Figure 1.-- General Hugh L. Scott was part of the Root Commisdsion to Russia during World war I. Scott was an eklder statesmen of the U.S. Army. His career began with the Indian Wars. He was also involved in the Spanish Anerican War, The Phillipines Insurgency, and the Puntive Expeditiion go Mexico. He prepared a valuable role in creating the vast conscrip army that Ametica was preparing to send to France. Here he is in Russia (June 1917).

Elihu Root (1845-1937) was President Roosevelt's second secretary of state and a respected figure in the Republican Party. After the outbreak of World War I he criticised President Wilson's policy of neutrality. He was an importahnt contender for the 1916 Republican presidential nomination. After entering the War, the United tates was concerned about Russia which was an importabt part of the Allied war effort. American officials were not only concerned about Russia quitting the War, but the possibility that the Russians could join the Central Powers. President Wilson asked Root to head a commission to Russia and determine how the United states could aid the new Provisional Government which had replaced the Tsaris regimes. It was an arduous assignment for the 72-year old Root. The Commision had quite an eclectic composition. The Commission consisted of labor leader James Duncan, socialist Charles Edward Russell, General Hugh L. Scott, Admiral James H. Glennon, New York financeer Samuel R. Bertron, John Mott, and Charles Richard Crane. They traveled to Vladivostok where American supplies were being delivered. The Commission was given the Tsar's train o travel over the country. Root was not impressed by ehat he saw in Russia which was beginnining to desintegrate under relentless German pressure. His conclusion that the Russians "are sincerely, kindly, good people but confused and dazed." He made it clear that while the United States was prepared to grant war loans, this would only be done if Russia remained in the War.

Created: 9:46 AM 8/18/2012
Last updated: 9:46 AM 8/18/2012