Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-29
OFFICIALS SILENT
ON ARMY IN SIBERIA
No Information Is 0btainabIe
as to Possible Return of
Troops There.
POLICY STILL MYSTERY

Administration officials will talk
more or less freely about the with
drawal of American troops in Europe
and northern Russia, but are silent
as the Sphinx when the subject OF
the possible return of Gen. Graves
merican division in Vladivostok and
vicinity is preached.
The mystery surrounding the mat
ter has given a dark and sinister sig
nificance to what in fact may be
clear and simple policy.
Invariable Response.
Repeated inquiries have been made
of acting Secretary Polk, Secretary
Baker and Gen. March as to why
American troops are kept in Siberia
when they are being withdrawn from
all other foreign stations. especially
in view of the fact that the United
States is not at war with Russia.
THAT is a matter ! cannot discuss
at this time" is the invariaoie re, re.
Spouse OF officials presumed to nave
absolute knowledge on the suoJecI
and further inquiry is discourage,
Naturally, in the absence of reliable
information. speculation has iree
rein and all sorts of reasons are gwen
why Uncle Sam keeps nearly 10000
soldiers in Siberia and is weekly
sending more to that distant ana IN
hospitable country. When they were
first sent there it was Indicated tnat
they were going to join forces with
Japan and the other allies in AIDING
the Czechoslovaks to overthrow the
bolshevists. A Japanese marshal was
20 command the combined armies and
they were to make long advance
into the interior. But nothing much
seems to have been accomplished
along that line and the American
forces under Gen. Graves are still not
far from where they landed IN V1aol-
vostok many months ago. Friction
forces and small, but violent clashes
have occurred between American ana
Japanese troops.
Variance in Military Policies.
Moreover, there appears to be
variance in the military policies of
the allies, and Gen. Graves has de-
ciined to participate in several move
ments of the Japanese army. on She
general ground that to do so would
Violate his instructions against par
ticipation in political quarrels
In view of the unsatisfactory state
of affairs in eastern Siberia the won
der grows why the American troops
of California is making strong efforts
to have the Senate demand an ex-
PLANTATION. -;
Among the many rumors on the
subject is one that Japan is sus-
pected of scheming for the complete
domination in the far east and that
the United States feels it the part
of wisdom to keep the nucleus of a
military force nearby for the protec-
ton of it's interests in that quarter
of the globe in case they should pos
sibly be jeopardized by the power
and influence OF any other govern
ment. That view of the case is hardly
consistent with the friendly relations
between the United States and Japan.
and naturally is not even subject
for discussion with the representa-
tives of either government.
Since November IL. the date the
armistice was signed, the United
States Army has been reduced in
strength from 3.670.sSs officers and
enlisted men to 1,510,523, a decrease
of 2,160,365. or So per cent.
Present Military Strength.
The present military strength is
distributed as follows: In Europe.
S40,091: in Siberia, $3.50; at sea. en-
route to Europe. 1,021; at sea, en-
route to. the United States. 170,311;
the insular possessions, 34,O69, max
ing a total Of 1,510,523.
No one is willing to venture a pre-
diction as to when the troops In ST.
IBERIA will return to the United States,
as the policy of the administration
with respect to the situation in that
quarter never has been announced.