The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-05
ACTION Of JAPANESE
IN SIBERIA HELD UP
Cautious Attitude of United States
Has Effect on European Coun-
tries,
VITAL BRIDGES DESTROYED
Pending Definite Outcome III En-
tente Policy In Far EaSt--Prcsident
Wilson Postpoues Message to ON
gross as Intended

Washington. March 1.-THE in
fiusncs Of the United States has ap-
parently held up Japanese action In
Siberia, There are indications here
tonight that the cautious attitude OF
the United States has had its effect In
Europe. London and Paris, accord
ing to their representatives here, are
not SO keen for intervention rs they
we're three days ago.
Except from Count Molnno's speech
in the japanese diet. the only au-
thoritativs expression OF japanese in
tsntion, received here today were
closely scanned by officials. His al
fusion to luu understanding with
the United States and the allies was
characterized as generality. no
agreement has yet been reached, 1t
was stated, on the specific matter Of
Intervention.
1t liz probable that this has again
delayed President wilson's purpose OF
going to congress with a word on the
new problems OF the war. II was
generally expected about the capitol
today that the president would come
upon the hill with his message to-
morrow. Al the white house however,
the indications were quite to the CON-
trary. Pending a definite outcome
OF the entente policy in the Far East
It is not believed that the president
will be willing to speak.
officials agree with the general as
sertion OF Count Moiono that there
exists a full understanding between
Japan and the allies This full I'M
derstanding Is counted upon to re-
strain Japan In the face of the general
entente sentiment against interyen-
ton which seems now to be swing ng
around to the American view.
This view throughout has been pro-
missed officially on the Russian situa.
ton. There has been no expression
any place tending to question japanese
motives But the view against in
terventton on Russia's account has
been strengthened during yesterday
and today by several developments.
One of these was report received
by the state department today telling
that q vital bridge on the trans
Siberian railroad at Chinta. between
KAks Baikal and the Manchurian
border had been blown up.
Another was the readiness of the
Chinese to act Large forces of the
best Chinese troops are at Hardin.
Other large forces. despite Withdraw
ais on account of the revolutionary
trouble in South China. are available
at other points in Manchuria- Har-
pLJlt IL rs lUddty QOeS NOT 40
solutely control transportation on the
Trans-Sibertan line. The Russians
have latelv completed the line on all
Siberian territory aiepg the valley OF
the Amur river, But ffis line runs
close to the Manchurian border. 1t
might be cut by Chinese forces against
whom the objections laid against
Japanese action could not be raised.
The German troops have ceased to
advance in Russia with the reported
signing of the peace pact and this
has removed the pretext for Japan's
proposed action.
1t is further learned today that
there are approximately 100000 tons
OF supplies al vladivostok The best
movement yet obtained over the
Trans-Siberian railway has not been
over 10000 tons a day. Under all
these circumstance IL is held that i'm
portant removals from the port could
not be made.