Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-09-02
ASK IF BORAH
TOIDUNTRUTH
BY IGNORANCE:
Talk About American Sol
diers in Siberia Brings
War Department Statement
DR.. G.. A. Green Writes to
Washington for Direct In
formation Regarding Troops

w cto4l1115 GO1A III LII GU Ill
formation Regarding Troops
U. S. Senator William E. Borah IS
speech in Grangeville three weeks ago,
in which he bitterly attacked the lea
que of nations covenant, has provOk-
ed much comment especially among
supporters Of the league plan.
Several have taken issue with the
senator, challenging through the press
and otherwise, statements he made in
his speech here. DR.. G. A. Green, who
was especially interested in the sena-
tor IS reference to American soldiers in
Russia, wrote the war department at
Washington, inquiring as to rea-
son for American soldiers in
Russia. In a communication to the Free
Press, DR.. Green writes as follows:
is BoRAH IGNORANT?
"Did Mr.. Borah, in his speech in
Grangeville recently, deliberately mis-
represent national affairs, or is he
woefully ignorant2 This question was
asked by one of his hearers when
Senator Borah stated that the lea
que of nations could transport any
number of our boys to any part of
the globe they wished, for whatever
purpose they desired, and the congress
of the United States, nor the peo-
pie nor the soldier boys, themselves
would have nothing to say about it.
To prove this statement, Senator Bor-
all stated that the allies had so trans
ported ten thousand of our boys to
Siberia, and no one, not even con-
gress, knew how they got there,
nor for what purpose they were being
held there. And Senator Borah said
very emphatically that no one was able
to find out. -
REPLY FROM WASHINGTON
The senator's statement, which he
felt was false, 50 aroused DR.. Green,
that he vote to the war department,
and has Just received the following
letter in reply:
"eYour letter of August 16, with
reference to our troops in Siberia,
has been referred to me by the sec
rotary Of war.
81 desire to inform YOU that the use
of American troops in Siberia was en-
tirelv a war measure. undertaken while
the war was in active progress and
long before the signing Of the ar
mistice. Consequently this action has
no connection with the league of ma
tons
Gas stated by the president in
his message to the senate in response
to its resolution on June %, 1919, on
page 237 of the chief of staff s an
nual report of June 80, 1919, the mis-
sion of the American iExpeditionary
force in Siberia was as follows:
WHY TROOPS WERE SENT
g .The decision to send small ex-
force to Vladivostok,
which was announced in August, 1913,
was arrived at after careful con
of the entire situation by
the representatives of the allied and as
sociated powers The plans and pur
poses of the United States in taking
this action were made public at the
time. They contemplated that this
force should be utilized to render such
protection and help as was possible
10 the Czecho-Slovaks against the
armed Austrian and German prisoners
who were attacking them, to safe
guard as far as it might the country |
to the rear of the westward moving |
Czecho- Slovaks, and to guard military |
stores which might later be needed |
by Russian troops, against capture or
against destruction by German agents.
In addition to these functions, which |
we're essentially of military import
lnce, it was the purpose of this force
10 protect, and TO assist in forwarding
arge quantities of supplies which the
Russian authorities in this country had
in shipping to Siberia. The
'esources of that country had been
almost exhausted by the chaotic con-
litions existing there: the inhabi-
ants, including the women and child
rem, had practically no shoes or
warm clothing, and had little food;
here was great need of agricultural
Implements and of many of the ar
icles of commerce which are essential
o fruitful industry.
3" In order to do this, it was nee
.ssaiy to keep open, and to assist in
he operation of the Siberian railroad,
which was not only the main artery
+ transportation in Siberia, but was
he only access open to European
russia Partisan bands, having no
Connection with any organized
under transitOry
eaders giving allegiance to no
were constantly menacingi
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