Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-28
AWAIT
NU.S. WORD TO ACT
ALLIES Eager for Toxic to
Intervene and Guard
Vladivostok Supplies
AMERICA MAY OPPOSE
Government Believed Not in
Position to Join or Officially
W n Approve Move
wAsHINGToN. -,eb.

Japanese intervention or joint action
IN Siberia today seemed to await only
American approval.
High military authorities today cx-
pressed the belief that the United states
Is not in a position to join Japan In a
military expedition to save the war mu-
nitions In eastern Siberia or to recognize
ofYicially any such expedition by Japan
alone. They pointed out that the United
States and the Allies are criticizing Ger
many for sending a military expedition
against Russia On the excuse that 1t Is
TO save life and property
The Japanese Government. they said.
Is negotiating the delicate situation
through the State Department and the
Foreign Offices of the other Allied Cow
ernments in her effort to obtain sanction
for. her proposed expedition. The mili-
tary authorities said there are many
millions of dollars worth of munitions
at and near Vladivostok and along the
eastern end OF the Transsiberian Rail
road. These for the most part came
from Japan. they said. the only Ameri-
can-nade munitions being railroad sup
niles. shipped before the abdication Of
the Czar
British and French diplomats indicate
ed that their countries are more than
willing that Japan SHOULD step into the
war by acting to guard huge supplies
at vladlvostok and Harbin and TO pre-
vent Germany from getting grasp
either on the Siberian Railway or on
eastern Siberia.
BELIEVE TROOPS on MOVE
Japan has repeatedly said that she
would take no steps in the war which
were not sanctioned by her allies. So
presumably she has at least sounded
out" these allies and apparently has
received favorable intimations In reply.
Japanese diplomats have let II be know
that Japan is ready ito act in Siber =,
and press dispatches indicated that de-
velopments in Japan are being hidden
by the censor. This might indicate mo-
bllization of forces or actual movement
OF troops and supplies. In Japanese
quarters here there is strong belief troop
/. movements have begun
Reports that the japanese Diet has
made an important statement of policy
toward the far eastern problem also
tended to show that something nomen-
tous is at least Under consideration.
Japanese participation would doubtless
mark an important turning point in the
war Japan Is cognizant Of German
Vaccinations in the Far East and recent
developments have indicated that in ad-
dition to a Mittel Europa. Germany Is
ambitiously seeking a Berlin-to-Tol;ic
plani This is impossible of realization
IN a military sense, army men feel, but
with her progress in Russia and hei
Vaccinations in Siberia there is q
chance of serious trouble in Siberia
RUSSIANS OPPOSE PLAN
Japan's forces, with or without Allied
aid, could do much to compose tina
+ situation, and this is apparently wha
:. u about to happen.
= On the other hand strong opposition &
such move by Japan has long beel
voiced In Russian quarters here. 1t wa
pointed out that the Russians woul,
deeply resent and might scout tn
sincerity of japanese cooperation /,
Siberia.
II is held more than possible by Rus
SLAMS here that the entrance of Japal
into the eastern conflict might be exactl
what Germany is seeking by her presen
maneuyers-to draw Japan on, the
create fear and distrust in the mind
of the Russians and eventually line Rus
sia up with the Central Powers IT
hght of the new invader"