Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-08-01
YANK SIBERIAN
FORCES TO STAY
President Tells Senate U. S.
Forces Needed to Guard
Great Railway.
HELP RUSS WITH SUPPLIES
Another Purpose of the Expedition Is
to Give Relief to Russian People
in Sberia-Won't Interfere
With Sovereignty


Washington, July 29.-President
Wilson advised the senate that the
American military expedition in 81
IBERIA was there primarily to protect
and maintain operation of the Siberian
railroad and indicated that the e1pe-
dition would remain as long as such
protection was necessary.
Another purpose of the expedition
as outlined by the president was to
give relief to the Russian people in ST.
IBERIA by supplying food, clothing and
other supplies.
The retention of American troops to
protect the American railroad forces
under John #. Stevens, the presidents
letter stated, is a vital element" BY
agreement with Japan, the president
stated, the American troops are to re-
main there as long as the railroad ex-
petition is engaged in maintaining OPP
GRAFTON.
The presidents communication, de-
failing at great length the activities of
the American military and railroad
forces in Siberia, was in response to
resolution of Senator Johnson
(Rep.) of California, inquiring regard
ing the America policy in Siberia and
how long it was proposed to retain the
troops there.
The presidents message to the SEN
ate follows:
For the information of the senate
and IN response to the resolution
adopted June %, 1919, requesting the
president to inform the senate, If not
incompatible with the public interest,
of the reasons for sending United
States soldiers to Siberia, the duties
that are to be performed by these sol
diers, how long they are to remain
and generally to advise the senate of
the policy of the United States gov
eminent in respect to Siberia and the
maintenance of United States soldiers
there, have the honor to say that the
decision to send American troops to
Siberia was announced to the press on
August 5, 1913, in statement from
the acting secretary of state, of which
copy is inclosed.
This measure 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 hostile armies appar-
emily organized by, and often largely
composed of, enemy prisoners of
war.
"The second purpose in view was to,
steady any effort of the Russians at
self-defense, or the establishment of
law and order in which they might be
willing to accept assistance.
1.-TWO regiments of infantry, with
auxiliary troops-about 5000 effec-
tives-comprising a total of approx
mately 10000 men, were sent under
command of Maj. Gen. William S.
Graves. The troops began to arrive
at Vladivostok in September, 1918.
Considerably larger forces were
dispatched by Japan at about the same
time, and much smaller forces by 9TH
ers of the allied powers.
"The net result was the successful
reunion of the separated Czecho-Slo-
yak armies and the substantial elini-
nation in eastern Siberia of the active
efforts of enemy prisoners Of war.
''In February, 1919, as a conclusion
of negotiations began early in the
summer of 1918, the United States
accepted plan proposed by Japan for
the supervision of the Siberian rail-
ways by an international committee,
under which committee John F. Stew
ems would assume the operation of the
Russian railway service corps. In this
connection, it is to be recalled that
John f. Stevens, in response to a re-
quest of the provisional government
of Russia, went to Russia in the
spring of 1917. A few months later he
was made official adviser to the minis
ter of ways and communication at
Petrograd under the provisional gov
eminent"