Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-26
WILSON EXPLAINS

the Russians at self-defense, or the
establishment Of law and order In
which they might be willing to &C.
cept assistance.
Two regiments Of infantry, with
auxiliary trCops-about 5000 effec-
tives-comprising a total of approx.
imately 10000 men. were sent under
the command of Major General Will
liam S. Graves. The troops began to
arrive in Vladivostok in September,
1918.
Considerably large forces were
dispatched by Japan at about the
same time, and much smaller forces
by others of the allied powers. The
net result was the successful reun-
ion Of the separated Czecho- Slovak
armies, anr the substantial elimina-
ton in Eastern Siberia of the active
efforts of enemy prisoners of war.
A period of relative quiet then en-
sued.
In February. 1919. as a conclusion
of negotiations begun early in the
summer of 1918. the United States
accepted a plan proposed by Japan
for the supervision Of the Siberian
railways by an international COM
mittee, under which committee Mr..
John F. Stevens would assume the
operation of the Russian railways
service corps. In this connection, It
is to be recalled that Mr.. John r.
stevens, in response to request of
STA, went to Russia in the spring OF
1917. A few months later he was
made official adviser to the minister
Of ways and communication at Pet.
rograd under the provisional govern
ment. At the request of the provi-
sional government, and with the
support of Mr.. John F. Stevens.
there was organized the so-called
Russian Railway Service Corps,
composed of American engineers.
As originally organized, the person.
mel Of this corps constituted fourteen
skeleton division units as known in
this country, the idea being that
these skeleton units would serve as
practical advisers and assistants on
fourteen different sections of the
siberian railway and assist the Rus
SLAMS by their knowledge of long
haul problems as known in this
country, and which are the rule and
not the exception in Siberia.
lowing to the Bolshevik uprisings
and the general chaotic conditions.
neither Mr. Stevens nor the Rus
sian Railway Service Corps was able
TO begin to work in Siberia until
March, 1918. They have been able
to operate effectively only since the
railway plan was adopted in Febru-
airy. 1919.
"The most recent report from Mr..
stevens shows that on part of the
Chinese Eastern and Trans Baikal
Railway he is now running six trains
a day each way. while a little wniie
ago they were only able to run that
many trains per week.
I'm accepting the railway plan,
It was provided that some protection
should be given by the allied forces.
Mr.. Stevens stated frankly that he
would not undertake the arduous task
before him unless he could rely upon
support from American troops in an
emergency. Accordingly as provid-
ed in the railway plan. and with the
approval of the Inter allied Commit
tee, the military commander in ST.
IBERIA has established troops where
It is necessary to maintain order at
different parts Of the lines. The Am
erican forces under General Graves
are understood to be protecting parts
Of the line near Vladivostok and
also on the section around Verchne
Udinsk. There is also understood to
Hardin. The exact location from
time to time of American troops is,
however. subject to change by the
direction Of General Graves. =,
The instructions to General
Graves direct him not to interfere
In Russian affairs. but to support Mr..