Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
ZAP WRITER SAYS TIME
RIPE FOR NATION TO ACT
So1f.Preservation Requires His Coun-
g. try Shall Halt Hun Pen
etratiOn.
POINTS OUT MENACE TO EAST
German Submarine and Aircraft
base at N1adivostok Would En-
~ tail We'll Nigh Irreparablc Loss
Upon People OF Japan.
50 BIZ n. kATO.
london Editor of OsakR NIninichi,
~ Japanese Daily Newspaper.
- international News Bureau.l

~ Japanese Dnily Newspaper.
international News Bureaul
Japan's special position. 10th physi-
cally and politically, in the war made
her statesmen think that her hour OF
whole hearted military cooperation
had not yet struck. The physical diff
}Gcuities OF sending large army 10
the European thcatcr were SO great
that even with he. utmost cndcavcr it
would have been something Ike beat
ms tho roof of high building with
the top OF long pole.
Politically, she was waiting for the
time when tho public opinion. both OF
her own nation and that OF her allies,
would have come TO the unanimous
agreement that her military interview
zion was a matter OF Indispensable
Importance. Such a concord OF public
opinion. both at home and abroad. has,
in my opinion at last come.
The German menace in the Far East
is now serious enough TO arouse the
patriotic enthusiasm TO high pitch,
which spirit is most essential for a
victorious war for any nation, espe.
e1ally for the Japanese people. whose
moral code is so much conferred upon
the love OF country.
vLADIvosToK AS ENEMY
RASE WOULD MEAN HAVOC
Suppose for moment that Germany
could launch few submarines in the
Pacific using Nladivostok as her naval
base, or send out thence few squad
rons Of airplanes across the channel
TO attack the defenscless cities and
towns within the range OF such air
raids, what would be the consequences?
It would mean an entire paralysis or
the Japanese shipping. now engaged
IN Japan's own commercial enterprises
as well as in the all-important service
Tor the allied cause. and, moreover
Il would mean that the wooden houses
of tho Japanese towns would be put 10
Ere like box OF matches IN Eratci
The liberation of German prisoners
in Siberia is another danger which
might happen at any moment when
Russia and Siberia come under the
domination of Germany. Japan's hour
10 intervene has now arrived. if SIM
ply for the sake OF her elf-protection.
But Japan's responsibility is moro than
her own defense. because no one can
possibly fail to see the disastrous con-
sequence which might arise out Of
German penetration TO the Far East
II is as il the front door Of a house
had been opened 10 her on account OF
the Russian abject surrender, but the
Key OF the back door is in Japan's
hands. Can Japan be SO unfaithful TO
the allied cause as 10 abandon that
Key 20 the enemys hands even with
out n struggle? God forbid! vrhe
guardianship of Tho Far Eastern pcac.
is one OF the most sacred duties OF
Japan, for which fulh!!ment she would
fain stake her own national destiny.
Here lies the foundation OF under
standing among all the allies. whose
pubic opinions have now become so
ripe that whatever Japan would deem
it her duty TO undertake TO check I
world calamity would be acknowledged
oy all her allies with full accord and
perfect confidence.
JAPAN ONLY WANTS FREE
HAND TO DISCHARGE Duty
Japan's proved loyalty to the allied
cause goes without saying by th!s
time. The western sllics can very we'll
rest assured that Japan will never be-
tray their interests. even under the
crushing weight OF German arms
What Japaap wants at this critical mo
ment s,!a Tee hand to play her en-
trusted role in the world war
When neutrality OF Belgium was
trampled upon by Germany did France
wait for a mandate from her allie, TO
lake the necessary step 20 defend her
own country? what Belgium was m
tho safety OF France, Siberia is 10 the
safety OF Japan no defend herself ia
10 defend the allies as whole There
's no discrepancy of interests between
Japan and her allies, even including
Russia herself. for whose rationa,
safety Japan is pledged to give her
assistance by the letter and spirit Of
the late Russo-Japanese agreement,
we japanese are not going 70 fight
against the Russian people; far from
~. We are going TO do our best 10
save them from tho German DONNA :
ton, II not in Europe at least in tn.
Far East; The coming generation o,
Huss!a WI! surely bc thankful for
'apahs intervention a. this critical
moment History Will Judge our m.
9e!hsh HoiiVe III even temporarily oc-
cupyins the tenantless Siberia.
The most effective c,-opera-ion =.
Japan in this war lies in the rart she
IS going 70 play Ia tho outer court O,
her own homeland II We could control
IN time the whole Trans Siberian Rail
way we might very likely be able 70
save Fet!oGrad from German occup,-
ion II This honor he denied to us ~.
~hal! DC satisfied with the b, Of worE
2 CHECK tn" German Invasion cas-. q,
Ural -
Japan's :ura o: clll co-opera,;oo !,
~ me VOL! war hiss "a, last come I, Il,
S4Fely the .ut.reS, u Nor v,os,..,,
o!!ies. "a wei! as 81 the United s,a,os
% America ,Aat ;hsy should no., -rys.
rate her u;'Hos; effo-: ia her aM,tica