Evening star., 1918-05-18

Japan dIlQ SnlIld nave Deen IN
formed by the allied govern
ments that they have arranged
for entente military co-opera-
ton to meet the dangers threat
ening the peace of the far east
from German penetration.
The entente military cooperation
arranged to meet threats to the peace
of the far east by German penetra-
ton. as reported today from Paris. is
understood here as a purely defensive
measure in which participation for
the present will be confined to Japan
and China. Its primary purpose is
the safeguarding of Manchuria with
possibilities of it's extension to ST.
IBERIA.
Such information as is available
here today does not show fully how
the agreement affects the American
governments views on military
demonstration in Siberia.
Confined to China and Japan.
1t is clear. however. that the
agreement is confined at present
solely to Japan and China
For Sopoa fiyna tiapu havA
been in progress at Peking and Toxic
looking to the cooperation of these
two nations in that direction.
Japan, under her treaty with Eng
land and also under the conditions
self-imposed when she Joined the en-
tente allies felt herself chargeable
with maintaining the security of the
far east. When German influence first
began to manifest itself in Siberia the
Japanese government conceived a plan
of military occupation of some por-
tions Of Siberia, including the port
Of Vladivostok and a zone along the
Siberian railway certainly as far west
as Lake Baikal and possibly to the
Ural mountains.
Preliminary inquiries directed to
the entente powers. however. devel-
oped a divergence of views as to the
wisdom Of a single-handed movement
of that kind by Japan. There was no
disposition to question Japan's sin
certify, but doubt was expressed as to
the actual existence of imminent
danger from German aggression in
that far-on quarter OF the world,
while the United States government
feared that the effect upon the Rus
sian people of Japan's invasion of
Siberia would be misunderstood, and
that the Russians in their fear of
permanent Japanese occupation would
be thrown into the arms of Germany.
Toxic Abandoned Project.
Therefore it was announced in Toxic
that the project had been, il not aban-
doned, at least indefinitely postponed
in execution. Meanwhile the activities
of Gen. Seminoff. the Cossack leader
of the anti-bolshevik party in Siberia,
had resulted in practically a state Of
war on the border between Siberia
and Manchuria, forces from both sides
passing without hindrance across the
line and throwing the country into
disorder.
1t was known that some German
and Austrian prisoners of war were
though there is wide difference OF
opinion as to their number. The
Chinese government promptly en-
ployed what military force 1t had in
3 udI uiuS upper MduCnuTld, OUT IL
was apparent that the task was be-
yond the powers of Chinese troops
unaided by trained veterans.
Therefore. Japan. mindful Of her
obligations to maintain peace in the
east, has come to the aid of China. as
The negotiations just completed at
Toxic and Peking provide combined
Japanese and Chinese military action
to any extent necessary to protect
Manchuria from invasion.
Troops May Go to Siberia.
1t is admitted that this may involve
Chinese-Japanese troops
into Siberia But 1t is expressly de-
clared here that any such action is to
be regarded as purely defensive: that
there is no intention OF making war
sion territory, or, in fact. doing any
thing more than is absolutely shown
to be necessary to prevent the extern
sion OF disorders along the Chinese
border and in eastern Siberia. which
are directly attributable to German
influence and the participation OF Ger
man and Austrian prisoners OF war.
So far as the entente powers and the
United States government are Cum
cerned, it is learned that they are
with their military forces
in any action that Japan and China
may find it necessary to take. What
has been done, was to notify them
of the purpose of Japan and China,
and SO far as can be Learned no OBJ
lection has been recorded.
Allies Have Watched.
Meanwhile. it develops that in con-
sideration Of the whole broad Russian
problem and with a view TO aiding
the Russian people to repel further
German aggressions and penetration
into Russia in violation of the Brest.