The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-02
PROBLEM OF FAR
EAST PERPLEXES
Question Of laps Participation
in the War Difficult One
From Beginning.
(By David Lawrence,)

Copyright, 1913. by New York Eve
ming Post Company
Washington, March 2.--<!nforrnai OK
changes Of views between the United
States, Japan and the allies are pro.
oeeding concerning the situation
created for the FAR east by tho osvman
advance in Russia.
II constitutes, on the whole. one OF
the most delicate and at the same time
perplexing problems that have con-
fronted tho allies since the war began.
for II may concelvably alter the entire
relationship OF Europe to the far east
crn question and raise new issues In
Russia.
Lord Reading has called on Secrc-
try Lansing and. In n lengthy confer
ence. presumably outlined az much OF
the British view as could be expressed
at this time. and the secretary immc-
diately went TO tho White House and
talked with President Wilson,
II was stated that no decision had
been reached. What this really means
In that none OF tho powers feels sum
cienuy Informed to map out policy.
Must Tread Cautiously.
Recent events require cautious
uoading anyway. and with tho where
abouts even of the allied nmbn saadors
unknown. the regular channels on
which governments would depend for
advice are cut Off. Ever since the be-
ginning of the war the question of
Japanese participation has been "a DIR
fcult ono for all parties concerned to
handle. Japan could not very well
satisfy her public opinion without some
definite understanding OF what the sac-
rifices to be made would lead To for
Japanese interest.
The allies themselves wanted Jnpa-
ncse help. the French being pnrtlru-
larry anxious for II. but the price would
have been u dimlnutlon OF tonnage In
the transatlantic trade.
America. entry in th. war
solved the supply question and the
matter OF troops, too. The nsst
time the situation was discussed
automatically was on the publios-
ton OF q threat attributed TO Brit
ish sources that II kerensky made
. separate peace tho Jspaness
would make war or Russia through
Siberia. This was vehemsntly de-
Mod in London and the story wa.
blamed on German mischief
makers.
But the incident served 20 bring out |
clearly that one way 10 antagonize IN" |
Russians was 10 hold the club Of Iapa- |
nose Intervention over their hcnds. The !
same set of circumstances exists To |
some extent today.
Russia May Misundsrstsnd.
Tho fear In that the Russian people I
win iuiHundrrHthnd any Japanese or 4
American Intervention In siberia. and /
will characterize II aB selfish. particu-
lnriy II the oHtcnHiblo object In 10 pro-
tcct military supplies.
The question. then. resolves itself /
Into whether the loss by the allies OF I
Germany OF nlI the munitions eother ~ /
Vladivostok or en- route on the Trans
Hallway Ia more or less than |
the moral value Of good feeling be
tween the Russian people and the en-
tcute nations.
with the bolshevih nrhtlng Ger /
many one day and making peace the !
next. with no definite knowledge at
hand as to what the L"niff -Troitky
intends 10 DO. and whether
It will lRkt long enough 20 warrant the
allies In entering siberia. regardless ot
the present rovrrnmeut in PctrogrHi.
are all questions on which the allies
ought 10 be thoroughly Informed before
they make what may prove a momcu-
Gus decision Of the war. And y,t they |
are not Informed. and they whit un III
they know more about a.
Isa Military Problem.
Japan Is anxious 20 move quickly n
there IL any moving 20 b done. IL u
essentially military problem
Can the Germans reach NiadiVostok
FIRST and even build q aubmarine base
there for operations against American
japanese Shipping m the Pseihef
The possibility that Germany could
entrrnch herself on the Pacific coast
bf Siberia and maintain a long line Of