Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24

the bodies arrived and supervised preparations
for the journey home He came back few
days in advance Of the President Roosevelt.
Gen. John J. Pershing also returned from
France ahead Of the bodies Of the men, who,
however, were not under his command while on
the Russian front.
President wilson gave to the press on August
4. 1915, statement Of the reasons for sending
American troops to Russia, which, In addition
to the reasons already stated, made It clear that
the United States had no intention Of inter-
fering IN the internal affairs Of Russia or per.
hitting any impairment Of Russian territorial
integrity
Americans at Archangel the World War ended
in the armistice Of November IL, 1918. This
seemed to the United States to make any
further use Of troops unnecessary In Russia.
but since the port Of Archangel is frozen up
and cannot be reached by ships during the
Americans could be completely evacuated The
British and other troops remained several
months longer.
In the meanwhile, on the Pacific side, about
1000 American soldiers were in the allied exc
petition to that area. The CzechS. after many
reverSes, left Russia and Q contingent came
to Washington en- route to Europe and paraded
through the White House grounds as an exc
preston Of appreciation to the United States
for the aid given them and to the Czechoslovak
through the influence Of the United States. It
was not until April, 1920, that the American
forces were withdrawn from Siberia.
Senator Vandenberg commented upon the
In Russia. At Archangel they fought at times
in temperature 80 degrees below zero. The
Michigan, or Polar Bear" Division was Sc.
lected for this expedition because It was con-
sidered that they we're more used to cold
weather. The country around Archangel has
nrnA
and rivers which made it a difficult terrain
for fighting.
Capt. Stuart Duncan Campbell directed the
group Of veterans who went to Soviet Russia
last Summer to find the bodies. There are few
railroad lines In this section Of Russia and
boats were supplied by the Soviet for making
the searches along the banks of the rivers
The Americans found the temperature In
August turning cold and clad themselves in
Russian boots, coats and caps to combat the
weather. They had to rush the work before
the Arctic Winter could stop them and per-
hapS prevent the return of the bodies until
next Spring.
THAT they were able to recover as many as
Sc bodies after 10 years is considered
highly successful piece Of work. Capt. Edwin
s. Bettelheim jr, Of Washington, was Coz
director Of the mission with Capt Campbell.
As the train bearing the bodies from Arch
angel to Leningrad passed through the country
and villages the Russian peasants and Red
soldiers stood at attention. There was no re.
ligious ceremony in Russia. Michigan viii give
a reverent reception to the heroes.
While In France Maj. Gen. Cheatham ar
ranged for the visit next Summer Of about
5000 Gold Star Mothers to the American GEM
eteries in that country where more than $4,000
doughboys are buried Congress has appropri-
ated funds for paying the expenses of the
mothers who wish to see the graves Of their
sons and the first group likely win sail next
May. With the return Of the bodies Of the
Michigan men to their native soil the parents
viii not be faced with the necessity of making
the long and difficult trip to Russia, If it could
be made, which, under all the circumstances,
seems improbable.