The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1919-11-21
ARRIVES SATURDAY
FROM SIBERIAN SERVICE
TRAVELS 10000 MILES ,
WHILE WITH THE ARMY
SAYS Army Life a Bore But Would
Not Have Missed Experience or
Service of Country.

MoQlna ClllzeuS NetNC
much interest in the return from over
seas of soldier boys from this county,
but especial interest centers about
the return of Howard Sheppard, who
arrived in Medina Saturday, because
of the fact that he was one OF our
bows in far-off Russia. Young Shep-
pard spent a year and 8 days IN
Alaska, being stationed most Of the
time at Vladivostok. He went into
training at Camp Fremont, Cal, 60
ing from Chicago where he was EN-.
Moved il the large dry goods store OF
Carssn, Pierre Scott & Co. HIS reg
iment crossed the Pacific both coming
and going, and in all he travelled
about 10000 miles. Speaking of his
service and experience he says:
There are 5000 men in the Ameri-
can expedition in Russia and while
some are being withdrawn other
Americans are taking their places so
as to hold the number practically m
tact. Japan has $4,000 and all the
other Allies are represented by falr
contingents.
The Russians are very ignorant
and naturally suspicious. The Cos
sacks especially are not our friends,
and seem to fear that we may take
away something that does not belong
to us. U. S. soldiers are not permitted
to carry side arms on leave, and
there was always danger OF some one
knitting or shooting one. Our boys
when on leave, always went around
in groups of threes and fours, for
mutual protection. Soldiers of other
nationalities were permitted TO go
armed; American officers would not
permit us.
Siberia is one of the richest coun-
tries in the world today. There Is
an abundance oi precious minerals OF
ell kinds, while the platinum deposits
are of great value and there is
enough 70 pay the total expense OF
the world war. But these mines are
not being worked as they should oe.
American miners wanted to bring in
machinery and get big results but
native Russians would not permit 1t
for fear they might suffer in the
profits of the foreigners.
The country is rich as an agricul-
tural country, too; big crops Of wheat
and vegetables are produced, and
bring good prices. Fruits come large
lv from Japan as the weather is so
severe winters as to kill vines and
trees.
The Kolchat government is accom-
plishing many things but at this time
It is slipping and the day may not be
far distant when it will be over
J thrown 1t looks as if it were wise
for the Allies to keep hands off until
Russia finally awakens to the fact that
she needs help; it's hard to help
when one don't know that he needs it
and thinks he can care for himself.
One sad sight was the Baldwin To-
comotives-about 100-half stored
and going to wreck in the elements.
These are new engines sent over since
the war began that are badly needed
on the Russian railways now but toE
some reason are not being put TO-
gether and set to work. There is a
great lack of accomplishment all
along the line through the whole ma
ton so far as saw it.
About the only big industry that is
pushing forward is the shipbuildlng
There has been no let-up in this sc
far as | could see. But wages are 9
fright and no one seems to have much
ambition to work. One man OF fam
lily of six, living in one room, receives
900 rubles in Russian money, which
is now equal to about So in our money
Not much of an incentive to worl
hard.
There are some of our boys 170'
miles inland, and it takes three week
to 90 in OF out, transportation is s.
slow there. Railway service is abom
Unable and under the present govern
ment it isn't likely to improve fast
Our boys are anxious to get home
the daily routine is killing; not a fey
boys 20 crazy from inaction; one bo
jumped off the boat on the way hom
and each ship returning carries
number of men under observation
Just the inaction that does it.
The Russian army would hav
taken Berlin if it's supply trains ha
kept pace with the advance. Th
traitorous Czarina was responsible
for the delay-a manufactured della
that came from German bribery. Tk
Russian army was one of the best
the world and as long as supporte
properly nothing could stop it. B,
Rasputin, who was paid emissary I
the Kaiser, did his dirty work ar
the downfall of Russia resulted.
saw an American officer who W;
with the royal family for some weel
before the massacre and he sa,
4La,ro ;r M dn,,ht ,,rl n to,ro,. thnt tLI