that
is usually meted out to a recalcitrant
Cossack.
Gen. Kalmikoff, who is considered
by Americans here as n siberian
Villa" has with his band been a con
stant source of trouble. it is charged
his raids being marked by cruelties
and atrocities. He was recently an
pointed military commander of the
khaborovsk district by Gen. Razo-
noff and 1t Is alleged this has brought
about an increase in his activities.