The Sentinel=record., 1914-08-18
JAPAN IN
 EARNEST
ISLAND KINGDOM GIVES GER MANY A LIMITED TIME TO VA CATE CHINA AND THE SEAS OF THE ORIENT WITH HER ARMY AND NAVY.

Washington, Aug. 17.-Japan's sud. den entry into the European war sit. uatlon as a factor which might quickly increase the range of the great conflict to the far east com manded wide attention today both among officials of the Washington government and the diplomats gen. erally.
 The attitude of the United States. it became clear, would be one of non interference in the controversy be- tween Japan and Germany. This was reflected somewhat in the studied reticense of both President Wilson and Secretary Bryan. The president had been asked whether Japan's as surance that she eventually wou q restore Kiau Chau to China in case that territory was obtained from Germany, was regarded as satisfac- tory here.
 Mir. Wilson replied that he saw na reason to question Japan's good faith in this connection, but carefully re- trained from expressing any opinion on the merits of the ultimatum or Japan's attitude. Published reports to the effect that the president had expressed himself as satisfied With Japan's course were promtply denied by Secretary THmulty today at sAe Dresidpnt'S diraotion
 The president feels it incumbent on himself" said Secretary Tumu.ty. 'as the head of a neutral nation. to express no opinions whatsoever on the attitude of Japan or any other country"
 Diplomatic despatches brought no further information as to the future course of either Japan or Germany, but official Washington was diverted for the moment from the thought Of hostilities in Europe to hypothetical consideration of how American pos sessions in the far east ultimately might be affected by the results of an extension of the war to the orient
 Army strategists discussed among themselves whether Japan might not also take the German possessions in the Samoan and Caroline islands, which are on the American line of communication to the Philippines, and how that eventually might affect the interests of the American gov ernment in the Pacific.
 It was pointed out in Japanese cir cles that the ultimatum to Germany applies specifically to the German oc- equation of territory on the Asiatic mainland, nothing being said about the German insular possessions in Australasia. However, it was ex- plained that in the event Of Ger many's refusal to meet the Japanese demands, and of Japanese success in war, the conditions imposed upon Germany might be extended so as to include the cession to Japan and to her ally, Great Britain, of all of these island groups gathered in by Ger many during the last 25 years.
 btl many recently NdS UeClueG to ln- dicate to the United States govern ment the community of interests that exists between the two in their Asiatic holdings. Last week this took the form of suggestion that the eastern waters and shores be neutral. ized by mutual consent.
 The Japanese belief is that the Ger. man government will take full adyan. tage of the weeks time allowed in the ultimatum for a reply. This is found upon scarcely concealed be lief that this reply will he a firm and unequivocal refusal to admit the Jap anese right to dictate to Germany her attitude in the war east. The inter vening time, it is believed, will be spent in hastening the defenses oI Ting Tsu, the single German maya station; in planting mines in the sea and in placing the German fleet 1T secure positions under the guns ol the short Qualifications.