Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12
JAPAN ALONE IS ABLE
TO PROTECT FAR EAST
Japanese Writer Tells How and Why
His Country Will Help
Entente Allies.
WANT NO GERMAN BASES NEAR
Would Send Troops to Russia, rs
Friends OF That Country, to Stop
Eastward Progress OF Prussians
and Cutting OF China Artery.
by CONNESkE ISOMAI.
international News Bureau

ScaTS.)
Your readers will long since have
realized that Japan has regarded her
treaty with Great Britain as no mere
scrap OF paper" but as grave and
"cighty engagement, to be Carried out
In the spirit and In the letter with
the same punctilious care as an under
taking between two gentlemen. The
sword Of Il Samurai once given covers
all emergencies.
Japan declared war against Germany
on August %. 1914. in strict accordance
with the provisions OF the Anglo
Japanese alliance. After having sue
cessfully captured the German strong
hold OF kiauchau. otherwise known as
Tsingtan. on November Z. 1914. the
Japanese navy assumed the RESPONSE
blity OF safeguarding international
trade in the Far East.
At present. acting on the special
request OF our western ally. we have
concentrated our dcstroycrs and cruis-
crs In the Mediterranean. and are en-
gagged in much hard nghi!nS with the
German submarines in order to protect
the allies transports in that region.
We arc now approaching a very strange
phase OF this terrible struggle. In
Japan there is disposition 10 con-
slider that the hShtinS in Europe has
now reached Il stage OF stalematc. in
spite OF the much alkedof offensive
on both sides. Indeed. 1t is feared in
some Japanese circles that the war
may end in q draw. 30 far as the west
ern front Is concerned
How could Japan help TO avert such
a regrettable rcsult?" is the question
which excitcs the utmost curiosity in
western countries Japan can now send
her troops. which have SO far been
kept intact. through the back door OF
Russia-Nl where enormous
iaG for ht 90. Ia, Ia
are accumulated. although TO send
Japanese troops by sea IL 1T present
unthinkable. OWING to the lack OF tom
mage. II is regarded as quite feasible
Via Siberia. IL once that railway be
transferred to Japanese management
The port OF Niad!vostok being the
terminus railway station OF Siberia. is
quite accessible from Tsuruga, Japan,
across the sea, which is only days
journey. khar5!n. the junction rail-
way station between Nladivostok and
Moscow and tho japanese South Man
churia railway. is Also very important
place.
a fact which should not be ignored
in connection with the onward rnarGn
OF the German forces into Russia H.
that the moment kharbin should faI.
into hostile hands. the welfare OF China
and Japan VIII be at the cncmy's
mercy. both from military well as
economic sta ndpoinis. IT Is the center
OF the whole Manchur!an trade. the
soya beans being the principal item
OF the daily business transactions.
The German occupation OF kharbin
means a, once cutting the artery OF
China and Japan, which decides the
lie or death Tor China and for our
selves.
Japan does not aim at territorial
conquests or acknowledgements. She
simply wishes TO see the peace OF the
Far East duly and thoroughly safe
guarded ana secured
What about Russia. our cx-ally. af-
ter her separate peace? Is She 10 be-
come neutral country or an ally %
Germany? strictly speaking. the
separate peace now concluded means
only the withdrawal from hostilities
OF Russia. Doubtless Russia VIII IN
future maintain AS neutral friendly re-
lauons with our enemy. in order TO
become an ally OF Germany, L further
treaty OF alliance should be required
II Is 4 great mistake 10 suppose that
the separate peace with Germany
necessarily means that Russia has not
become AN ally OF the central powers
What is the attitude OF our allies
toward Russia. now that this separate
peace has been concluded? The danger
or leaving Russia severely alone is
now being daily illustrated on the
western front and in the Balkans, TO
say nothing OF the possibility Of seeing
the Turco bulgarian forces concen-
rated for action in Asia Minor
Diplomatic attacks upon Russia will
be OF no avail. To attempt to attack
Russia with armed forces from the
Franco British side is. under the cir
cumstances. out OF the question. Japan
Is the only country among the entente
powers who is ready to checkmate the
herman domination throughout the
vast territories OF Russia via the
siberian route. She has not only in
her possession one or the most efficient
ana well-dIsciplined armies intact and
ready 10 mobilize at Il moments notice
but also she Is endowed with the
most favorable geographical advan-
tages In Immediately ousting the now
threatened German grip of Russia
therefore. the whole world awaits
with intense interest in every indica-
ton OF the attitude likely TO be taken
oy Japan at this critical juncture AS
matter or fact. Japan Is no longer
entitled to act Independently of her
western allies. being bound to obtain
their consent before deciding upon any
now course OF action. Yet IL would ba
intolerable TO the Japanese tempera-
Hient TO permit German intrusion in
the Far East.
uItheTluoTe, the Japanese people
living chiefly in wooden and paper
houses. without Easements, and with
no convenient underground RAILWAYS
available for shelter. are not disposed
to welcome the csta Enlistment OF Ger
man aerodromes or submarine bases
in their vicinity.
AT present Russia is not an enemy
OF Japan. but friendly country.
Therefore. II. In response 10 the -.
sire OF her western allies to prevent q
German advance through Russia. Janan
sent troops to that country. they would
enter it as friends and defenders OF
the Russian people, and not as their
enemies. Once tho word is given.
the Japanese, of whom largo numbers
have already been landed at Vladl-
vostok. the terminus OF the Siberian
Railway would swiftly occupy all
those regions east OF Lake Baikal. and
would there esta blish n frm barrier
against any German advance in that
direction.
Poor Japan! From the beginning Of
the hostilitics she did her best to helm
Russia in her terrible struggle against