Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-26
Wilson Notifies Senate That
American Forces Will Be
Kept on Guard as Long as
Protection Is Necessary
MAIN OBJECT IS TO KEEP
RAILWAYS IN OPERATION
Second Purpose in View Was
to Steady Effort of Russians
at Self Defense or Establish
ment of Law and Order.

Washington, July 25.-Presideni
Wilson today advised the senate
that the American military expedi
ton in Siberia was there primarily
to protect and maintain operation
of the Siberian railroad and indicated
that the expedition would remain
as long as such protection was nee
essary.
Another purpose\of the expedition
as outlined by the president was to
give relief to the Russian people in
Siberia, by supplying food, clothing
and other supplies. Mr.. Wilson
said there was no intention of in.
terfering with Russian sovereignty
The retention of American troops
to protect the American railroad
forces under John F. Stevens, the
presidents letter stated, is "a vital
element" By agreement with
Japan, the president stated, the
American troops are to remain there
as long,as the railroad expedition is
engaged in maintaining operation.
The presidents communication,
detailing at great length the acfivi-
ties of the American military and
railroad forces in Siberia,was in re-,
sponse to resolution of Senator
Johnson. republican, California, in
quiring regarding the American
policy in Siberia and how long it
was proposed to retain the, troops
there.
To Save Czecho-Slovak Armies.
The presidents message said that
the decision to send American
troops to Siberia was taken in con-
junction with Japan and in concert
of purpose with the other allied
powers, first of all to save the
Czecho-Slovak armies which were
threatened with destruction by hos
tile armies apparently organized by
and often largely composed of pris-
oners of war;" The second purpose
in view was to steady any efforts OF
the Russians at self-defense, or the
establishment of law and order in
which they might be willing to ac-
cept assistance.
The net result was the success
full reunion of the separate Czecho-
Slovak armies" the statement con-
tlnued, "and the substantial elimina-
ton in eastern Siberia of the active
efforts of enemy prisoners of war
with a period of relative quiet then
ensued.
"In February, 1919, as a conclu-
sion of negotiations begun early in
the summer of 1918, the United
States accepted plan proposed by
Japan for the supervision of the
Siberian railways by an internation-
al committee under which commit
tee, Mr.. John F. Stevens would as
sumo the operation of the Russian
railway service corps.
Organize Railway Service.
AT the request of the provisional
government and with the support of
Mr.. Stevens there was organized the
so-called Russian railway service
corps, composed of American en-
gineers. AS originally organized
this corps constituted IA skeleton
division units.
Owing to the bolshevik uprising
and the general chaotic conditions
neither Mr.. Stevens nor the Russian
railway service corps was able to
begin work in Siberia until March,
1918. They have since been able to
operate effectively only since the
railway plan was adopted in Feb
ruary, 1919.
I'm accepting the railway plan. it
was provided that some protection
should be given by the allied forces
Mr.. Stevens stating frankly that he
would not undertake the arduous
task before him unless he could RELY
upon support from American troops
Continued on Page Four. Column Five.)