The daily Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1916-1917, 1917-05-23
JAPAN'S PART IN WAR
HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE
Island Empire Contributes
Her Full Share to Cause
of Allies.
ON GUARD IN EAST
Money and Supplies Have
Been Furnished in Great
Quantities.
ON GUARD IN EAST

after the war began, the part Japan
has played in the great conflict has
not attracted so much attention as
the land and sea engagements of 9TH
er allies, yet to those who have fol-
lowed events in the Far East, it is
evident that Japan has done her full
share in fastening the time of final
victory. 4 writer in the New York
Evening Post recently gave an inter-
esting survey of the war operations
of the Empire and what she has ac-
complished for the countries with
which the United States has cast her
lot. This writer says:
During the early stages of the war
Japan's part was to assist in patrol
ling and guarding the water of East
Asia, the South Seas and the coast
of South America; and though it did
not succeed in meeting any of the enc
my ships, its navy had much to do
with driving the enemy into position
where it was effectively dealt with by
the British squadron.
Convoy for Anzac Troops.
"Japan's assistance in conveying
the Anzac troops to Europe was Of
immense importance in the scheme of
transportation at a time when the
Emden was still at large. And then,
after the capture of Tsingtau, in con-
junction with the British troops, in
which the nayies of Japan and Great
Britain co-operated, and after the
capture of the German South Sea pos
sessions and the clearing of enemy
ships from the Pacific, the Japanese
navy settled down to patrolling the
waters east of Hongkong.
1T was no slight responsibility to
keep watch on the various enemy
ships interned in Chinese, Philippine
and Dutch East Indian ports; and re-
Gently the japanese have been in pur-
suit of an enemy raider operating in
waters near Singapore. Thus effect
lively to have secured the safety of
neutral and allied shipping on the Pa
cific, is in itself no small matter to
world commerce.
But Japan has done and is doing
good deal more than this. Its steady
supply of munitions to Russia, es-
pecially in the day OF emergency. as
well as its dispatch of provisions to
Russia and France and England. has
undoubtedly done much toward keep
ing up the efficiency of the allied Of
fensive.
Supplies For the Allies.
"It is estimated that Japan's total
supplies to Russia alone have reached
as much as 400 million yen in value,
consisting chiefly of guns, with officers
to man them, ammunition, army ac-
couterments of all kinds, such as cloth
for uniforms, saddles, kits, as well as
extensive hospital and Red Cross
supplies. The immense orders for
Russia are not yet all completed, and
the arsenals and mills of Japan are
still busy turning out shipments for
that country. Some $4,000 men are
working day and night in the govern
ment arsenals of Toxic and Osaka,
while minor naval and military sta
tions, as well as private factories, are
regular quota to the out
put.
ITO England and France, Japan has
been shipping provisions for the
troops, such as flour, beans, peas, and
timed goods. This year, owing to
war pressure, Japan's copper output
leaped from $4,000 tons to 10S,O0O tons,
some 60 per cent of which went to
Russia, 20 per cent to England, and |
the rest to France. with the excep-
ton of what was used at home.
"At the same time, Japan has been |
doing something to suppress enemy |
trade. though so many Japanese mer-
chants were mixed up with German
business that it was very difficult to
bring about the desirable result with
expedition without permanently injur-
ing if not running a considerable num-
Der of firms. No doubt, China's break
with Germany will facilitate Japan's
efforts in this direction, as German
merchants in China did all in their
power to keep up trade with their jap
lnese connections. Americas atti-
ude to Germany will further tend to
German trade with Japan, as
10 doubt German agents in that coun-
ry cultivated commercial as well as
POLITICAL relations with connections in
his country.
Its Financial Aid.
Financially. also. Japan has been
ioing its bit in promoting the welfare
'f the Allies. This policy it had been
in various ways, but espec-
ally In purchasing bonds for cancel