The sun., 1918-03-05
Special Dcspd'ck 10 THR ST

WAslIINGToN, March 4. - News Of
military action bv Japan in Siberia IL
awaited hourly here. No doubt remains
that Japan il about 10 move TO protect
is interests there. and the opinion here
is that Japaness occupation of Nlad.-
vostok is now practically certain.
Advices received here to-day indicated
that German controlled Bolsheviki ele-
mcnt@ in Siberia had begun operations
to prevent Japan and th- Entente Allies
from controlling the eastern end of the
Trans-Sibcrian Railroad. John +.
stevens, chairman OF the American
Railway Commission. reported 10 the
state Department that the Russians lad
begun destroying bridges Oh the Trans
Siberian between Lake Baikal and the
Manchurian frontier. IT is beliel ed
here that this action is aimed at pre-
/ venting any advance OF japanese troops
to carry out police duties.
All the bridges on the railroad have
been permanently mined for some time.
Russians here believe that the Bolshe-
. wiki may blow up many Of these strue-
,ure4. The Bolshsvflsi, they insist. VIII
pursue the same tactics toward tho
japanese as they have against the Ger
mans, and will refuse 20 recognize them
as friends.
Americans Reported safe.
Amba ssa dor Francis rotifed the state
Department to-day that ne had arrived
a. Nologda arI will remain there for
iNe present Other adv.C-s received
from Moscow and other Russian points
referred 10 the safety and Helfare or
individual Americans,
The effect OF The developments cn
President Wilson with respect TO the
Japanese proposals to send an expedition
into Siberia is not yet apparent. From
present indication Il would seem to BE-
doubtful that this Governmen: will take
any formal action. j. would much pre-
fer. II is believed. no: TO be party to
any agreement. Informal or otherwise.
with respect to Japanese action in Sibe-
ria All that is known is that in the In
formal exchanges that have gone on no
disapproval of the idea OF Japanese
troops landing TO protect the stores a
Vladvostok and to do other police dutN
IN Siberia has been expressed,
No Demand for Guarantees.
4 So far as tins Government, is concerned
Il i. unlikely shat the matter Will pro
ceed beyond this stage, Reports tha'
the United States had asked japan fnr
guarantees that occupation OF Siberia"
territory would not be permanent were
denied emphaticalic to-day. The United
States does not intend TO ask Japan for
any guarantees. fully believing that Al
/ tho proper time Japan herself will give
assurances along this line that will be
perfectly satisfactory as to her inten-
tons. In fact II Is stated that Japan
( has made ITS position clear. and FOR this
reason any action looking to the procur
ing of guarantees from her certainly
would he resented by the japanese peo-
pie.
Orlc.als and diplomats here Urofes?
ignorance Of what preparations have
been made by Japan Cor tho operations
about to be undertaken As n matte
~ course secrecy has been observed,
> and "A strict censorship in regard tn IL"
siberian question is N force at Toxic.
Possibly the next word to come out -
japan on the subject will he an an
nouncement of something accomplished
Previous Action cited.
In this connection IL is recalled that
at the beginning Of the Russo-Japaness
war the Japanese acted without herald
ing Before there was any such formaJity
as a declpration OF war Russian Zee
had been smashed and the war was
half on
1t has been stated IN on 'ai quarters
that it is no concern OF the Entente
Allies or of America low Japan zoe a
about the task once the question OF po'-
lev is settled. II the decision is reached
10 give Japan a free hand in Easte'm
siberia it Il now conceded that no Other
military or naval Power IL IN positio" to
render her any substantial aid owing J.
the lack OF available forces.
There is certain element in the Ser
ate that naturally is inclined to view
with distrust any move OF THIS kind b.
Japan Some OF these Senators, who a's
from the West credit Japan with i'm
per,a!is,ic motives. and also take tn"
ground that approval ty us either in
formally or otherwise would not be con
s!stcn, with the views We have expressed
TO the world Some of these Western
Senator's would like even TO have this
7 Goyeru,nent come out strongly in dis
aD.,roval Of any occupation ot Russian
territory by Japan, hut the ma jority %
Senators who nave talked informally on
this subject believe the japanese move
should u" given every encouragement
and that the quicker Japan acts the
better