The Washington herald., 1918-03-08
Entente silent.

Entente silent. .
1t is admitted that the govern
ments OF these countries agree with
their respective popular opinions.
There has been no intimation in the
press, however, that either London,
Paris or Rome have spoken. ap-
proval to Japan as vigorously as
has the United States dissented.
Under all these circumstances it
was predicted here last night that
Japan will withhold action for the
present unless a desperate and in-
mediate necessity at Vladivostok
should confront her.
The United States is palpably ex-
pecting that Japan will reply to her
friendly representations before act
ing in contravention to them. They
have been made in a perfectly
friendly way. Diplomats point out
that for japan to act against the
representations of the United States
and without previously explaining
her action would be anything but
friendly.
q. 8. I'm Open.
The Washington administration has
let it be known with perfect freedom
what 1t thinks of the proposed action
Of Japan. Statements that this opin-
ion mas been transmitted to Toxic are
not denied. Despite the fact that Eng
land, France and Italy undoubtedly
cherish q contrary view there Is no
utterance any place that can be au-
thoritatiyely assigned to these gov
ernments as an expression.
Itsis in this sense that the action of
Japan is looked to to provide a test
of her good faith to the entente. For
her to go into Siberia under the pres
ent circumstances would be for her to
fly in the face Of the specific beliefs
expressed against such a course by
the chief statesman Of an ally. a man
who more and more has been accept
ed as the leader of the entente in the
diplomatic conduct OF the war.
For the present at least she would
have behind her the approval Of her
other allies expressed only in their
pubic journals and only in the most
general of terms.
Back of all these suggestions, how
ever, there is the admission that
should any sudden emergency con-
IEOnL JdDdH III the dN East sic
would be then justified even in the
view of the United States as express
ed to her. That view included the
proviso that intervention to save life
might be justifiable.
Discount Reports.
Chinese disbelief in the approval Of
that government for Japan's action is
based largely on the fact that the re-
port comes from Tien Tsin: 1t was
pointed out by men familiar with the
situation in the Far East that Tien
Tsin is the center for all the rumors
that blow with the monsoon. II is
the center for persons and firms who
are materially interested in the i'm
mediate pacification of Siberia, under
no matter what auspices. IT was from
Tien Tsin, it Is pointed out. that the
rumor came three days ago telling
that Japan and China had already
acted jointly on the Asiatic mainland
against the Bolsheviki and against
Germany.
The still delicate situation of the
Far Eastern problem is believed to
be now holding President Wilson from
going to Congress with a new state
ment on how the war stands after
all the many developments of the last
three weeks. The President Is known
to have been almost ready to 90 to
Congress on the Russian situation ten
days ago.
The unexpected reply to his peace
speech by Chancellor van Hertling
forced him to postpone his proposed
utterance. Then hardly had he pre-
pared to go to Congress with his an
swer to Hertling than the Far Eastern
problem doomed up. 1t is now be-
lieved that he will 70 to, Congress as
soon as this matter has been cleared.
either by a definite statement from
Japan that she will or will not act
for such and such reasons, or through
developments in Russia that might
wipe out all pretext for japanese
action.