Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-28
JAPAN SUGGESTS
SIBERIAN ACTION
ment to Project Believed
to Be Unfavorable.
MILITARY STORES MEMACED
Japanese Think Something Must
Be Done to Keep Them
From Germany.
MILITARY STORES MENACED
fRv Assoclated pr.ss l

y
WASHINC:TON. February 21-Japan
has directed inquiries to the entente
powers and the United States govern
ment to test their feeling towards Il
proposal &c institute joint military OPP
crations in Siberia to save the vast
quantities Of war supp.a2s stored at
Nladivostoh and along the Siberian
railroad Criticism ut home OF the
failure OF Japan to play a larger part
in tho war is said TO have been iniiu :
entail in bringing about the nesoti,-
tons.
Officials here refuse 10 discuss this
subject for publication, BIS. 1t is I'M
derstood that SO far as America is con-
ccrucd the proposition when first
preached was not wholly acceptable.
though the exchanges on the subject.
which are sill in progress. may result
in modifying the governments atti-
tude.
Accumulated a, vaidivostok are
military supplies Of all kinds. much o.
American manufacture. and even great
or quantities OF Japanese origin. which
were delivered long before the Boil
sheviki took possession of tho Rus
sian government. The stevens com
4
extraordinary efforts to improve the IA
ciities Of the Siberian railroad so that
these stores could be transported west
ward for the use OF the Russian army
Oh the German and Austrian fronts.
y good deal Of the accumulation was
removed. but great quantities remain
on the piers and IN warehouses and
even in the open. both AZ Vladivostor
cr1p u,
The material suffers greatly from de-
terioration through exposure to the
weather and from other causes. but the
principal matter OF concern to the al
lies is the danger that The stores shall
fall into the hands Of the Germans.
who may make their delivery one OF
the conditions OF any peace treaty
which they are about 10 compel the
Bolshcviki TO sign.
WILLING TO HAVE
ALLIES COOPERATE.
This situation is regarded by tho
japanese as warranting the adoption
or some measures TO secure these
stores. even If this involves military
action on thcir part. They arc r,itc
willing to have tic cooperation OF the
entente forces and OF American troop;
and sailors in this object, and tho prob
lem which is now before the cobcllig-
crcnt chaHc"llorics is whether Ianar
shall be allowed to proceed single
handed If campaign in this uuart:-
is begun. or whether there shall he
Joint operations. Looking to tho fu-
turc. it has boon argued that there
should be a combination movement II
avoid any such question as 20 tho ulti-
mate disposition Of occupied territory
in Siberia as might follow the cx-
elusive entry Of any ono country
From the tone OF the discussion Of
this subject in Official Washington i,
appears that while tho entente gov
"rrncnts ere favorable to a Joint cam
paign with Jauan in Siberia. they arc
faced with tho obstacle that pra ell
cally none of them have any troops
or ships available for an Asiatic com
paiSn. This statement does not apply
however 10 America. which not only
has some powerful! cruisers with lar-,,
crows and marine continEcnts now in
Nslat!c waters, bat. in addition has
about 10000 troopS in the philippircs
and two full battalicns. about o0o
strong. n Ch;ra and on the !iac OF
railroad where they could be rushed
quickly into Siberia
WITH AMERICAN TROOPS THERE.