The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-03
j, s, WILLING TO
TRUST JAPAN'S
SIBERIA AIMS
President COncurS in In
vasiOn Views of Britain
and France.
GIVE MORAL SUPPORT
japanese Warslip> Now
Guarding Russian War Sup
plies at VladivOstOk.
Special Despoich 10 The - y

WAsHfScTuN. March - President
Wilson Is understood TO concur fully in
the views of the British and French
Cove! nments that Japan can be en-
trusted 10 carry out the proposed Sibe-
iidn campaign with no thought OF terri
toTial ACKNOWLEDGMENT or selfish motives.
The question Of formally indorsng a
Japanese military expedition into Siberia
nevertheless is regarded az extremely
delicate here. No decision OF tKis Gov
eriMeMi's attitude on ,Iis point has
been announced.
The feature Of the question under
stood to be uppermost in the Presidents
mind concerns the effect such actor.
might have on the present situation in
Russia. On the other hand. there is fear
that the Russian people will interpret
such a move as hostile invasion. and
that German agents will he quick to
seize on this Interpretation for the pur-
pose OF inilam!ng the people Of Russia.
On the ether hand. there is the pressing
need for some sort of protective action.
for latest reports show that the German
plans are making steady headway.
Latest unofficial advicer from Russia
state that the Boisheyiki are ar:,ling
ana enrolling German and Austrian
prisoners of war. Thousands OF these
Prisoners ar. known 10 he stranded in
siberia. Reports OF Boishevii. activity
nj Nla1!Nostok have reached here and
Il Is by no means certain that some OF
the hus. stores Of supplies there have
not been tamre:ed with. Immediate
protective measures are imperative. it
IS admitted Japan is ready TO under
take this police duty at once and jap
aaesr warshiis aie already on the
scene
japan Could DO Police Duty.
The Developments OF the dag Indicate
that japan might undertake some sort
Of restricted police duty at Nlad.vostok
and In the vicinity while awaiting fur
ther word from the United states and
the Entente, II Is regarded probable
here that such a course will have to he
followed. for time is admittedly vital
factor now. The question OF the extent
Of the Japanese expedition might then
await Developments IN Russia.
Bui even this plan does not remove
the diplomats difficulties which are be.
ing given careful consideration here.
From the viewpoint OF the general in
ternat orul situation the following de-
velopTen's were emphasized in uiplo-
matte circles here to-day:
Japan has not asked the Allies or the
United states for PERMISSION - send Il
protective expedition into Siberia. nor
has Japan notified the Allies that the
Toxic Government had decided upon tn IS
move as measure OF military necessity.
, Japan has called the attention OF the
Allies to the danger of the situation and
its obvious menace to the peace of the
Far East and has intir1ated that action
: was necessary. This really has amounte ed
TO an invitation by japan to the Allies
TO cooperate with her in 4 join: cXpedi-
ton into Siberia. but the Japanese Gov
ernment is understood to anticipate that
the Allies will invite Japan to take ex.
elusive charge OF the situation.
Both the British and. French Govern
ments believe Japan should be invited
20 hand" the matter. and they regard
the practical advantages Of the eNpedi-
lion as offsetting the possible future dis
advantage of innaminR the Russians
President Wilson apparently hesitate te:
about approving without reserve The
British and French course.
Two Courses Open to President.
Apparently the President has tw,
courses open to him. One !s TO JON
Great Britain and France IN !ny1tin;
other is to adopt a passive attitude ant
not so on record b. approving or disap
proving the Japanese plans. Full approva
by the United States as We'll as t;rea
Britain and France might give the eN
pedition the character OF All allied NOV,
and thereby make IL less likely to rous,
Russian national pride. II the German
should by any chance succeed in inflam
ing Russian opinion against the cXpedi
ton, President Wilson's future influence
with the people OF Russia. II Is fel,
might go by the board.
There Is little question OF anythin,
but moral support for Japan's plan b.
the Allies or the United States,
There Is no thought whatever her
OF United States troops participating Il
any Siberian expedition. This woul,
not nc necessary nor is it desired b.
Japan. In fact /, Is pointed out il
Japanese circles here that the coopera
tion of the forces OF another country i
the expedition would probably he take
by the Japanese people as a sign tha
Japans motives were distrusteC
Japan's role is to guard the peace @
the Far East and II Is well unde rstoo
here that tho Japanese people woul
not look with favor on any effort I
deprive Japan OF the opportunity OF ful
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