Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-07
JAPAN MAY SEND SHIPS.
Asked TO Furnish Transports to Carr,
U. s. Troops TO Europe.

L
Washington. May 4 The British
government has asked Japan whether
1t is in position to furnish merchant
ships for the transportation Of Ameri-
can troops to France this year.
President Wilson has been greatly
Impressed by the arguments OF Cen
Joffre in favor of sending American
soldiers to France gradually this sum-
mer and completing their training be-
! hind the firing line. Mr.. Balfour and
other members of the British commits
sion have Endorsed the French appeal.
The British have dwelt on the argu-
ment that it would be less difficult to
find the shipping for the transportation
Of small units from time to time than
to attemptoS mobilize transportation
for 100000 men all at once next year.
Willing to Send Troops.
Mr.. Wilson informed the British and
French commissioners that the United
States desired to send troops as fast %
they can be fitted for service and
transported without interrupting I'M
duly the flow of food and munitions to
the allies in the restricted number of
ships now available. He said that. If
the allies would indicate the amount of
shipping that could be released for
troop transport it would be possible to
estimate the number of soldiers that
could be sent this year
The allied officials admitted that
every available ton of shipping is need
ed to transport food and munitions.
They inquired whether 1t would be pos
sible for the United States to comman-
deer ships not in the transatlantic
trade.
They were informed that only the
fleet Of the United Fruit company. ply
ing between American and Latin
American ports. and some great lakes
steamers would be available and that
there are practical difficulties prevent
ing the employment Of these ships.
Ask Help Of Japan.
The allies then turned to Japan for
help. The inquiry addressed to Japan
concerning its ability to furnish trans
ports was sent with the knowledge and
approval of American officials.
Japan has been increasing its ocean
tonna ge tremendously since the begin
ming of the war. Scores of ships have
been turned out and new Transports
ton lines established. At the present
rate of maritime expansion it will not
he long before Japan will be the COM
mercial dictator of the Pacific.
That Japan has large number Of
which might be fur
nished for transport purposes is tho
opinion Of British officials. Whether
Japan. however. would be willing to
supply the merchantmen Is not known
here.
Japan May Send Troops.
Word has reached Washington from
Toxic that Japan contemplates sending
3Oo, 900 men to Russia this year to help
hold the eastern front. II this be true
it IL probable that Japan would require
q large part Of its merchant tonnage
for its own transport purposes.
The dispatch of japanese troops to
the eastern front would be regarded as
significant in all allied capitals. Hither-
to Japan has contented itself with
guarding interests in the far east and
sending war munitions to Russia In
such quantities as the restricted ca
pacity of the Siberian railroad permits.
It is believed 70 be not unlikely that
the entrance Of the United States into
the war has spurred japan to the de-
sire to participate more effectively.