Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-28
ANPLANS
TO keep HUN
OUT SIBERIA
Suggests That U. S. Lend
Aid to Protect Supplies
From Germans.

Washington, Feb. 2S-Lapan has d.
rected inquiries to the entente pow
ers and the United States government
to test their feeling toward a pro-
posal to institute joint military op-
erations in Siberia to save the war
supplies stored att Vladivostok and
along the Siberian railroad. Criti-
cism at home of the failure of Japan
to- play larger part in the war is
said to have been influential IN
bringing about the negotiations.
Officials here refuse to discuss this
subject for publication, but it is un-
derstood that so far as America is
concerned the proposition, when first
preached. was not wholly acceptable,
though the exchanges on the subject,
which are still in progress, may re-
suit in modifying the governments
attitude.
Accumulated at Vladivostok are
military supplies of all kinds, much
Of American manufacture, and even
greater quantities of Japanese origin,
which were delivered long before the
Bolsheviki assumed control Of the
Russian government. The Stevens
commission Of American engineers
! made extraordinary efforts to inn
prove the facilities of the Siberian
railroad so that these stores could be
transported for the use of the Rus
sian army on the German and Aus
trian fronts. A good deal of accumu-
lation was removed, but great quaint
ties remain on the docks and in ware
houses and even in the open, both at
Vladivostok and at points westerly.
Fear German Demand.
The material suffers greatly from
deterioration through exposure to the
weather and from other causes. but
the principal matter of concern to the
allies is the danger that the stores
shall fall into the hands of the Ger
mans, who may make their delivery
one of the conditions Of any peace
treaty which they are about to COM
pei the Bolsheviki to sign.
This situation is regarded by the
Japanese as warranting the adoption
of some measures to secure these
stores, even if this involves military
action on their part. They are quite
willing to have the cooperation of
the entente forces and of American
troops and sailors in this object and
the problem which Is now before the
-belligerent chancelleries is wheth-
yer Japan shall be allowed to proceed
single-handed if campaign in that
quarter is begun. Looking to the fu-
ture, it has been argued that there
should be combination movement
to avoid any such question as to the
ultimate disposition of occupied ter
ritory in Siberia as might follow the
exclusive entry Of any one country.
+ We Could Send Troops.
From the tone of the discussion OF
this subject in official Washington it
appears that while the entente gov
ernments incline favorably to joint
campaign with Japan in Siberia, they
are faced with the obstacle that prac-
tically none of them has any troops
or ships available for an Asiatic CAM
paign. This statement does not ap-
ply, however, to America, which not
only has some powerful cruisers
with large crews and marine contin-
gents now in Asiatic waters. but in
addition has about 10000 troops in
the Philippines and two battalions.
about 900 strong. in China and on the
railroad where they could be rushe II
quickly into Siberia.
Would Be Saving Grace.
| While this whole American force
would be insignificant compared to
Japan's great naval and military re-
sources at the scene. the participation
of the American troops in the cam
paign would serve to maintain its
international character.
The Russian representatives in
Washington strongly disapprove OF
any campaign in Siberia conducted
under Japanese auspices, even though
there be joint operations. urging the
belief that the Bolshevik elements
struggling for control at Vladivostok
and along the Siberian railroad will
never permit the military stores TO
pass into German possession and that
they can be depended upon to pre-
vent the seizure of railway stations
. by the German prisoners of war who
are reported to have been given their
liberty by the Siberian local authoc-
tiles.
Plan Causes Stir.
London, Feb. 2S.-A speech made
Sunday by viscount Motono and re-
ports from Paris as to Japan's pos
sible activities in view Of the German
advance into Russia are given prom
inence by the morning newspapers.
!: In its editorial comment, the Daily
Mail says:
General Foch's appeal to Japan
: and the United States to cooperate in
, confronting the Germans in Siberia
, is answered by Viscount Motono as
; far as Japan is concerned. II an al.
lied expedition. in which Japan ant
/ America would necessarily have
leading parts, could control the ST.
, berian railway and with it the rict
Hood raising and mineral bearing dis
tricts OF Siberia, heavy counter
/ stroke would be dealt to Germany
advance. Japan's service In the al
/ | lied cause already Ia considerable: |
lis not impossible that she will sool
ladd to It"