New-York tribune., 1918-01-30
Japan's Policy
On Russia to
Depend on Allies
Noted Law Expert Says No
Separate Move Will Be
Made by Toxic.
Hopes for Conquest
Points Out the Advantage to
China and II. S. in Sibe-
rian Helplessncss

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-Thc pres
ont situation on the Russo German
front, where negotiations for peace arc
in progress, is discussed in tho cur
rent number of the "Nichon- Oyobi
Nihonjin" by DR.. Ninagawa Shin. a
recognized authority on international
law and professor Of law and dplo
matte history at the Deshisha Uni
versity, Kyoto. During the Russo
Japanese War he was appointed ad
wiser on international law by tho
Japanese government and Subsequent
ly was dispatched to Port Arthur to
settle affairs in which the interests Of
foreigners were concerned.
In his article the Japanese authority
discusses the attitude which should be
adopted by the Allies toward Russia
in the event Of the latter concluding
separate peace with the enemy, say
ing:
"What will be the result Of Russia's
conclusion of separate peace with
the enemy. viii that country so
over to the enemys side, or simply
stand out of the belligcrent groups as
a neutral country? Some Japanese
papers take the view that Russia S
separate peace amounts to an alliance
with Germany in arms, but in my opin-
ion this is rather a.rash conclusion.
Alternatives for Allies
81 am inclined to believe that a
separate peace by Russia does not
mean anything more than changing
her military uniform for civilian
clothes.
"Granting that Russia actually CON
cludes separate peace with the
enemy, what attitude would the Allies
adopt toward Russia? They would
have to choose between alternatives
namely, either to leave Russia alone
or to attack her.
"lf the Allies were to allow Russia
to act as she pleases Germany would
be enabled to remove the greater part
Of her divisions now on the Eastern
front to the Western or Baltic front.
More Austrian troops would be sent
to the Italian and Western fronts,
would be shifted to Asia Minor and
the Balkans. This would, Of course.
intensity the enemy's pressure on the
Allied troops on the Western front
and in other theatres of war.
What. then, would be the most adj
visable attitude for Japan to take I'D
in such an extremity? In view OF her
International obligations it would be
impossible for Japan to act indepen-
IDENTIFY of the other Allies. She must
necessarily act in accordance with
their wishes.
Japan Will Follow Allies
"lf they decide to take no action
toward Russia. Japan's onlv course Course
would be to fall in with their deci-
sion. If. en- the contrary, the other
Allies decided to resort to hostile
measures against Russia, Japan would
be called upon to dispatch her troops
TO Siberia
I'm that event the japanese would.
Of course, carry everything before
them, as the Russians are sadly lack
ing IN martial spirit, and consequently
lsusslan territory east of Lake Baikal
would easily, be brought under Japan's
sway: should the expedition be under
taken Jointly by Japanese, American
regain possession of their territory
(presumably the Amur region) and
the Americans obtain control ovsr
Behring Strait.
This would, indeed, prove an epoch
making incident, and would be even Of
greater significance than the European
s,tuatlon itself. If the districts about
Balkal should be given to China. and
America be allowed to possess the cast.
err eIn part of Siberia, Japan occupying
tne middle part, it would make China
smd amd hmer,ca 1, Japan,s only neighbors,
ton might be made more comYortahla
III Japan could conduct such an a.
petition without fear of runnino conn
TER to the wishes of her allies I thin,,
1T would be advisable for this count,.v
TO make the venture with an eve to
hter permanent interests, even t6ougb
It It might involve some economic loss
for a time" 'o'S