New-York tribune., 1918-06-20
America Urged
ToSendBigArn1y
Russian Front
Continued from page /

there is no disposition to criticise the
President for his opposition to Jap
anese intervention in Siberia. There
was no evidence that the Japanese plan
contemplated an effective movement
against Germany, but rather action to
conserve her own interests in Siberia.
Second, the opinion has grown that
the United States must take a leading
part in the reconstruction of the East
ern front. And this is another reason
why no one criticises the Presidents
attitude toward the Japanese plan Of
intervention. 1t is now perceived that
the reconstruction of the Eastern front
must be international in character
And. since the United States is the
only one Of the Western belligerents
which has the resources ami the man
power to undertake the difficult task
of renewing the war upon Germany in
the East. the conclusion IS that the
United States must take the leading
role in what is to be done. This coun-
try's disinterestedness in Europe and
its we'll known sympathy with Russia
fit it as no other belligerent is fitted
effort to free that country from Ger
man influence and restore her territory
to her.
Japan Must Be an Ally
Japan's part in the enterprise must
be that of an ally and associate, a
thoroughly trusted ally. but not the
sole medium for the defeat of Ger
many's ambitions in the East.
1t will be seen at once that this view
of the task in the East is vastly bigger
and totally different from the view
taken by the Allies when they urged
approval of Japanese expedition.
probably small. into Siberia. The ad-
vocates of fighting Germany in the
suit of the delay which President Will
son lnterposed by his objections to the
immediate landing of troops in Siberia.
All the signs here point to the adop
ton by the Administration in the near
future of the view that the East front
should be reconstructed. Reports re-
ceived here in Washington indicate
country is forming in favor of action
that public opinion throughout the
country is forming in favor Of action
IN Russia: Congress is beginning to
reflect this public opinion in its de-
bates: And that is the familiar process
by which decisions are reached in this
government. First public and the
newspapers, then Congress, then the
White House. Or, first Congress. then
/ the public and the newspapers. then
the White House. The order some
times varies slightly, but that is the
cycle. And the first phases are already
here in this matter of reconstituting
the Eastern front, reconstituting it
: with American arms, in way that
and appeal to the Imagination of the
people.
Administration on Defensive
1t is plain to observe here that the
Administration feels that it is on the
questions are asked in the State De-
partment rs to why this is not donu
or that is not done members of the
State Department retort rather irri-
tably by asking how you would do i,
where you would get the ships, what
government you would deal with. The
psychological state revealed is sig
nificant. The questions imply that ac-
tion should be taken, but raise the
plea of ait can't be done" How long
can government stand before the
American people with the plea "it
cant be done?"
This issue is precisely like the issue
! that existed a little over q year ago.
AT that time the army was saying it
could not send men to France for a
year. The French were urging that the
sending of men should begin at once.
Where were the ships? Where, if men
were sent at once, were men to be
found to train the new recruits and the
drafted men? The Administration
stood out on its "it can't be done" for
short time and then the first division
was ordered to France, and TODAY in
stead Of just having begun, as was
proposed last year. nearly one million
are IN France or on the way there.
Difficulties Are Great
The difficulties Of reconstituting the
Eastern front with American and
Japanese soldiers are great, but rela-
lively they are not as great as those
overcome in sending / 1000 900 men to
France. We are now in the war and
organized for war. We have expert
ence where we had none a wear AGO
We can revise and enlarge our Mans
once again as we have so often had to
DO SINCE entering the war. We can On
forward from the idea Of aiding Enc.