The Washington herald., 1917-11-30
japanese Troops May Re-
enforce Crumbling Rus
sian Strength.
SIBERIAN RAILROAD
PROBLEM INVOLVED
Bitter Fighting Progresses
in Petrograd as Allies
Spar for Advantage.


to the real Russia" as Ambassador
Bakhmetef calls the bulk of the
population. which he says will Bit
terly oppose a separate peace with
Germany
That question is being seriously
considered here. and officials said
yesterday that it would undoubtedly
be one Of the first and foremost sub
jects to be taken up at the Paris
conference.
JAPANESE CAN ASSIST.
A review of the situation indicates
that the only one of the allies now
in a position to afford any substan-
tial aid to the group which seems to
be rallying around Gen. Kaledines
and his Cossacks in Southern Russia
is the Japanese.
When Viscount Ishii was here on
his special mission 1t Is understood
that the contributions OF Japan In
men and munitions to the allied cause
were canvassed frankly and from
every angle. .....-.
Added Burden Seen. =
1t Nas decided that Japanese trsops
would be so far from their base IL
sent to the Western front that they
rEyn AnI,
on the already heavily laden ocean
transport supply of the United States.
Sending Japanese troops to Russia
at that time was freely discussed
but it is understood that the Rus
sian government then objected, con-
sidering its man power adequate.
The sending OF japanese troops across
Siberia would congest the railroad
more than their value at the front
warranted, 1t was contended.
It Is now seriously considered in
diplomatic circles here that a japanese
army corps or two might be rushed
across Siberia in the railroad equip
ment which the United States has
shipped in large quantities to Vandi-
vostock.
Dispatches received from Russia
yesterday indicate that bitter fighting,
is again in progress in the streets of
Petrograd. though neither at the Rus
sian Embassy nor at the state De-
partment were any details available.
The opinion at both places seemed
to be, however, that the new rioting
indicated the weakening power of the
Bolsheviki government. 1t was sur
missed here that the rioters were prob
ably hungry soldiers.
Bitter days for Petrograd are pre-
dicated by the Russians here. in view
Of the fact that Gen. Kaledines con-
trolls both the food and fuel supplies.
COssacks to Beat.
For the Bolsheviki government to
succeed. it was pointed out. it would
be necessary for it to muster an army
that could beat the Cossacks. To
meet such a possible attack the dis
patch Of Japanese troops is advocated,
An official Russian predicted that an
army of Japs crossing Siberia and
southeastern Russia would not only
be welcomed, but would draw into its
train thousands OF loyal soldiers and
peasants encouraged by this evidence
of the solidarity of the Allies against
Germany.
Ambassador Bakhemeteft refused
to discuss the report that the Bolsh-
eViki government had repudiated the
debt Of Russia 20 the United States.
In other quarters, however, it was
pointed out that, while the BolsheViki
were in control of the externals Of
government at Petrograd, the Rus
sian gold reserve and all OF her indus
trial and agricultural resources are
apparently in the hands OF the loyal
lists in the solth.
The conclusion Of an actual peace
with Germany is admitted
still to be the doubtful element of
CONFINED on PAGE FIFTEEN.