The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-30
Most Serious Incident Since
Allies Landed There.
Q. s. Captain and Corporal Ar
rested by "Siberian Villa"
PROBE JAPAK'S HAND IN IT
Said To Have Interfered Be-
tween Z. S. and Russians.
GraVes Demands Apology From
ROSeanOff for Imam Affair.".
Dy the Associated Press. }

Vladivostok. Sept. 19.-Maj. Gen.
William S. Graves. commander OF
American forces in Siberia, has de-
manded an apology from General
Roseanoff in command OF Russian
troops in Priamur province for the
arrest of Capt. L. p. Johns of the 2Tth
regiment and Capt. Benjamin Sperl-
ing of the S1st and the flogging OF the
General Kalnikoff
An investigation of the conduct of
a japanese officer at Imam, the place
where the arrests took place, has also
been begun by the Japanese high COM
mand. The incident, which occurred
September 5, is considered one OF the
most serious since the allies landed in
Siberia.
Were on Official Business.
The two Americans. in uniform and
on official business, went to Imam a
town 170 miles north of this city on
the section of the railroad guarded by
Chinese troops, passports being un-
necessary by agreement OF the allies.
While they were at a hotel there
detachment of Cossacks entered and
arrested the Americans claiming they
were not provided with Identification
papers. Captain Johns managed to
escape and, catching a moving train.
went to Sposske, where he reported
to the American officer in command
A detachment Of $50 Americans from
the twenty-seventh regiment at once
entrained and went to Imam to effect
Sperling's release and, arriving there
took three Cossacks as hostages.
A preliminary investigation OF the
incident shows, 1t is said that SperlinR
was flogged, a punishment that is
usually meted out to a recalcitrant
Cossack. General Kalnikoff who IL
considered by Americans here as a
siberian villa" has. with his band,
been a constant source OF trouble, II
/ is charged. his raids being marked by
4 cruelties and atrocities He was re-
Gently appointed military commander
! of Khaborovks district by General
Rosanoff 1t is alleged this has
brought about an increase in his activ-
tiles
War Department Order.
Washington. Sept. 3O.-Major Cen
eral Graves, commanding the Ameri-
can forces in Siberia, is understood to
have acted upon official instructions
| from the war department in demand
! ing an apology from the Cossack COM
I mander for the flogging of an Ameri-
can soldier and investigation of Jap
anese interference between the Amer
| lean and Cossack forces.
| General Graves has reported the in
cident in detail and army officials said
today the situation was the most seri-
| GUS which has occurred since the
American forces went into Siberia.
1t became known today that Col.
I Oliver H. Robinson, chief. of staff to
General Graves. is en- route home. but
no statement was forthcoming as 10
whether his trip had to do with this
incident Officers here assumed that
he would report on this case as well
| as the several clashes which have oc-
CURED between the Americans and
Bolsheviki bands.
! Secretary Baker said today that
Major General Graves. commanding
the American forces in Siberia, had
informed the department that an Of
ficer and enlisted man had been held
by Cossa clks and released upon his de-
mand, and that the smatter had been
referred to the state department for
! subsequent action. The department.
! Mr.. Baker said, had not heard of the
reported interference by a Japanese
officer with American troops sent to
effect the release of the enlisted man.
Department records" said the Sec
retary, "only show that an officer and
an enlisted man were held by Cossacks
and were released on the demand OF
General Graves. We have not heard
of the japanese incident The mat
ter has been referred TO the state de-
partment for subsequent action"