The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-09-05
POLITICAL CRISIS
PREC|P|TATED IN
JAPAN BY NEW MOVE
SUGGESTION FOR JOINT MIL
ITARY EXPEDITION STIRS
UP THE PEOPLE.

Toxic, July 26-(Correspondence
pf The Associated Press)-The
United States suggestion TO Japan
Tor joint military expedition to
Vladivostik to help the Czecho-
Slovaks precipated an internal politi-
cal crisis in Japan. The question OF
intervention in Siberia had been an
issue here so long that it had be-
come a delicate question for the
Japanese. and one, also, on which
the country was more or less divided.
For many months, the Entente
nations had been urging Japan to
Vntervene or to join them in urging
Ahe United States to adhere to plan
of intervention. On the other hand,
leading Japanese statesmen counsel
led steadiast policy of cooperation
with the United States on all matters
pertaining to Russia. In military
sense, Japan got ready. and needed
but word from her allies. including
the United States, to send an army
into Siberia.
Then suddenly the United States
announced her intention OF des-
patching troops to Vladivostok, not
IN the sense OF intervention, but to
telp the Czecho- Slovaks, and stimuli
taineously suggested that Japan send
number OF troops.
America Surprises Japan.
Many people in Japan felt that,
II military action came in Siberia,
Japan would receive the mandate OF
the powers to act for them, and that
japanese troops would chiefly make
up the expedition; other nations
merely sending contingents TO give
the movement an inter-alled tone.
The American native, therefore, took
Japan by surprise.
As a representative put in; "The
idea OF Japan being placed on a par
with an occidental power in an ex-
petition intended for a spot lying.
as it were, at our very door, was GER
tanly not pleasant to the Japanese
who believed that of all powers OF
the world, Japan is most evitally
interested in the fate OF Eastern
Siberia"
Such was the first impression
created by the American note, but
4 fnther reflection is believed to have
convinced the japanese that the
United States iniative was in no
sense reflection on Japan. The
Joint expedition was therefore ac-
cepted in principal, but a great con-
n .roversey was raised over the ques-
ton whether Japan herself should
not intervene in Siberia for the pro-
pection OF her national interests.
The military party is believed to
have been distinctly in favor of in
tervention, this plan having the sup
port Of the general staff OF the army,
of Marshals Prince Yamagata and,
TO some extent OF the cabinet, which
is presided over by the Premier,
Marchal Count Terauchi.
Lengthy discussions ensued be-
tween ministers OF state, the mem
bers OF the recently appointed
Diplomatic Advisory Council and
also the leaders OF the political
parties who were called IN lot cOH-
sultation.
The rejection of general inter
vention at this time may be ascrlbed,
first, to the growing influence of the
business interests who favor COM
plcte cooperation with the United
States in Japan's own interest;
second, to the opposition OF the
political parties backing was nee
essary in obtaining necessary diet
appropriations, and, third, to the
decision OF leaders generally that
Japan should move slowly, and,
above all things, work hand in hand
with the United States.
Linked with these considerations
was the hestiancy OF the political
groups 10 support a military pro-
gram which would insure indefinite
life for the present cabinet: The
Terauchi ministry is officially
welded to no party, and the political
parties in Japan are striving for a