The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-02-19
Troops Operating in Siberia and
Other Provinces Are to Be
Withdrawn.
JOY AT WASHINGTON
Announcement Brings Expressions of
Approval From Several Lawmak-
ers, Including Senator John
son of California.

Washington, Feb. 19.-American and
Allied troops operating in North Rus
sia will be withdrawn "at the earliest
possible moment that weather condi-
tions in the spring will permit"
To facilitate this movement, and to
improve lines of communications for
the supplying of the forces that have
penetrated into the country, President
Wilson has approved the sending of
two additional companies of American
railway troops to Archangel.
This information, cabled to the war
department by General Tasker III.
Bliss at Paris by direction of the
president, was transmitted to Chair
man Chamberlain and Dent Of the
senate and house military commit
tees by Secretary Baker. The an
nouncement brought expressions of ap-
proval from several senators, includ-
ing Senator Johnson of California, Re-
publican, who has been pressing his
resolution providing for declaration
by the senate in favor of withdrawal
of the American forces.
England to Send More Men.
General Bliss also informed Secre-
tary Baker that Great Britain had de.
cided to send 2,40O additional soldiers
to Archangel to reinforce the army in
North Russia. In this connection Gen.
eral Bliss said the British military au-
thorities felt no apprehension over the
military situation in North Russia.
Secretary Bakers letters to the
committee chairmen were Identical.
They said:
81 have just received a cablegram
from General Bliss, sent by the presi-
dents direction, in which | am told
that the president has approved the
sending of two American railway COM
panies to Murmansk for the following
objects: First, to assure greater safety
during this winter of the Allied forces
both along Murmansk and at Archan-
gel and south of Archangel. Second
the much better supply and, If neces-
sary, the reinforcement from Muir.
mansk of the advance detachments
south of Murmansk and Archangel
Third, to facilitate the prompt with
drawal of American and Allied troops
in North Russia at the earliest pos
sible moment that weather conditions
in the spring will permit. 4,
President Directs Action.
"The president has directed me to
communicate the foregoing to the
heads of the Allied governments which
| have done. The president desires
that his action and the reasons for 1t
be communicated to the military com
mittees Of the senate and house for
their information.
I'm addition to the foregoing, Gen
eral Bliss tells me that the British
government is sending force Of about
2,400 men to Murmansk, and that they
have requested the cooperation OF the
president to the extent of twb COM
panies OF railway troops above re-
ferred to. The desire for the railway
troops Is based upon the fact that sup
plies and reinforcements for Archangel
during the winter have to go by rail-
road south from Murmansk to a point
near the southern extreme of the
White sea and that the operation of
this railroad is believed by the Brit
ish to be absolutely necessary to guar
antee the prompt movement of rein
forcements and supplies to Archangel
and the troops south of Archangel.
General Bliss also informs me that the
British military authorities do not feel
any apprehension as to the military
situation at Archangel"