The Washington herald., 1918-03-07


1t is admitted as possible. though
improbable, that Japan will with
hold action due to what President
Wilson has instructed our Ambas-
sador at Toxic TO say. Such a course
is not believed probable for two
reasons.
First, political opposition in
Japan to the present japanese gov
eminent is not strong enough to
change its determination to inter
vene in Siberia.
Second. that determination is
backed by England, France and,
presumably. Italy.
Barring an unforeseen emergency
at NladivOstok, Japan is expecting
to reply to our representations be-
fore she acts.
Strong Terms Used.
The United States has made her
representations in strong but polite
terms. They differ radically from the
viewpoint Of her allies. both EurOpeaa
and Oriental. But, il is insisted they
are made m the most friendly way
The United States believes that the
war against Germany will best he
won by one course Of action. Tn.
predominant opinion OF her allies is
that IL will best be won by another
But the common war against Ger
msHy is a bond which makes no
serious differences among these ma
( tions possible. President Wilson was
| described last night by those who BE-
lieve in his policy Of hands-ofI Rus
J sia- as the leader Of the new
: Diplomacy against the old. That lead
/ effsiV may be called into question
( even by the allies. when IL comes TO
settling the terms OF peace at the
| conference table. II will not be call
, ed into question during the course OF
! tn" war because II will not be put 10
a. test. either by Mr. Wilson him
| self CT by the nations associated with
the United states in the war
Pursues Informal Method.
1t is for this reason that the ad-
, ministration has pursued the pure
. lN informal and friendly methodN OF
/ handling the situation Stron=
: though its opinion is against both
/ the morality and the eNpediency Of
! Intervention it has carried on the
negotiations in the character 81
I conversations rather in tho char
! aCter Of the formal exchange OF
. notes"
Hence the views Of the United
! States have been cabIed TO Amhss-
| sador Morris. at Toxic. for verbal
I presentation to the japanese pre-
! mler. In this sense metiCulous din
! lomats say that no note" was sent.
| 1t is expressly admitted. however.
/ that the views Of the United Stalr-
were last night before the Tokru
! government substantially 81 outIin-
ed in previous dispatches.
The ground has been expressly
left open for Japan TO reply.
There is substantial aEreemrn;
| among Nhe allies as to the nCccSstt.
| OF beating Germany on the Es:l
as well as on the West In this
sense the determination to help Ru--
sia evinced by the Siberian attitude
of the United States is cordially
welcomed in entente quarters. II
is considered TO eVinCe fresh deter
mination on the part Of the newest
! combatant TO fight to the bitter
| est end. There is an unofficial feel
1 ing in some of the entente coun-
| tries that Russia has made her bed
and that no allied blood should be
| shed to save her from lying in IL.
This feeling. however. is Indignant
ly repudiated, allied sPokesmcn
here.
TO end this war with Germany
| eastern conqueSts IN her hands said
a French diplomat today. is to begei
a whole series OF wars twenty years
J hence. They would be the PlIuic
wars OF western civilization. Now
is the time for some Cato 10 sav
! Prussia must be destroyed And now
is the time for US to destroy PIus-
sia- 1t should not be necessary for
our Cato to cry for twenty years
and more"
1t is a raIiying cry for the entente
10 realize the importance OF the east
ern front that Americas stand is wei
coined. The man quoted above be
! lieves that Japan should intervene
but he is glad that the United States
has spoken for Russia. though h.
fears Russia herself is hopeles.
Problem Japan Faces.
In view OF the comprehensiveness
Of Americas views on the impossi-
bility Of the Vladivostok supplies be-
ing menaced and on the information.
al immortality Of setting armed forces
on Russian soil without Russian ap-
proval. It is recognized that Japan
may have some difficulty in Justify
ing her proposed action. In all quar-
tiers, however. il is insisted that the
japanese question is not the i'm
portant one
There is more than a suspicion In
Washington that England as well as
France will welcome an objective test
of Japan's promises. The scope of
Japan's proposed action is now be-
lieved to be the subject OF confer
ences between herself and England
and France. Neither of the latter
countries have defined the extent 20
! which they believe japanese action
should 20. Their interest is express
ly defined as merely the protection Of
the allied property at Vlsdivostok
Some Of their military experts here
believe that to render adequate pro-
lection il will be necessary for Jspar
to put forward a military force a.
far as Lake BsikaL others insist that
an action as extensive as this woIlo
J augur III for the performance oi
"a