The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1917-11-25
JAPAN ABL.EE; TO &. :
SEND 100000
QUESTION OF DIaPATcHiNG THE
TRAINED SOLDIERS TO BATTLE
FRONTS OF RUSSIA BEING Ae-
;ITATED.

Toxic, Oct. 10.-(By Mail,l-Be-
fore the allies can win the war with
Russia demoralized, must half mil
lion Japanese troops be rushed to the
eastern front to conquer the n
fcrces? That question, uppermost in
Japanese thought today, is apparent
ly gaining support in many of the al
lied capitals. Paris, according to dis
patches received here, sees the nee
essity OF such action.
But in TCkio, both popular belief
and the opinion heard in best inform
ed circles, failed to substantiate the
recent rumors that are hcstilities
cease the fighting men of Japan will
see service in Europe. Failure of ithe
report to gain credence here is not
based on any Misunderstanding of
the value of a Japanese expedition
might prove to the entente cause.
Opinions differ in foreign circles as
to the strength Of the Japanese arms
even the Japanese are not inform
ed by their government as to their
army's strength. 1t may be accurate
ly and conservatively stated, howev-
err, that mobilization orders would
place two million trained soldiers,
armed and equipped, ready for orders
from the high command.
In Japan's standing army today
there are at least 100000 trained men
members of twenty-one divisions The
war Strength Of a division is twenty
thousand, but CT these probably not
more than $4,000 could be classed as
electives, the balance being noncom-
batants used for transport and other
services. Two divisions are station
ed in Korea and another in Manch-
uria. From both of these points ac-
cess to Russia would not be difficult,
over the South Manchuria and Trans
Siberian railways, assuming the lat
ter is in at least workable condit-
ion. And from Tsuruga, On the west
coast of Japan, to VladivpstoX. 1t is
a matter of about fcrty-eight hours,
Bu& the fact that Japan has the men
munitions, supplies, transports-in
fact, the whole machinery Of war
does not decide the question Of wheth-
er she will actually engage. In the
field ",
Asked il his country will ever dis
patch an expedition to Europe, your
Japanese friend may reply that it is
impra cticable, that it is not needed,
that Japan has filled.,her part in the
conflict, or that the Japanese nation
would oppose such. "a yalo sWeeas being.
commensurate 10 the quid pro quo
to be gained, or that Japanese troops
are needed at home to preserve the
peace Of the far east" But lie is al
so likely to suggest, another factor, a
question that more readily, perhaps
appeals to the foreign. mind---"Do the
allies want us?"
France, yes, but how about England
America and Russia? Are England
and the United States prepared to
barter for a half million japanese
soldiers at the front and will the Rus
sian pride accept such program?
England and America, it is believed,
might hesitate over questions re-
garding Japan's position in eastern
Asia which would be involved with
more active Japanese participation.
AS for Russia's attitude, an idea is
gained from an article which the To-
kio Nichi Niehi published from it's
correspondent, a Japanese, in Petro-
grad
upo++or a Corr,oD hoo 90 Than old