South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-17
Is Reply to Communication to
State Department OF
Dec. 8.
MAKE STUDY OF SITUATION
Claim ReinforCementS Would
be Impractical to Main
tain Status Quo.
by Associated Press

by Associated Press
WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.-Reasons
which brought about the decision
of the United States government -
withdraw the siberian expeditiorary
force have been set forth IN a note
to the Japanese government. The
note, which Is IN reply 10 commU-
nication OF the japanese transmit
ted 70 the state department DeCem-
Der 8. was made public Friday night
Japan in its communication i'm
CURED whether the United States
proposed TO maintain the status QUO.
or 10 proceed 10 entire or partial
withdrawal of its troops or whether
fl was ready TO send reinforcements
IN case Of need
In replying that under existing
circumstances IL was deemed advisa-
bIe 10 withdraw the expeditionary
force. the United States asserts thar
reinforcement would be Impractical
and that to maintain the status QUO
might involve the government of the
United States in an undertaking OF
such indefinite character as 90 be
inadvisa BILE"
The note follows in part.
The government of the United
States has given the most careful
consideration TO the subject matter
OF the communication from the ia
panese government which was read
10 the secretary OF state by tho Ja-
panese ambassador on the Sth dav
OF December and which concerns the
recent unfavorablc aspect OF the mill
itary situation with which Admiral
KOlchak's forces have been con-
fronted and which proposes three al
tentative courses for the allied and
associated powers TO take.
HmpraCtiCabIe Plan.
The government OF the United
States agrees that for 10 20 send "a
reinforcement OF sufficient strength
and 20 act on the offensive ion Coz
operation with anti-bolshevfk forces
Is impracucable
THE government OF the United
States conceives that for it 20 con-
tinue 70 participate in guarding the
II
protection is also under present con-
ditions impraCticable FOR the rea-
son that an agreement TO send rein
forcements 10 such extent as may ne
required with a view 20 maintain
the status quo. might involve the
government of the United States in
an undertaking OF such indefinite
character as 20 be inadvisable. The
amount OF reinforcement which
might become necessary for the exc
ecution OF such an agreement might
be SO great that the government ~
the United States would not feel
justified In carrying It out
Consideration has been given.
therefore 20 the alternative present
ed by the government OF Japan of
entire or partial Withdrawal. II viii
be recalled that the purposes of the
expedition as originally conceived by
the United States and expressed in
an aide memOire handed 90 the Ju-
panese ambassador az Washington,
July II. 1918, were. first. 10 help
the Czecho- Slovak troops which had
during their retirement along the ST.
berian railway been attacked by the
BoIsheviki and enemy prisoners Of
war In Siberia % consolidate their
forces and effect their repatriation
by way OF |ladivOstok, and second,
20 steady any efforts AZ self-govern-
ment or self-defense in which the
Russians themselves might be wIll-
ing 20 accept assistance
Troops Advancing.
Not only are the Czecho-S SIova s
troops successfully advancing into
eastern Siberia, but an agreement has
been effected between the govern
ments OF Great Britain and the
United States providing for their re-
patriauon from Vladivostok.
with respect 20 the second pur-
pose namely. the steadying % ef-
forts ar self governm ent or seif-de-
fense on the part Of the Russians the
government OF the United states is
impressed with the political irsta-
bility and grave uncertainties OF The
present situation in eastern Siberia
as described in the aide memoire
presented by the japanese ambas-
ador December 3. and g. disposed 20
the view that further military ef-
fort 90 assist the Russians in the
struggle toward self government may
in the present situation. lead 20
complications which would have ey-
actiy the opposite effect proionging
possibly the period OF readiustment
and Involving Japan and the United