Evening journal., 1918-03-15
vrsster Especially for THE EVENING
JOURNAL
BY G. CHARLES HODGES


Authority on Far East Affairs.
"Japan holds herself responsible for
the maintenance Of peace in This part
Of the world, and consequently In
event that peace is endangered TO the
Inevitable detriment Of our interests
the Government OF Japan will not hesi-
iale moment to take proper meas
ures."
Count Terauchi. Nippon's war pre-
mier. thus stated Japan's attitude to-
ward developments that have centered
the war spotlight upon Pacific Siberia.
It is today a matter Of profound
concern and gravity to the United
States and the allies
Is the peace watched over by Japan.
as her Far Eastern prerogative, actually
ieopardized today9
What will be the ultimate result OF
Japans action on the Terauch decla-
ration Of her rights, challenged by the
BussO-German pesc2 treaty at Brest-
Litovsk with its as yet incalculable
developments
Allied restraint upon Japan seems
10 be promised upon the fear that
japanese military invasion Of Siberia
might drive a rcsontful Russia into
an actual physical alliance with Ger
many.
It has also been unoflciany stated
That TO invade neutral" territory
without Russian invitation would JUS
tify the Teutonc invasion OF Belgium.
Nladiyostok is today the base OF
% sinister quest ON mark.
The lnter-Alfed Conference at Psris
left the NIfados land free TO act as
events dictated
Japan is keenly alive 70 the great
responsibility put upon her Senti-
ment IN the Nipponese Empire has been
moving toward intervention - action
whore Japan believes she can be Of
most a. ssistance to the Allies
Leaders in the Aikados land have
not favored participation on the Euro
poan fr0nts-transportatio muniiion-
ing an wcosts being against It, But
ihe th~owing Of japan might into the
east Of Russia, checking chaos which Il
maxim the Slays the prey OF Germany,
has been impending.
The Allies have used watchful waiting
as way out from the Russian disinte-
grafton There has been every dispo-
-ition TO avoid any interference IN her
Internal troubles
But the spread Of disorder making
possible Teutonic gains OF a value in
'HlfNLINIt dN lNlo llllltf u lNiNiN- AilN
Allied hands Most OF all is Japan af-
fscted because Of loans made 90 Rus
sia. both state and private; Of muni-
tions supplied since 1914 and OF vital
interest at stake
The Japanese apprehensions have
reached the Allied chancellories. to-
gether with the means she would en-
pl0y to avert the danger. Just what
steps are 10 he taken must be settled
speedily by the Allies.
Diplomatic circles have understood
that at the clio r. Of 1917 the japanese
ambassador warned the Bolsheviki gov
eminent that Nippon does not intend
% suffer the slightest loss through the
future reorganization Of Russian finance
and VIII hold the Bolshevih respon-
-ible for The safety OF Russian capital'
hence japanese credits.
Iapan wants to occupy the eastern
part Of the Russian Empire. single
handed OF with Allied aid. on the
ground that she will be-
f'' n'scharging her duties a. one Of
tie Allies;
~ Blockinr tho German war-aims
looring eastward 20 the supplies and
resources Of war gathered at Vladivos-
tok;
(3 Holding territory as a security
for Jansnese Interest," threatened
Nippon. which owns Korea and oc-
cupies the southern part Of Manchuris
with troops ready to strike, and pos
sessing a war-machine most effective
In the east. can accomplish five major
ends;
u) Occupy Vladivostok. the key tc
the situation. preventing munition;
needed by the Germans from falling
into their hand, and blocking the hos
tile use OF this base Of operations on
the Pacific.
f2' Seize the continental rail-
way gird.ng the Russian Empire stop
ping the extension over it OF chaos
into the east, as well as holding uI
the movement Of munitions into parts
threatened by the Teuions.
49, support the Siberian provinces
opposing the Bolshevik, and prevent
The thou ands Of Teutonic prisoner:
there from helping the Kaiser's schemes
OF conquest
lD Extend the occupation Of Man
churia by Japan north into the par
o. hitherto held by Russia as Japan, II
case OF disorder even in times or peace
had agreed to see that the status qu'
was preserved along the Russian trans
continental railway cutting across tnt
part OF China.
t5l Take over the northern nalf o
Sakhalin. completing the re-cJnques
OF territory begun ia 1905 after Russl'
had forced its cession by Nippon II
1875.
The Allied policy pointed to join
action-Iapan acting under an arrange
ment with ourselves and the allies
The widespread occupation Of hus
sia's territory by Japan alone migh