The Washington times., 1917-06-05
ORIENT DISTURBED
/ BY RUSSIAN PERIL
Japan Fears Collapse Of Her
Effort Of Years.
INFLUENCE OF U. S. IS GREAT
Tokyo, Seeking a Friend, Is Now
Looking to This Country.
INFLUENCE OF U. S. IS GREAT
By HARRY $. BROWN.

The new and startling phase OF INT
war caused by the collapse OF Russia
and affecting everything in the Far
East and the Pacific has only begun
to reach appreciation in the eyes OF
Americans. The discussion has been
confined to the probable effect OF
separate peace between Germany ana
Russia as It would bear upon the for
tunes of the allies Of the entente
upon the various fronts from Riga to
the Black Sea. from Salonika to the
Adrfatic. along the Italian line OF
activity, and finally from Switzerland
to the North Sea Comparatively speak
ing this was near home ana atten-
ton was engrossed with the possi-
bilities affecting the safety Of Paris
Rome, and London, while sight was
lost Of the broader sweep which took
in Tokyo. Peking. Harbin' Bagdsd'
Calcutta, and Manila.
japan is alive to the possibilities
of the situation. and is leaving no
stone unturned in order that 1t may
be understood in this country, and
the occasion presents opportunities
for the broadest statesmanship the
United States has ever been called
upon to put into play.
Eject of Separate Peace.
In a nutshell, the downfall OF the
government Of Russia and the en-
suing irresponsible administration Of
affairs, tottering every hour Of the
day between communism and anarchy,
has ended all things in the Far East
so far as treaties, agreements. and
Tha LING
of a separate peace between Russia
and the Central Powers would reverse
everything accomplished by the war
In the Orient.
Japan, an ally Of the entente, has
been standing with Russia and doing
great service in supplying that coun-
try with munitions and transporta-
tion. Since the peace OF Portsmouth
Japan and Russia have had a complete
understanding regarding affairs in
Manchuria, Mongolia, and, indeed.
throughout the Far East. The treaty
of Portsmouth has been followed by
other treaties and agreements until
one was finally made by which each
nation bound itself to recognize the
claims OF the other. Russia was not
to become q party to any arrangement
or political combination against ia
pan. Japan was not to become a party
to any arrangement against Russia
In case special interests or teTritor-
ial rights OF either Of the parties were
threatened both were to act in con-
cert on the measures to be taken in
view OF the support or cooperation
necessary for the protection and de-
fense Of those rights and interests.
The japanese Explanation.
The making OF this agreement
aroused considerable criticism of ia
pan on the part of many In this coun-
try who see in every step taken by
the Japanese some Interior motive.
The Japanese say the agreement was
for the purpose OF insuring the integ-
rtty OF China against German aggres-
sion Be this as It may, there was
great activity on the part Of the anti
Japanese party in international af.
fairs at Pekin and the declaration OF
war by China against Germany was
fostered in order to bring China under
the protecting 8gis Of the entire en-
tente influence as against the infiu-
ence Of Russia and Japan.
There is little doubt that Japan
was seeking to set up q sort of Mon
roe doctrine In the Far East. very
similar to that which the United
States maintains in the West. al
though very strong protests have
been made IN Tokyo that much Of the
denunciation OF Japan INDUCED IN by
American newspapers was undeserv-
ed. Japan under our own trying dip
lomatic apathy has In many ways
shown her friendship for the United
States, and after the last fiasco Of
MI. Bryan In the California affair
quietly put the whole subject In q
piEeonhole and decided to await bet
ter days. Then she threw herself
heart and soul into the work Of ex-
pelling the Germans from China
Big Change in Thought
But with the downfall Of authority
IN Russia the house Of cards which
had been based upon Russian and
japanese cooperation came tumblinF
down Russia, q great, shambllnE
animal marching cumbrouAly and
avkwaroly always toward a definite
object, became an unorEAniEed mGsG,
hating all thought OF war and pos
Bessed OF the sole idea Of selling
the lands and property Of the royal
family and the privileged classes.
Quick realization came to the Jap
GneBs statesmen a. soon a. the evi-
dence OF the inability OF the new gov
eminent to force obedience OF the
army was forthcoming that RuIaia
could not possibly be counted upon TO
maintain her pledges regarding China
any more than she could he counted