The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-01
SHALL JAPS INTERVENE
IN SIBERIA?
Continued from page L.

In SIBERIA
Continued from page -
ton, but the principles for which tn,
allies are fighting include prom
bition against military adventures II
search of trade
It is essential for the allies to holf
fast to their democratic ideals. Moth
ing at this stage of the war, matters
as much as that, insofar as the future
Of civilization is concerned. If there
Is to be future cooperation with Rus
STA, the Russian people must not ot
permitted to believe that the allies
profess their faith in internationa
democracy only when 1t Is conyen
lent to do 80.
An expedition by japan into Siber
la could serve no democratic purpose
whatever. 1t would be imperialist1c
in conception and might lead to re
turn Of the general policy of interna'
tional selfishness. 1t is difficult for
human nature to reform itself when
deeds must succeed words. When, as
in the present case, there are signs
Of backsliding, they ought to be sup
pressed.
Russia will consider the far eastern
situation as the real test Of the allies
sincerity. None of the Siberian war
supplies Is in danger OF falling into
German possession The allies, there
| fore, cannot afford to risk a wrong Inn
preston being placed on their motives
because of the questionable advantage
OF restoring order in Siberia by for
eign military Intervention.
Preparations are Completed.
LONDON, March Announce
ments have been published in Toxic
pointing out the necessity for safe
guarding the peace OF the far east,
according to dispatches received
here today.
Some quarters are said to be al
ready apprehensive of the possibility
of enemy submarines and seaplanes
operating from Vladivostok.
1.-THE government Is silent, but
there is reason to believe that prep
arations are completed for enabling
the nation to rise to the occasion
whenever the necessity demands"
said an agency despatch.
The government is believed to
have carefully avoided anything in
viting the powers suspicious Of its
true purpose.
Some members of the cabinet
favored consulting the powers after
taking action, in view of the gravity
of the situation. But 1t may be
safely surmised that the government
is strongly impressed with the
necessity of preventing a misunder-
standing.
Released Austrian and German
prisoners are reported to have armed
and munitioned themselves from the
allied supplies at Vladivostok.
VIII Oppose Intervention.
SAN FRANCISCO, March l.
Eighty thousand trained Siberian
Cossacks will oppose any infringe
ment" on Siberia's sovereignty, ac-
cording to Colonel Nicolai Alexandra
witch Listsovsky of the Russian rail-
way guards, who passed through San
Francisco today enroute to Washing
ton from Russia.
Siberia will not be occupied by
the Japanese without a stubborn and
bloody resistance on the part of the
Siberian people and the more radi-
cal elements in Vladivostok threaten
to burn the city and the immense
quantities of munitions OF war rather
than have them captured" he said.
For Benefit Of Russia
LONDON, Mar. 1.-Commenting on
the Japanese proposal to land troops
in Russia, the Star today said:
eff Japan lands an army in Rus
STA, IT will be for the benefit OF Rus
STA and the world"
The Pail Mall Gazette said:
America Is sensitive on questions
of self determination. She may feel
uncertain as to how far Japan will
observe them after victory We do
not think there should be any o6-
stacle or reservation. Such ISSUES
can be brought to settlement at
the peace conference"
Decision Still Hanging Fire.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-Ameri-
cas- decision as to Japanese or joint
allied action In Siberia still hung fire
today.
The state department this after
noon said no determination has been
reached. The cabinet was to meet
this afternoon, however, and the pro-
Demonstrating many serious intern
al aspects-was regarded likely to
come up for full discussion.
Meantime army and navy authori-
ties felt no action should be taken in
Siberia with American sanction. How
the state department stood was
puzzle.
Officials. however, let 1t be known
that they feared many Russians
would join the Germans in case japan
entered Siberia. They said Germany
waa hpldipp IN tho spacfra of n Do