The Washington herald., 1918-03-14
JAPAN AWAITS
REPORTS
RUSS SOVIETS
Delays Action in Siberian
Crisis to Learn Attitude
Of People.
AMERICA GLANDS OFF"
Uncle Sam Is Also Await
ing Decision on the
Question.

Japan will intervene I'm Siberia as
soon as the result Of President Will
sons appeal to the Russian soviets
becomes apparent. Preferably Japan
will act with the approval of the So
viets. But she will act, IL the emer-
gency demands it. without reference to
Russian sentiment or lack of senti-
ment at the moment.
In her action she will be backed UP
by England. France and Italy. II no
Russian approval for the scheme is
forthcoming japan will issue a pledge
of her altruistic aims.
U. $. Remains AIoof.
The United States. having expressed
an advanced opinion. will remain
aloof.
This definite outline of a settlement
Of the Russo-Japanese problem became
current In diplomatic circles here yes
terday afternoon. American officials,
maintaining their policy Of hands on
towards the whole situation. refuse to
discuss 1t. In entente quarters. how
ever, the settlement was described as
meeting all the exigencies.' both diplo-
matte and military.
While Washington Is without definite
information of the message from Lon
don to Toxic. reported to have caused
an important melting OF the Japanese
foreign advisory council. men who
have been in touch with the situation
express the belief that the outline
sketched above was the subject OF the
message.
Neither in English, French nor Ital-
ian circles has there ever been any
disposition to question the actuality Of
Japan's good faith. But It has been
freely admitted that to the propagan-
da-infiuenced minds of some of the
Russians japanese action may look
very dangerous.
The attitude taken by President Will
son Is accepted as Just the action
requisite to allay any Russian sus-
picions against Japan.
American Position Perfect.
One entente diplomat declared yes
terday that the position of the Pres
| ident is a perfect one. Through his
words, both in the friendly repre-
sentations made to Japan and In hfs
| message TO the Russian Soviets he
has written a guaranty khat Rus
sian interests must not and will not
! be sacrificed. By the refusal Of the
! United States to participate in or
| approve of Japanese intervention
he will leave the United States free
| to enforce this guaranty in the final
settlement Of world affairs East and
| West
This guaranty. with a definite col
lateral behind it. is looked to assure
the Russians. 1t is also accepted by
the entente representatives here as
at least moral backing for action in
Siberia by japan, which they con-
slider vitality necessary to the mill
tary needs of the moment.
! A new phase of the Japanese
| problem was adverted to here yes
terday by a diplomat of the entente
This man asserts that there has
been some disposition in some OF
the European chancelleries to ques-
| ton the devotion of Japan to the al
| lied cause because of her hitherto in
ability to share in actual hostilities
He says that this opportunity for
Japan to show her devotion by the
| desirable use of her armed forces
will be welcomed in Europe as an
assurance of her adhesion to the
| allied faith
| Reports that Japan Is already ne
| gotiating with the Bolsheviki and
evidences of concert between Japan
and China. taken with the fact that
Japan has not yet acted, though
shutting off all news of her inten-
tions by a rigid censorship OF news
from Japan, are regarded as sub
stantiating the prospects Of action
| outlined above.