The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-30
RUSS FLOCS
US. SOLDIER;
SATISFACTION
is DEMANDED
Villa of Siberia Captures
Two American Soldiers,
Holds Them, Has His Co.'S
sacks Whip One.
JAPANESE INTERFERE
(By Associated Press)

.VLADIVOSTOK, Friday, Sept. 10.
)-Major-General William S.
Graves, commander of American fore.
es in Siberia, has demanded an apol-
ogy from Gen. Rozanoff, in command
of Russian troops In Priamur province
for the arrest Of Captain l.. P. Johns,
of the Twenty-seventh regiment, and
Corporal Benjamin Sperling of the
latter by Cossacks commanded by
Gen. Kalmikoff.
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 8, is considered one of the
most serious since the allies landed in
Siberia.
The two Americans in uniform and
on official business, went to Imam, a
town ITO miles north OF this city on
the section of the railway guarded by
Chinese troops, passports being un-
necessary by agreement between the
allies. While they were at a hotel
there a detachment Of Cossacks enter
ed and arrested the Americans claim
ing they were not provided with ident-
ifcations papers.
Captain Johns managed to escape
and, catching moving train. went to
Spasske, where he reported to the
American officer In command. A de.
tachment of $50 Americans from the
Twentyseventh regiment at once en-
trained and went to Imam to effect
Sperling's release and arriving there,
took three cossacks as hostages.
Japanese Interfere.
They found General KaImikoff' 9
men entreDChed near the station and
were prepared to use force against
them when Japanese major interced-
ed for the coasacks, stating 1t is al
legged that in the event of hostilittes
between the Americans and Cossacks.
the Japanese troops at Imam would
side with the latter.
He at last told the Americans that
Sperlirg had been taken to Khabor-
ovsk, where General Kalmikoff has his
headquarters.
A telegraphic demand for Speriing
was sent to Khaborovsk and a reply
was received that he would be re-
leased at once. The Americans then
returned to Spasske, taking their host.
ages with them.
A preliminary investigation of the
incident shows 1t is said. that Sper-
ling was flogged, a punishment that
is usually meted out to a recalcitrant
Cossack General Kalmikoff, who is
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
cTuelties and atrocities He was re
Gently appointed military commander
of the Khaborovsk district by Genera
Rosanoff, and 1t is alleged this has
brought about an incresae in his
activities.
WASHINGTON ORDERS APOLOGY
WASHINGTON, Sept 80. - Major
General Graves, commanding the
American forces in Siberia, Is under
stood to have acted upon official in
structions from the war department ir
demanding an apology from the Cos
sack commander for the flogging of ar
American soldier, and an investigation
of Japanese interference between the
American and Cossack forces
General Graves has reported the in
cident in detail and army officials sait
today the situation was the most ser
ious which has occurred since tn,
American forces went into Siberia