New-York tribune., 1922-04-10
Sera1ep,off Tells
HowEEcAye1lgcd
Two u. S. Dead
Executed Colonel at Head
of Cossacks Who Fired on
Troops, He Says, Denying
Morrow Murder Charges
Bolshcv;ki Caused Strife
Former Aide Defends Chief
Who IT, Accused Here Of
Huge Theft i'm Siberia

Tuge IHcft III SIDerla
General Gregory SemenoT, who be-
came ataman Of 100000 Cossacks
fter the fall of Admiral Kolchak be
fore the Bolshevik sweep across
Siberia, denied yesterday that he is
either an enemy Of America" or NJ,
unruly bandit. He said that while it
was true band of Cossacks fired on
the American cxpeditionary force in
Siberia, killing two, he had ordered a
prompt inquiry and among those who
were found guilty and shot was
/ Colonel Popoff, to whose command the
Cossacks involved belonged.
Gen"'a ~ Semenotf declared the
trouble between his men and the
Americans was due entirely to the Boil
sheviki, who did their utmost to stir up
trouble. He had gathered under his
command, he said, all kinds and classes
of Siberlans, about a nucleus formed of
the original Russian army.
Former Subordinate Upholds Him
former member Of General Semen
offs force, Colonel George Kroupsky,
now residing at 50 West Sixty fifth
Street, last night gave out n telegram
which he sent to Secretary of State
Hughes in reply to the charges of
Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Nor
row, who asserted that General Semen
off was guilty of the "treacherous
murder of American soldiers"
Colonel kroupsky's telegram calls
incorrect. He corroborates General
Semenoff's statement chat one officer
was executed. 4 general, he says, was
sent to Jail.
General Semenoff also gave an ac-
count Of how he became involved in
the Siberian situation. While on the
Turkish front in 1917, where he had
been transferred from the German
front, he recommended to the War
Minister that men from the deep in
I terror of Siberia be brought forward
to replace troops disafected by the
German propaganda. lie was in
structed to go himself and raise q
volunteer force. lie was promoted
from lieutenant to captain and pro
cecded to Siberia, where he had been
educated at the Cossack Military
Academy.
His mission was interrupted by the
Bclshcvik uprising. He communicated
with the foreign representatives, in
China, and received assistance through
them from Great Britain. France
Japan and China. Shortly afterward
he ackEow lodged Admiral kolchsk as
his superior
Tells of Dispute With kolchah
Il fought for Koichak against the
Bolsheviki' General Semenotf said
1--WE differed as to the course to be
followed. Admiral Kolchak wanted to
attempt the subsection of all Russia.
! told him 10 stay in Siberia. as 4 could
take care Of the territory there
Kolchak commissioned him colonel
two months before the Bolsheviki cap
tured the former on q railroad train
that few the Allied flags. Semenotf
left Siberia in December, 1920, but re-
turned in May. 1921, and remained
until the japanese told him he had
better depart "for good
81 could not attack Americans,' Gen
, eral Semenof explained, "and then eX-
/ pect to get help from the Allies. We
I shot the colonel who was in command
of those men who killed the Americans
. The trouble arose over Bolsheviki prop
among the Cossacks who did the shoot
ing. considered myself Kolchak's
successor in Siberia and later was
elected ataman by 12,O00,000 peop G. D.
Finally the Rolsheviki beceme tee
strong, General SemenofT said, his
! forces began to break up and some in
dependent governments were estab-
lished. He had no money with which
TO maintain his authority. as the sup.
ply of foreign funds ceased.
Disclaims Knowledge OF Goods
81 know nothing about these goods
he continued, speaking of the merchan-
dise OF the Yourovetta Home and
Foreign Trade Corporation. which led
| to his arrest end release in S25,000 bail
on a charge OF theft when he reache ID
| New York Thursday night.
military law ever since the European
war began. My force was conducted
strictly according to the Russian mill
tary law, with the various depa rtmcnts
and with a high civil court. I could
not know everything my men were
doing. knew nothing about any suit
brought in China. I don't know how |
can be sued at all. as | had no knowl-
edge of any Of the things mentioned
in this suit.
when | reached Washington 7
visited the Russian division of the
State Department and had long, un-
official talk with Mr.. Pool. also
talked notIicially with the War and
Navy departments. have the govern
mems permission to be in America and
! there was nothing secret about my
visit"