Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-03-06
SITUATION EAST DEVELOPING.
Probabilities that Arise Affecting Ja-
pan---Request from Allies.

London, March 4.-The British,
French and Italian ambassadors In
Toxic intended yesterday or to-day
Jointly to ask Japan to take the nee
essary steps to safeguard allied in
terests in Siberia, according to the
Daily. Mail. The newspaper adds
that the American ambassador was
not expected to join the request, but
that no disturbing conclusions are to
be drawn from this fact, as no Amer
ican opposition is expected.
Action Believed Imminent.
Washington, March ,4.-Military
action by Japan in Eastern Siberia to
check German influence and protect
war stores at Vladivostok is believed
here to be imminent. The United
States has not yet expressed it's views
on the proposed step, but it was said
in diplomatic quarters tonight that
the Japanese probably would move
quickly to meet emergency condi-
tions, leaving to the pending diplo-
matte exchanges development Of an
understanding with America and all
the allies upon the scope and pur-
poses Of the enterprise.
While 1t has no direct bearing
upon the situation in Asiatic Russia,
the news which came to-day to the
Swedish legation that Germany has
given notice Of her intention to oc-
cupy the whole Of Finland will tend
to hasten an agreement upon Japan's
plans. The German explanation to
the Swedish foreign office, which has
protested against the proceeding, that
the occupation Is to restore order
and without intent to take perma-
nent possession, Is regarded as very
nlnQr Indication aF uyho
may undertake in any part Of Russia
now that the Bolsheviki have been
forced to accept their hard peace
terms.
Ignorance Of Plans.
Officials and diplomats here pro-
Tess ignorance Of what preparations
have been made by Japan for the op-
erations about to he undertaken. AS
a matter Of course secrecy has been
observed
In this connection it is recalled
that at the beginning of the Russo
Japanese war the Japanese acted
without heralding. Before there was
any such formality as a declaration
Of war, Russian feet had been
smashed and the war was half won.
IT has been stated in official quarters
that this is no concern of the entente
allies nor OF America how Japan goes
about the task, once the question of
policy Is settled. If the decision Is
reached to give Japan a free hand in
Eastern Siberia, 1t Is conceded now
that no other military or naval power
is In position to render her any sub
stantial aid owing to the lack of
available forces.
In diplomatic way the situation
has remained unchanged since the
middle of last week. The State De-
partment has not indicated to the
Japanese government what may be
ito view Of the new situation created
by the signing of peace articles by the
BOlsheviki. The statement made re-
Gently by Viscount Motono that Ja-
pan had a working agreement with
the entente allies and America in re-
gard to this question, 1t is said, has
been taken too literally. Officials say
what the viscount probably meant
was that there existed sympathetic
understanding on the subject.
Confidence in Intention.
In seeking an understanding as to
scope before going on record as sup
porting tho Japanese action, the
American government Is understood
to hold that II 1t has every confidence
in the proper intention OF japan, 1t
would be easier to convince neutral
nations and moreover would enable
q America aud the allies to defeat any
y German design to organize the dis
iCordant elements in Russia on the
German side, were there some formal
assurance that Russian integrity was