Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-26
Soldiers to Remain
on Guard in Siberia

in an emergency. Accordingly, as
provided in the railway plan, and
with the approval of the inter-allied
committee, the military commanders
in Siberia have established troops
where it is necessary to maintain
order at different parts of the line.
The American forces under General
Graves are understood to be pro-
tecting parts of the line near Vladi-
vostok and also on the section
around Verchne Udinsk. There is
also understood to be small body
of American troops at Harbin.
Support Mr.. Stevens.
The instructions to General
Graves direct him not to interfere
in Russian affairs, but to support
Mr.. Stevens wherever necessary
The Siberian railroad is not only
the main artery for transportation
In Siberia, but it is the only open
access to European Russia today"
THE population of Siberia, whose
resources have been almost exhaust
ed by the long years of war and the
chaotic conditions which have ex-
isted there can be protected from
further period of chaos and anarchy
only by the restoration and main
tenance of traffic along the Siberian
railway.
partisan bands under leaders
having no settled connection with
any organized government and
bands under leaders whose allegi-
ance to any settled authority is ap-
parently temporary and transitory,
are constantly menacing the opera
ton of the railway and the safety
Of its permanent structures.
"The situation of the people of
Siberia meantime is that they have
no shoes or warm clothing; they
are pleading for agricultural ma
chinery and for many of the SIM
pier articles of commerce upon
which their own domestic economy
depends and which are necessary to
fruitful and productive industry
among them. Having contributed
their quota to the Russian armies
which fought the central empires for
there and one-half years, they now
look to the allies and the United
States for economic assistance.
Dependent on Railways.
"The population of western
Siberia and the forces of Admiral
Kolchak are entirely dependent
upon these railways.
THE Russian authorities in this
country have succeeded in shipping
large quantities of Russian supplies
to Siberia and the secretary of war
is now contracting with the great
cooperative societies which operate
throughout European and Asiatic
Russia to ship further supplies to
meet the needs of the civilian popu-
lation."
The Ko1chak government is also
endeavoring to arrange for the pur-
chase of medical and other Red
Cross supplies from the War de-
partment and the American Red
Cross is itself attempting the forms
of relief for which it is organized.
All elements of the population in
Siberia look to the United States
for assistance. This assistance can
not be given to the population of
Siberia. and ultimately to Russia, if
the purpose entertained for two
years to restore railway traffic is
abandoned. The presence of
American troops is a vital element
in this effort. The services Of Mr..
Stevens depend upon it, and in
point of serious moment, the plan
proposed by Japan expressly pro-
vides that Mr.. Stevens and all for
eign railway experts shall be with
drawn when the troops are with
drawn.
From these observations it will
be seen that the purpose of the con-
tinuance of American troops in ST.
IBERIA is that we, with the concur
renee of the great allied powers may
keep open necessary artery OF
trade, and extend to the vast popu-
lation of Siberia, the economic aid
essential to it in peace time, but in
dispensable under the conditions
which have followed the prolonged
and exhausting participation by Rus
sia in the war against the central
powers. This participation was OBJ
viously of incalculable value to the
allied cause, and in a very particu-
lar way commends the exhausted
people who suffered from it to such
assistance as we can render to bring
about their industrial and economic
rehabilitation"