New-York tribune., 1918-03-07
Wilson Not to
Act on Japan S
Siberian Plan
Toxic, Through Allies, Knows
America Doesn' t Favor In
tcrvention in Russia
By c. W. Gilbert

WASHINGTON, March 6.-The facts
about this country's relations to Japan's
project Of taking control in Siberia
are these: This country has not as
sented to Japan's plan. Neither has
it dissented nor protested 1t is not
likely to assent. Neither is it likely
to dissent or protest.
The incident appears 10 be closed,
for Japan already knows our views.
No note has been sent to Japan. No
formal interchange has taken place.
What has happened has been informal
and apparently indirect. AS to what
a view is that is neither assent
nor dissent it is possible to guess.
A fair guess is that it is a doubt. We
question the political wisdom and the
military necessity Of Japan entering
Siberia without being invited by the
Russians themselves.
What has taken place is entirely
friendly. 1t has raised no issue, so
it is believed here in Washington, with
Japan. There is no distrust, SO it is
said, Of Japan. Our position is not
affected in any way by the fact that
the power proposing to enter Siberia
is Japan. We are thinking not of the
power to enter. but of the power to
be entered namely, Russia. We think
it unwisc for any Of the Allies to enter
Russia against her will, or without her
express invitation
British Convey
Opinion to Japan
Apparently this opinion has been con-
veyed to Toxic by the British govern
ment What happened was that when
Japan began to debate action in Siberia
to protect her own and the Allied in
terests in the Far East, imperlled by
and the advance of the German army
into Russia, Japan turned naturally to
her ally in the East, Great Britain, and
asked her opinion of the project. Great
Britain felt that it would be we'll to re-
fer the question to the other Allies and
to their o-belligerents." Accordingly
our opinion was asked. 1t was given to
Great Britain precisely as an opinion,
nothing more.
The presumption is that we have had
no direct communication with Japan.
Allied opinion outside of this country
quite generally favors action by Japan.
Great Britain favors it and so does
France.
AS to Japan itself, some doubt pre-
walls here as to whether she will enter
Siberia. 1t is said that she has not yet
made up her mind, and Washington is
to-day disposed to emphasize the dis
patches which represent Japan as di-
vided and the Siberian project as mere
lv move of the Terauchi ministry to
save itself. It is definitely known that
Japan has not yet acted.
No Compensation
For Moral Loss
The reasons which impel the Admin
istration to take the position it has are
purely diplomatic. The contention that
unless Japan acts military supplies at
Nladivostok will fall into the hands Of
Germany and that a U-boat base will
be set up in the Pacific, this govern
ment regards as absurd. The Presi-
dent feels that no military advantage
would come from the entry into 81
IBERIA which would compensate for the
moral loss which would proceed from
acting on Russian soil without the con-
sent of Russia.
The foregoing states the situation
with regard to Japan's project in way
! that gives the Administration the ben
eft Of the doubt. The Administration
makes light Of differences of opinion
among the Allies and of their failure
to agree on questions OF policy like this
one concerning Japan and Siberia, ant
also the similar difference in regard tt
/ addressing further peace speeches t.
Austria or to the German Liberals.
These two issues nevertheless dis
close a profound divergence between
Mr.. Wilson, on the one hand, and Mr.
Lloyd George and Mr.. Clemenceau, or
( the other.
Military considerations impel ,th,
Allies to support the plan to dcfens
Siberia against Germany Poltica
considerations impel Mr.. Wilson to dis
approve it.
| VENUS PENCILS-i7 degrees that ar
4 td0al for YOUR avery nur0oaa