The Washington times., 1920-01-17
SIBERIA WORK OVER,
US. TELLS JAPAN
ImpracticabIe to Continue, Note
Says-Main Purposes
Fulfilled.

Reasons which brought about the
decision OF the United States Govern
ment to withdraw the Siberian eNpe-
ditionary force have been set forth In
note to the Japanese government.
The note, which is in reply to a COM
munication of the Japanese govern
ment transmitted to the state Depart
ment December S, was made public
| last night.
| Japan in it's communication in
quired whether the United States
proposed to maintain the status quo,
or to proceed to entire or partial
withdrawal of its troops, or whether
it was ready to send reinforcements
| in case of need.
| In replying that under existing cir
cumstances II was deemed advisable
to withdraw the expeditionary force,
! the United States asserts that REIN
! forcement would be impracticable
| and that to maintain the status quo
| might involve the government of the
United States in an undertaking OF
such indefinite character as to be in
advisable"
Other Aspects Set Forth.
| other aspects of the Siberian situa-
ton are set forth in the American
| note as follows:
1T will be recalled that the pur-
pose of the expedition, as originally
conceived by the United states, and
expressed in an aide cemoire, handed
to the Japanese ambassador at Wash
! ington, July II, 1918, were, first, to
help the CZecho-Slovak troops, which
had, during their retirement along
| the Siberian railway, been attacked
by the Bolsheviki and enemy prison.
| ers of war in Siberia, to consolidate
their forces and effect their repatria-
tion by way of Vladivostok, and, sec
ond, to steady any effort at self-gov-
ernment or self-defense in which the
Russians themselves might be willing
to accept assistance.
mot only are the CZecho-Slovak
troops now successfully advancing in
eastern Siberia, but an agreement has
been effected between the govern
ments of Great Britain and the
United States providing for their re-
patriation from Vladivostok. Ameri-
can vessels will begin to arrive At
that port by February ], and con-
tingent of more than 10000 Czecho-
Slovak troops can be Immediately en-
| barked. 1t is expected that evacua-
| tion will proceed rapidly thereafter
and from that date the first purpose
for which American soldiers were
sent to Siberia may be regarded as
| accomplished
with respect to the second pur-
|
at self-government or self-defense on
the part of the Russians, the govern
ment of the United States is impressed
with the political instability and
grave uncertainties of the present
| situation in eastern Siberia, as de-
! scribed in the aide memoire presented
J by the Japanese ambassador Decem-
| Der s, and is disposed to the view
that further military effort to assist
io,, In, ctt srerIa xr1
self-government may, in the present
situation, lead to complications which
would have exactly the opposite
effect, prolonging possibly the period
of readjustment and involving japan
and the United States in ineffective
and needless sacrifices.
Purposes Accomplished.
{ an view, then, OF the fact that the
main purposes for which American
| troops were sent to Siberia are now
| at an end and of the considerations
set forth in the communication of the
| Japanese government of December 4.
| which subsequent events in eastern
| Siberia have strengthened, the Gov
ernment of the United States has de-
| cided to begin at once arrangements
for the concentration of the American
forces at Nladivistok, with a view to
their embarkatior and departure inn
mediatcly atter tne leaving OF the
first important contingent of Czecho-
Slovak troops-that is to say, about
February 1.
"The Government OF the United
States desires the Japanese govern
ment to know that II regrets the
necessity for this decision, because 1t
seems to mark the end, for the time
being, at least, of cooperative effort
by Japan and the United States to
assist the Russian people, which had
| of late begun to bear important re-
| suits and seemed to give promise for
the future. The Government of the
United States is most appreciative OF
the friendly spirit which has anima-
ted the government of Japan in this
undertaking and is convinced that
the bapis of understanding which has
Nbeen established will serve in the fu-
ture to facilitate the common efforts
OF the two countries to deal with the
problems which confront them in ST.
IBERIA. Tho Government OF the United
states does not in the least relinquish
the deep interest which II feels in
the political and economic fate OF the
people OF Siberia nor its purpose to
cooperate with Japan in the most
frank and friendly way in all prac-
tical plans which " be worked out
for the political an economic reha-
bllitatlon OF that region"