New-York tribune., 1919-07-26
Letter to Senate Says
American Soldiers Are
Needed to Guard the
Rails From Outlaws
Must Stay as Long
As U. S. Experts
Interference in Russian
Affairs Forbidden, Says
Reply to johnson Query

WASHINGTON, July 25.-President
Wilson informed the Senate to-day in
response to resolution by Senator
Johnson, Republican,, California, that
the presence of American troops in
Siberia was a vital element in the
restoration and maintenance of traf-
tic on the Siberian railroad and that
under the agreement with Japan they
could be withdrawn only when the
American railway experts, operating
the road, were withdrawn
The President said Siberia could be
protected from a further period of
chaos and anarchy only by keeping the
railroad open, and that lacking the
prime essentials of life the people there
were looking to the United States and
the Allies for economic assistance.
This already is being extended, and ad
ditional supplies are to be sent for
ward.
Outlaws Menace Railroad
Rowing bands having no connection
sia are menacing the railroad, the
President said, and consequently its
protection by the military is nsces-
sary. American troops, he said, now
are engaged in guard duty at Vladi-
vostok and around Verchne Udinsk.
A small body also is at Harbin.
The original purpose of the Amcri-
can military expedition, Mr.. Wilson
wrote, were twofold: The saving Of
the Czecho-S Slovak forces and She
steadyng of the efforts of the Rus-
SLAMS at self f-defence or the establish
ment Of law and order in which they
might be willing to accept assistance.
Major General Graves, commanding
the expedition of 5000 men, was spe-
cihcally directed not to interfere in
Russian affairs. the President said, but
to support wherever necessary John
f. Stevens, the American railway en-
gincer, who is carrying out the work
of rehabiitating the Siberian railroad
under the direction of the inter-Allied
committee.
Text of Presidents Message
The Presidents message to the Sen
ate follows:
"For the information of the Senate,
and in response to the resolution
adopted June 23. 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,
the policy Of the United States gov
ernment in respect to Siberia and the
maintenance of United States soldiers
there | have the honor to say that
HE decision to send American troops
t" Siberia was announced to the press
VI, :.aaEust s, 1918, in statement
tl.n lts Acting Secretary Of State, of
wh.e,. Z. copy is inclosed.
"1n.> measure was taken in con-
junc,.on wl,h Japan and in concert
of purpos. with the other Allied pow
ers, FIRST Of all to save the Czecho
Slovak armies, which were threatened
with destruction by hostile armies ap
parently organized by and often
largely composed Of enemy prisoners
Of war The second purpose in view
slams at self-defence or the estab-
lishment of law and order in which
they might be willing to accept as
sistance.
Two Regiments of Infantry
1.-TWO regiments of infantry, with
auxiliary troops about 5000 effectives
comprising Il total of approximately
10000 men, were sent, under: the COM
mand of Major General William S.
Graves. The troops began to arrive
at Vladivostok in September, 1918.
"Considerably larger forces were dis
patched by Japan at about the same
time, and much smaller forces by 9TH
ers Of the Allied powers. The net re-
suit was the successful reunion Of the
separated Czecho- -Slovak armies and
the substantial elimination in Eastern
Siberia of the active efforts of enemy
prisoners of war. A period of relative
quiet then ensucd.
"In February, 1919, as conclusion
of negotiations begun early in the sum-
mer of 1918, the United States accepted
plan proposed by Japan for the super
vision of the Siberian railways by an
international committee, under which
committee JOHH r. OteVeUS WOulU as
sumo the operation of the Russian rail-
way service corps. In this connection
it is to be recalled that John F. Ste
vens, in response to q request Of the
provisional government Of Russia, went
to Russia in the spring Of 1917. A few
months later he was made official .ad-
wiser to the Minister of Ways Of Com
munication at Petrograd under the pro-
visional government.
American Engineers Used
"At the request of the provisional
government, and with the support of
John F. Stevens, there was organized
the so-caled Russian Railway Service
Corps, composed of American engi-
nccrs. AS originally organized. the per-
sonnel Of this corps constituted four
teen skeleton division units as known
in this country, the idea being that
these skelton units would serve as
practical advisers and assistants on
fourteen different sections Of the ST.
Continued on merit pd1e