The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-03-20
US. TROOPS
IN RUSSIA
ARETIRADED
Systematic Press Propaganda
Distorts Facts and Is Calculat-
ed to Sow Disc0rd
RUSSIANS ARE
READY LISTENERS
Due to Distrust in Some Quar-
tiers Americans are Dubbed
Friends of B0lshevi6

Vladivistok, March 19.-Never since
the landing here Of troops In August
has there been such widespread cril-
cism or the United States. The news
papers are full Of Trades and ingen-
ious distortions Of facts calculated TO
,sow discord among Americans. RUS
SLAMS and Americas allies. 1t is an
unquestioned fact there ID a systems
tic campaign. Some newspapers OF
Siberia, 1t appears have been subst-s
died and are distinctly hostile to the
United States.
The Russians, never confident re-
garding the intentions Of the Ameri-
cans, have been ready listeners ana
the legitimate Russian press reprints
the editorials on fabrications that
have been put In circulation.
Beginning with the disappointment
over the passiveness Of Americas In
terventicn. the sentiment developed
mistrust and an outspoken hostility
in many quarters to the Princess Is
lands proposal for conference OF ali
Russian factions with the allies just
ly or otherwise credited to President
Wilson.
Americans were instantly dubbed
friends of the Bolsheviki and the idea
was quickly utilised by an unfriendly
press and accepted in the political cir
cles OF the Russians generally. There
Is no effective means here Of COM
batting this propaganda and the re-
suit is that the United States has few
champions In any class or panty.
ReAssurancej by Major Eenera1
WIN. S. Grave. M. rn,litasy conmans q
der here. reeardlne AmeF3uA's n6n-
~ A.
Hten 13fnd wnl r 3 IL -
Ia ne m aha7{e9 y 1ktefxssSncs and
on-int1 \ t1eiUnce BY definite charges
OF pro- -Dolnhevism here and abroad.
arising from the refusals OF the Amer
leans to cooperate with its military
against the alleged Bolsheviki in the
Amur district.
The giving Of asylum to the Cos
sacks in the revolt recently was CON-
strued in a similar way. This incl
dent. however, was the only one OF
a maligning character to draw fire.
Col Henry d. Styler. who has been ac-
tive for the Americans In the Cossack
controversy wrote to the Newspaper
an explanation Of the affair In
which he fully outlined the stand in
q military way.
Only the Americans to whom the
Russian looked for help and sympathy
are considered to have failed, not be-
canse Of their failure to send moro
troops, q hope which has long: since
been abandoned. but for lack of moral
and material support such a. other
nations are giving.
This il not solely the goverpment's
view, though 1t naturally Graves SYM
pathy and aid. Among its officials
there are others who resent the pres-
ence and passivity Of the troops and
the alleged encouragement by Amect-
ca of their enemy, the Bolsheviki A
representative of the Omsl< govern
ment in discussing the situation. con-
fessed himself and his superiors mys-
titled by the silence Of the United
States on vital matters Of policy. He
complained OF the misuse Of American
by former refugees who
have returned and become agitators
here and declared persons of this
character were discrediting America.
The Omsk official also said there
was tendency to judge severely acts
Of expediency and necessity whicn
this government had taken. He said
thees acts were not fully understood.
He cited the recent arrests of MEM
bers- of. the Zemstvo which he de-
clared were justifiable and were made
in accordance with military law. The
arrested men were safely lodged in jail
at Projranitchnaya waiting for civil
trial on charges OF reasonable con-
spiracy.