El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-05
What Is Japan Up To?

TUST what sort of an excursion into Siberia is Japan
planning? Much has been printed about it. but mainly
y generaIties of a nature most vague. About all
have been told is that Japan has suggested Intervention in
Siberia, that OF the allies have asked Japan to
intervene Siberia and that the matter under consider
alton at Washington Some versions have that joint in
PREVENTION Of the United States and Japan contemplated
and there foundation for that belief Other
versions confirm that the suggestion has been made that
Japan would prefer going in alone leaving the United
States to concentrate all energies on the immense task
with shipping too Plentiful on moving troops and
supplies to France
1t understood that Japan plans least the occupa
ton of YlsdiTostok Two Japanese cruisers there
the haIbor already When the time for troop movement
comes Japan will be found acting with great aacrty But
what the scope of the Japanese program? Does
ternate the mere seizure f VIadivoS+ and the Guarding
of the Asatc end the Ians-Sbera railway against Boil
shevik and German aggression The Boshevik
plain and there about $4,000 veteran German soldiers
nomnay prisoners Of war in Siberia who possess great
trouble making possibilities Or does Japan think of going
west into Russia and engaging the German army? Or
merely of going far possible west into Siberia and hold
ing the territory safeguard against possible German
encroachment into the far east?
Undoubtedly president Wilson and secretary of state
Lansing accurately informed these matters but the
public only speculate The chief of the allies
is that the many millions Of dollars worth Of materials
and other supplies lying at the port Of Vladivostok shall
not be destroyed by the Boshevik fall into German
hands As well let them get into German possession as
into that of the Lennes and Trozy who would not pay
for them.
The thought of Japan going to PetrOgrad or west of
Petrgrad to fight the Germans has found much favor with
those who of the mpossby Of that project
is 1000 miles Siberia by rail to Petrogad and the
IalHodo IS N WIeteheo eonoltlon-neIey single Track
line at that Moving an army over it by rail would be an
endless undertaking with every circumstance favorable
With active passive hostility the part of Rus
SLAMS and liberated AustroGerman prisoners it would be
removed utterly from the realm of possibilities.
The most that Japan could do would be far into
Siberia possible and give Germany and Russia something
engage their attention in that direction Russia might
declare Japan and join with Germany. Even So the
situation would be toleIabe for Russia "down OUT
and Germany not at her best while Japan fresh eager
well equipped and strong with army estimated at about
100000 men.
Of course If Japan goes into Siberia it doubtless viii
be with the idea Of staying That is what must be furnish
ing most to allied statesmen The average Amer
viii feel very much less about it. holding the
view that It matters little whether Japan Russia holds
Siberia, and better that pan seek outlet in Siberia
than be casting longing gnnces at possessions in the
Pacific.