Evening star., 1919-04-12
SOLDIERS REFUSING
T0F|GHT IDENTIFIED
Gen. March Says Men of Co.
!, 33eth Inf, at ArchangeI,
Talked BoIshevism.
REINFoRCEMENTs COME

Company or the 339tn infantry Was
identified today by Gen. March as the
unit which recently refused to return
to the front-line trenches in the
ArchangeI sector when ordered to do
so by it's officers.
A supplementary report to the de-
partment on the incident said it was
worthy of note that the questions
put by the men of Company to their
officers were identical with the ques-
tions which bolshevik propaganda
advised that they put to them"
copies of the bolshevik leaflets con-
tanning these questions. and Gen.
March said he was extremely anxious
to secure one.
In my long service" Gen. March
said. Il don't recall another instance
to go into fight. They always have
said, Lead US to it,
A report from Murmansk dated
March 2s said the Onda bridge, on
been rebuilt. restoring communica-
tion with the southernmost post of
the allies.
While the actual situation of the
small commands of the expedition in
north Russia is not known, Gen.
March said. the reopening of commu-
nication to the south over the Onda
bridge solved any military question,
since it afforded a direct line for sup
ply and reinforcements. Communica-
tion between Murmansk and Arch
angel is being kept open with the as
sistance of icebreakers.
Arrival of Reinforcements.
Gen. March did not indicate what
the latest reports showed as to the
present state of discipline among the
American force, but arrival of the
american cruisers Galveston and
sociated Press dispatches. is expect
ed by officers here to relieve the sit
uation among American troops in
the Archangel region.
The vessels carried Brig. Gen.
w. P. Richardson, who is to assume
command of the American forces, and
two companies of railway engineers.
Gen. Richardson and the engineers
time time it % was decided I to i@ ~ithdraw Az the the
entire allied force in northern Rus
ria and their arrival is expected to
reaSsure the American troops and
prevent any spread of the mutiny.
Railroad Considered Vital.
The specific purpose in sending the
two additional companies Of American
railway cHSlHcCTS, do CApldAuCu ny
Secretary Baker to the military COM
mittees of Congress last February,
was to keep open the railroad 8Eorn
Wnfts ~ soSs This Yins. SsS Ss saia asI Va VI
regarded as vital by the British for
the movement Of supplies or rein
Arrival Of the two American cruisers
at Murmansk increases the American
naval force there to three vessels.
The guHboat Yankton was already on
duty in those waters.
NThere has been some talk. that the
Yankton would be relieved, probably
by the Galveston, since the Chester
has already. been assigned to re-
turn to the United Staes, but it ap-
pears more probable that all three
ships will remain, to be supplemented
by Eagle boats and submarine 'chasers.
Permits Land Force to Leave.
These vessels with whatever forces
the British are sending will act as a
screen for the withdrawal Of the en-
tire shore expedition as soon as bet
ter weather permits general move
ment. In the meantime, the additional
British troops being sent forward
will be available. as Secretary Baker
has pointed out. for reinforcements if
they are needed.
Naval officials have never admitted,
however. that it was for the purpose
Of proceeding to Russian waters that
the Galveston sailed to England.
Other vessels. about the movements
Of which there Is much mystery, are
the cruiser Chattanooga, Eagles Nos.
1. 2 and and half a dozen subma-
rine chasers.