Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-09-30
Serious Incident in Siberia
May Lead to Break
With Russians.
u. s. CAPTAIN AND
CORPORAL SEIZED
Arrested and Imprisoned by "villa Of
Siberia"-captain Makes Escape and
Rescue Force Secures Release OF
Companion-Gensra Graves Makes
Demand For Apology on Part Of Rus
sian Commander.
tBy Associated Press. ]

Vladivostok. Sept. 3O.-Maj. Gen.
William s. Graves. commander OF the
American forces In Siberia, has de-
manded an apology from General Ros-
anon. commanding Russian troops In
Priamur province. for tho arrest OF
Capt L. p. Johns, Of the twenty
seventh regiment, and Corporal Ben
jamin Sperling. Of the Thirty -dirst. and
the fioGging OF the latter by Cossacks
commando by General Kalimofr. An
anese OFFICER Mt Imam. the place where
the arrests took place. has also been
begun by tho Japanese high COM
mand.
The incident, which occurred Sept. 8,
Is considered one Of the most serious
since the allies landed in Siberia. The
two Americans In uniform went to
Imam, q town ITO miles north of this
city, on the section OF the railroad
guarded by Chinese troops. passports
being unnecessary by agreement.
Troops Rescue Sporting.
Whilo they were at a hotel there a
detachment OF Cossacks entered and
arrested the Americana, claiming they
were not provided with Identification
papers. Captain Johns managed to es-
cape and. catching a moving train.
went to Spasske. whore he reported TO
the American officer In command. A
detachment of $50 Americans from the
Twenty seventh regiment at once en-
trained and went to Imam to eneot
Sperfinxs release. and on arrivins
there took three Cossacxs "A hostaKes'
A teiexraphic demand for Speriins
was sent to KhAvorovsk and a reply
was received that he would be release %
at once. The Americans then returned
TO 9passke. taking their hostages with
them.
A preliminary investigation OF the
incident shows, It is said, that Sper-
linz was nogged. punishment that is
usually meted out to a recalcitran'
Cossack. Geneal Kalmikon, VINO 10
considered by Americans here as II
Serbian villa" has with his band been
a constant source Of trouble. his rule
beinr marked by crueltics and atroci-
ties. He recently was appointed min.
tnry commander of Khakinon distric'
by General Roslnon.
Washington Considers Incident Serious
Washington, Sept. So.--Ma3or Gen
eral Graves, commanding the Amcri-
can forces in siberia Is understood 10
have acted upon OFFICIAL instructions
from the war department In demand
ing an apology for the f'oEginE OF an
American soldier and an investigation
Of Japanese interference.
General Graves has reported the III
oident in detail and army officials sh'u
the situation Is the most serious tha'
has occurred since the allies went into
Siberia. 49,
Secretary Baker snid today thai
General Graves fad informed the de.
partnent that am officer and enlisted
man had been held by Cossacks ano
mat the matter had been referred &c
the state department for "suhsequeh,
notion" Tho department has not
heard OF the interference OF Japan.
ese officer with American troops SEM
TO relcase the men.
sDeparti,ent records only show tha'
an officer ana enlisted man were he't
hv Cossacks and released on demand
OF General Graves. We have not heare
or the Japanese incident"