Douglas Island news., 1919-07-25
ALASKA GENERAL
 MAKES SPEECH
General Richardson, for Many Years in Alaska, Talks to American
 Troops in Siberia

ican troops In North RuHia. a sum mary of which was received iu thc Amociatcd Press service some time ieo. The speech wos delivered on Inc occasion of tho vlsit of General Richardson io tho American troops
 iong Che railroad front and waa us tollows
 "l did not como up here Go mako a formal inspection oi the troops in a military sonsc but more Co get acquainted with you m Che most in- formal way possible to lot you sec tho sort of man that has been sent mp here as your commanding general In North Russia. to hoar hls voice and know who ho Ia. came mp here to soc you. Co lok you ln Che foco, see how you stood last winter. and In scnso to get acquainted and Go set in touch and sympathy with you. However your commanding officer Major Nichols. formed you for inc spcction this morning, which ] was very pleased Co see, and want Co say frankly without reservation. that was agrccohly surprised Co and you n as good shape. healthy and presenting such neat and clean appearance; standing up like soldiers. Che way you stood up thls morning. and was very glad to soc you iu ranks While your uniforms were not new. having been worn an winter it shows chat you have done your duty
 "Whcn ! was detailed to como Co North Russia. General Pershing. commander in chief of Che oxpedi-
 iouary forces. told mo that ho de- sired me to come up Co command tho troops. help out if J could. and Go cheer them up. as he had am Idea that you thought you had been over looked and forgotten. and were not part of Che A. E. F. When ] are rived here found a telegram from General Pcrshing stating briefly au ! could have said. more and better and only want to emphasize to vou that which was sent out and published. that your comrades In France have been doing wonderful work iust as wou as you have un here. Your poaplo are pleased and proud Of you. they have not forgot ten you. nor has Che A. E. P. in France They want to sec you come home as soon as you con. with Che right spirit and without any net by company or individual that you win be ashamed of You are horo to do certain duty. determined by tho highest authority of our country and in others ot our allies, and by Che best minds m thc world. ln cone ncction with this great world war which we have been wagIng and were drawn into through no fault 1f our own.
 While Che 339th and other de- nchmcnts that have come with them . to perform a share of tho work in North Russia seemed far away and 1t times you perhaps fclt lonely and that you were. not getting tho same consideration. you stun were os much part Of Che game. as far as forces stand, as any portion of Che western front
 "I know that you have performed vour duty well lf thcro arc any things you have failed In they have been minor matters and they win bo forgotten and corrected; but want Co charge every one Of you Chat YOU must not and should not do any jingle thing during these last weeks 'hat you win have Go regret in tho future or tcl to your fricncs at home
 "The American soldier has made great name for himself Iu France and in Russia. and Che folks at home win receive you back with open arms. it is not necessary for me Go teu you or remind you that you would feel very badly and very much ashamed Co receive that honor when you felt there was something you left behind that you would not like Co tell.
 zone particular thing chat ! think you ought Go know. and um author ized to ten you. Is that there is no question about your going home oncc Che time arrives that is. as soon as possible when navigation ] is open and transports arrive to take you. There has been some doubt expressed on that subject discussion. etc. 10 is settled. but whether others win como Go take your place Ia for some one else to determine. ] have Che assurance Of your President that he wants you out as soon as possible in Che spring. and Chat you have done an that Is expected of you
 Incidentally ! want Co say that you win probably SO earlier from North Russia chan you would have returned from France f you had gone lhcrc Tho S5th division has gone home in theory and skeleton. havin been taken and d.spcrscd over France as replacement units Divisions go back In Che order Iu
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