Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-03
JAPAN AND FAR EAST.

Russian, the
Japan Desires aetivities %. OF
to Enter Siberia. present war
soon may be extended. The Japanese.
it is known, have preached the various
allied governments and the United
States in respect to intervening in
Siberia, ostensibly in order that the
may be protected from any possible
Germanic aggression in this region.
These stores, of immense proportions,
were shipped to Russia before the
bolsheviki came into power, and that
they have not already been seized by,
interests inimical to the allies is pos
sibly due to the fact that there have
been more important operations IN
Of the extension of Germanic agrees
sion to the far east momentarily was
lost sight of. Now that the Germans
have everything their own way and
may be expected to do about as they
please in Russia, the far eastern stu
alton has assumed greater importance
from an International standpoint.
So great is the possibility Of Ger
manic attempt to extend the sphere
of Teutonic influence that Japan
deems it necessary to take sharp and
quick action.
The kaiser always has longed to
firmly establish Germanic influences
over the far east, If not in fact OBJ
tain great sections Of the rich Erain
and mineral producing regions. Long
before the present war started his COM
mercial agents and secret government
emissaries began building a system
of intrigue whereby Germany was
she desired either through fair means
or foul, but circumstances postponed
the opportune moment. Germany was
ousted from Kiaochau. her only chief
This she never will get again. It would
be entirely inimical to japanese inter-
ests in the far east should The kaiser
receive it.
the far east evidently were held in
allowance after the fall Of Kiaochau,
but the collapse Of Russia makes it
easier to reach out again. Should the
German prisoners. interned in Siberia
by the Russians, be fully armed and
way to the east the seizure of the
Transsiberian railway and the vast
supplies stored along it by the al
lies would be a minor matter. Ger
many could claim vast sections of the
richest regions in this section Of the
world. Were Germany to win the war
she would have accomplished more in
this section than long years of diplom-
complish. Notwithstanding the utmost
confidence that prevails in entente
quarters as to the eventual outcome
OF the war, no chances can be taken.
Germany must not be permitted.
through the instrumentality of her
armies, to spread German propaganda
in the far east. The effects through
the years would be decidedly EN-
barrassing to the powers now inter-
ested in the protection Of this section
nd ScvHt Hrf,,
far-reaching difficulties in the adjust
ment of conditions there, conditions
which never have been entirely salts
factory to Japan, the most interested
paI eys .ne United dos States and Others
door OF the far east just as she is
knocking at the back door of India
through the Turks in the Caucasus.
Is to efiectually and forever close
this door to the Teuton that Japan
is taking her present stand
The request of Japan for interna-
tional Intervention in Siberia cannot be
minimized in the
Japan's Request Is least. 1t is a vital
a Vital Matter. T. - ,
conclusion that none of the European
allies will render material assistance
in any venture in the far east, but the
United States, which stands spoAsor for
square deal there. and which is more
or less directly interested in current
problems, possibly will join the pro-
posed Japanese movement and dispatch
troops to this region from the Philip
pines. The American Pacific feet also
ma ha al 80
in the adjustment of affairs should an
agreement be reached between the
United States and Japan as to future
steps.
Not only would joint action by the
United States and Japan prevent com.
plications which might arise because of
the single-handed action by any power.
but 1t possibly would seal the bonds Of
friendship existing between the two ma
tons and forever preclude the success
Of the jingoists of the two nations who
for many years have so diligently
sought to stir up strife between the
two. Internationally the forces the
eastern Russian territories would be
infinitely greater than those Of the
United States.
Paris and London are taking the
liveliest interest in Japan's possible
moves. and the belief is expressed there
that Japan is right in making her re-
quest for Intervention. Everywhere it
is being declared that Japan is on the
eve Of greater things in the present
struggle. and her action in Siberia may
be but the forerunner.
Just what may be done in the far
east remains matter of conjecture at
the present moment. but it appears
more than likely that an agreement
will be reached in the Immediate future,
because speed is necessary. Neither
a YAoY1 mn he ~ hN1 han NJ
military wheels must be set moving If
steps to combat German intentions are
completely successful.