Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-18
AMERICANS SOON TO
QUIT WESTERN RUSSIA

WaEu STRENGTHENING the position OF
American and allied troops in nor
thern Russia as preliminary to their
safe withdrawal in the near future
are under way at the direction Of the
supreme war council
1t is understood that the contrihu-
ton of the United States to supple
mentary force win be several com
panies of engineers to aid in keeping
Ines of communication open to the
sea.
Secretary Baker notified the house
military committee today that Pres
ident Wilson had Informed him of the
plans, and again gave assurance that
the American soldiers were in na
danger of being cut Off.
Secretary Baker, transmitting this
Information from President Wilson
to the house military committee to-
day, said all the American soldiers
should be out of Russia this spring,
10 facilitate the withdrawal, addi-
tioual forces are being despatched to
the scene. Great Britain is sending
?, 400 troops and the United States
railroad engineer units numbering
about 500 men.
Secretary Bakers letter. s6nt TO
the chairman of both the house anl
senate military committees said
- have just received Il cablegram
from General Bliss, sent by the presi-
dents direction, on which ] am told
the president has app owed the send
ing of two American railway com
panies TOT Murmansk for the follow
ing objects First, to assure greater
safety during this winter of the al
lied forces both along Murmansk AMI
at Archangel and south Of Arch
angel; second, the much better sup
ply and, if necessary. reinforcement
from Murmansl< of the advance de-
tachments south of MiTmansk and
Archangel; third, to facilitate the
prompt withdrawal Of american and
allied troops in north Russia at the
earliest possible moment that wealth
err conditions in the spring will per-
nit"
"The president has directed me to
communicate the foregoing to the
heads of the allied Governments,
which I have done The president
sons fuN it be communicated to the
military committees of the senate
and house for their information.
an addition to the foregoing. Cen
eral Bliss tells me the British govern
'2i0 men TO MGrmansk, and that
they have requested the cooperation
Of the president to the extent of
two companies of railway troops
above referred to- The desire for
the railway troops is based upon the
fact that supplies and reinforce
ments for Archangel during the win
ter have TO go by railroad south
from Murmansk to a point near the
southern extreme of the White sea
and that the operation of this rail-
ruad is believed by the British to be
absolutely necessary to guarantee
prompt movement of renforcements
and supplies to ArChangel and the
troops south of Arehangel General
Bliss also informs me that the British
military authorities do not feel any
apprehension as to the military sit
uation at Archangel."
After reading Mr.. Bakers letter.
Senator Johnson issued this state
ment:
"When on December 9 last we
commenced the agitation for the re-
turn of our troops in Russia for the
sole purpose of saving the lives of
American boys there, we had little
sympathy and less support After
more than two months of absolute
silence on the part of the govern
ment. the denial of information of
amy sort either to congress or to the
people, comes today's communication,
the first of its kind to the military
committee that our soldiers would
be returned. The strangeness of this
communication does not detract from
my very great qualification.
preached in December, 5000 Ameri-
can boys apparently had been aban-
doned and forgotten by their gov
ernment They We're making a va
liant stand against overwhelming
odds in all the severity of an arctic
winter. suffering untold privation and
hardship and fighting a war which
had never been sanctioned or decIar-
ed by the American people. the
government either would not or could
not tell it's policy or the activities OF
our soldiers or why they were killing
and being killed. We are yet in total
icnOrance but it is significant that
the letter today foreshadowing the
early withdrawal of our troops, con-
clusively demonstrates the utter lack
of foundation Of every statement
made by those who have sought to
excuse this unjustifiable invasion,
Finally in England a righteous
public opinion compelled an altera-
ton of ingland's course, and now
apparently the course of America Isl
changed. We cannot make whole
again the MANNED nor bring back the
dear ones who have been Nlled III
defiance of the law and in violation
of the constitution in this miserable
misadventure in Russia, but thank
God the American boys who are YET
alive are to be returned to us
Senator Borah of Idaho, republic
can. issued Il statement declaring
that to Senator Johnson was due the
credit for the change of policy re-
gurdmg Russia made by the Ameri- |
can government.
hHNOTE DI0IIO TIDE