The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-12
JAPAN PLEDGES U. s. TO GIVE ALL
 HELP TO RUSSIA
U. S. to Raise Embargo on Steel Japanese Need to
 Build Vessels.

formed Secretary Lansing that every available element in Japans econo- mic system will be concentrated upon the production of equipment for Rus .sia.
 This represents the result of the visit of the imperial Japanese mis- sion to this country. It has been ac- cepted as a basis for the solution or one of the most difficult problems the United States has been confronted with since entering the war.
 Furthermore, the Administration looks upon the promise made by Wis count Ishii as containing potent1ah- ties of the greatest importance as af- fecting the future. relations or the
 United States and Japan.
 Up to the present there has been
 mystery concerning the purposes or
 the Japanese mission in this country.
 Nothing has been forthcoming con corning the two conferences between Secretary Lansing and V1scount Ishii-at least nothing except what had been discounted even before the mission reached. the United States. It Is possible now to present in gen eral terms the progress which has been made When Viscount Ishii
 called at the State Department last | week to hold his first conference with Mir Lansing neither Government knew precisely what the other had to offer or to ask except that the United States needed shipping and Japan needed steel to help complete ships now on the ways.
 Viscount Ishii<took the initiative and frankly told MT. Lansing he had been sent to this country with 1n- l structions to inform the United States 1 that Japan was prepared to- render 1 any assistance possible in the prose cution of the war, and that Japan be- l 1ieved the United States could help l the Mikado's Government in certain particulars.
 1 It is understood also that MT. Lan-
 sing was informed that the Japanese
 Mission had been astounded at the tremendous foundation which the United States was laying for the equipment of the war machine. The entire situation was reviewed I in an hour and a half conference
 viscount Ishii informed Secretary
 Lansing of some of the details of the part aJpan is playing in the war
 which have not hitherto been known
 in this country
 He explained the progress which Japan's destroyers have made in rid ding the Mediterranean of German | and Austrian submarines, and how
 Japan had protected commerce in
 Eastern waters from raiders while paigns which were attempted in other paigns which weer attempted in other
 waters. He explained the size of Ja-
 pans ship building program, and ad- vised Secretary Lansing just what the
 builders need from this country whict the present embargo made 1t impossi- ble to ship across the Pacific.
 \ The precise nature of the offers con. lcerning the lifting of the embargo made by Secretary Lansing cannot bt given, but it is known that Viscoun1 Ishii appeared to be satisfied the United States was willing to acceler ate shipments needed by Japan's mer ! chant ship builders.
 In reviewing the situation MT. Ian , sing reminded the head of the mis : sion that the UnitedfStates was in tht war until it ended with victory, ane lthat the only weak spot on the line
 lat present was Russia. .He assured IViscount Ishii that the United State
 needed virtually no assistance iron . anywhere, but that it would feel as i
 a great burden had been lifted if i
 | . of the war to. bolster up the Russian war machine. The United States vii not need Japanese ships on the At lantic for its military program abroad He suggested that if Japan coul, , take a large part of this burden iron l the United States it would be render ing the greatest service possible to tn : Allies and to humanity. Viscount Ishi :. readily agreed that renewed effort i Russia's behalf would be of incalcula t ble value to the United States. H 3 announced that he would inform hi g government of the desires of tn I United States on this phase, of the sit T uation.
 Yesterday afternoon he returned t t the State Department and in a 30 , minute conference with M. Lansin n assured him that Japan would follo1
 the suggestion of this government n the utmost degree. Between the tw conferences Viscount Ishii was n communication with his Foreign O1 g fee at Tokio. Details of the cooper d alton will be worked out as rapidly g d possible. e One of the important development d expected is a diversion of the bulk ( Q Japan's shipping for strictly Russia
 ! PoA PoSSS. Xld dSiA o1 lAAAS tOuldSS ilc e been engaged of late in highly profita e b1e trade routes given up by the Bri
 1sh. Hereafter it will be conceI l. trated, upon a program of assistin d in the production and transportatio n of supplies of Russia. In addition 1 IL her normal tonnage Japan has cha n tered a number of ships and has bui l. a merchant marine of great propol 1T tions since the beginning of the wa al It is highly probable the Unite d States will now fnance most of Ru "a sia's equipment directly throue le Japan instead of through London : le heretofore.
 v Fears have been entertained at u
 War and Navy Departments tn
 Russian demands upon this count
 would interfere seriously with u
 American military programme I- withdrawing from the troop sh u routes vessels vitally needed for u transportation of great armies France.
 - It. is difficult to emphasize t.
 strongly the feeling of amity whit ,s Lansing and Viscount Ishii as a r If suit of their conferences here. 1T is State Department feels that Japar attitude in making uncondition
 promises to throw all her strength i- Russia will result in quieting for