Evening star., 1917-11-07
JAPAN AGREEMENT
GIVES ALLIES HOPE
DIPLOMATS Here Believe Even
Greater Help From That
Country Is Intended.
MAY PATROL U-BOAT ZONE

here today.
One of her first steps. already under
taken, it was reported. though not Off
cially confirmed, will be the sending Of
large numbers of submarine destroyers
into the Mediterranean. in addition to
those already doing effective work
there.
Well informed persons here say that
Japan's part in the war has been more
considerable already than has gener-
ally been realized in this country. To
discount her efforts. including the mag
nitude Of her aid given Russia in the
early stages of the war. has been the
aim Of pro-German propagandists.
The agreement announced yesterday.
it was stated. will have marked
effect upon the Japanese people. where
1t will come as even bigger news than
to the American public. 1t was re-
called that Viscount Ishii. in every
public address he made in this country,
laid emphasis on the fact that Ger
man agents had sought to breed sus-
picion of the United States in Japan.
create American distrust of Japan in
this country.
Step Toward Solidarity.
In the midst of important military
operations another step is being taken
toward the greater solidarity of the
allied cause. This step is marked by
the visit of Premier Venizelos to Rome
and his intention later to visit other
allied capitals in Europe. 1t was learn
ed today that both Greece and Italy
feel that the conferences of Premier
Venizelos in Italy are Of marked sig
nfficance in cementing the war pur-
poses of those two nations.
There have been times, even within
the present year, when the relations
of these two countries were slightly
ing, for example. when the Italians.
at the behest of the allied military
command, found it necessary to oc-
cupy Janina. 1t was announced at
Rome that such occupation was not
for ultimate conquest. but for purely
turned the city over to the Greek COM
mander. as they had promised.
No direct word about the activities
of Venizelos in Rome has been re-
derstood that he is visiting allied capf-
tails to confer about supplies for the
Greek army. which is in process Of
mo bilfzation.
some 100000 or 100000 to the 250.060
men now under arms as soon as pro-
vision Tor equfpping and maintaining
them can be made.
:. Effort Becomes Important.
This effort becomes particularly inn
portant in view Of the position Of the
allied army of some 400, 900 or 100000
men at Saloniki now that the Austro-
German forces have indicated their
ability to push back the Italian forces.
There has been speculation about the
of concerted attack on the
army in Greece after the Italians have
reached a line which they can hold.
Little fear was expressed by allied
subject for the safety Of the allied
forces in Macedonia. Gen. Sarrai1 has
had two years or more in which to
complete his preparations for defense.
and it is stated that he has made good
use of the time. So that even II his
Of the combined forces of Germans.
Austrians. Bulgarians and Turks. his
position Is regarded as tenable.
AS evidence that no immediate danger
is threatened to Gen. Sarrail's forces, it
was pointed out that fifty-three new
troops have been transferred
to the Italian fighting front since the
offensive there began. Though this
number Of divisions is not conceded to
be mobilized in Italy by all reports. the
italian reports hold that such is the
case
Supplies Trouble Army.
The principal difficulty of the Mace
DOMAIN army has been that Of supplies,
but the route by way of Genoa, Erindisi.
Valona and Macedonia, along which
supplies are now being transported.
ian army lines up for its permanent re-
sistance to AuStro- German invasion