Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-12
SIBERIA AND THE WORLD WAR-By Frederic ]. Haskin

xV TAsHINGToN, D. c.. July S.-An American
M military expedition into Siberia, in CO.
w operation with Japan and probably with
England ana France, for the purpose of safeguard
Ing that great territory and counteracting German
aggression III Russia, is a probability of the near
future, in the opinion OF many students OF the
world situation
kcre4s1ys sudden reappearance with a demand
for allied Reconstruction OF Russia, and the grow
ing demand both il Japan and in Europe Tor some
decisive action in Siberia, make this increasingly
apparent. The only thing which has prevented
Japanese Intervention in Siberia taus far is the
refusal OF the United Gtatss 10 ccuntenance such
move. But both the demand and the heed for some
action by way of the Far East have become
strong that America will probably have to let
Japan act alone, or else act il cooperation With
her.
For number OF reasons, cooperative action o.,
the part OF these two nations and probably also the
entente allies, to offer the best solution OF
problem.
To make it clear how Siberia has become FAC
tor Of the first importance IA the "orld var, Che
steps leading TO that state OF aTaTa must be coH-
sdered cnronoo3 icany. Some months ago su8-
gestion appeared in newspapers all over the world
that Japan ought TO intervene III SIBERIA 10 saIe-
guard the supplies which lad been landed a.
VlaGiyostoE for the of the Russians and which
had lain there ever since because OF the lack OF ade
Quate railway facilities to move them TO the east
ern front 1t also pointed ont that several
hundred thousand German and Austrian prisoners
confined in Siberia, and that, GiEce the col
lapse OF Russia these might obtain their freedom
and become 4 formidable German force in the east.
Che OF the first developments following this SUI
gestion was refusal by the United states TO coua-
fepance such a move the part CT japan a Ut
tIo Iatn If became known that both the French and
English governments favored japanese Intervention
in Siberia The Japanese attitude was then SAID TO
he that Japan stood ready to intervene III 0oeII1'
b,,r would not do SO unless the United states
wished it. Japan's readiness for the move was
confirmed by the fact, not generally Known Ihat
she had three army corps mObilized for the pur-
pose The size Of the force is not without It's SIG
ni6cance Three army corps are about tOrty-hVe
thousand troorG such a force could occupy and
police the country, but would certainly not be 5ufh-
Gent for any aggressive action against Germany.
That il the way the situation remains today SO
far as the attitude of the powers are concerned
Japan ready and willing TO go IN at word france
and Fn~aInd willing to Let her. and the United
States steadfastly refusing consent. The motives
back OF these various attitudes have never been
adequately analyzed fer publication. and to the
general public, the great significance OF the siberian
situation remains unknown.
Several good reasons may be assigned for the
unwilingnesS of our government to let Japan enter
Siberia. In the first place. the alleged military
necessity for such move in order to safeguard the
supplies and prisoners in Siberia, is said by
authorities not TO exist The supplies are separated
from Germany by six thousand miles OF badly dis
ordered railroad and hardly worth what inter
vention would cost. The prisoners without
arms or supplies. and could not possibly organize
themselves into an effective fighting force. These
alleged reasons for intervention considered in
su ffcient and have now practically been forgotten
The most important reason why the United
states cannot permit Japan to enter Siberia alone
is the aversion Of the Russian people and of the
Chinese people to such move The United States
is in this war for the announced purpose of sup
porting democracy and self-determlnatlon OF Deo-
ples Russia and China are the two greatest de-
mocracios in the world. and are both now in the
most critical stages of their evolution such Both
of these nations regard Japan as an autocracy or
exactly the same stamp as Germany. Indeed. they
consider that her form of government and her ma
tional ambitions modelled after those Of the
Prussians. Hence they do not care to trust Japan
in Siberia They believe that Japan wants piece
of Siberia for herself. This belief thew support by
the facts that Japan has long been seeking an out
let for her overcrowded population and that Sibe-
ra one of the last great undevelcped wilds, would
afford an ideal one. They also assert that japan
has never yet relinquished any territory seized
under the preteXt of military necessity.
TO the Russians, then, Japanese intervention in
Siberia would mean the gaining of a permanent
foOthold in that country hy Japan, which they re-
gard as the autCcracy OF the east. Meantime Ger
imany, the autocracy Of the west, is penetrating
Russia from the other side The Russians believe
that these two governments not Fundamentally
hostile In their view of the case, Japanese
sion in Siberia would mean the crushing Of Rus
STA and the division of her lands between these tV@
powers. Germany and Japan would then dominate
one-haIf of humanity and nearly half of the worlds
resources Autocracy, as the Russians see it, would
indeed be victorious.
This, of course, is merely the attitude of demo
cratic and sOciastic Russia, but it is attitude
which we are bound TO take into consideration,
since we have announced that the welfare of Rus
STA is Of our objects in this The Chinese
attitude is which also inevitably influences
own. And the Chinese are also profoundly distrust-
full of Japanese intentions in Siberia. The memory
the twentyone demands is still fresh in Chinese
minds; and japan has only recently concluded a
new secret agreement with China, which is said
to be regarded with profound suspicion in the lat
country. Should Japan gain a foothold in Sibe-
ria, she would be in position to apply pressure to
Chinese from another side. Hence China can see
nothing but menace in Japanese aggression in Sibe-
ria. And the United States is pledged friend of
Chinese freedom.
Incidentally, if the suspicious with which these
nations regard the Japanese offer of intervention l.