The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-06
INTERVENTION
NOT ADVISABLE
United States Fears Action in
Siberia Might Be Misunder.
:. stood by Russians.
NO CAUSE FOR SENSATION
Matter Frankly Discussed
German Menace Not Yet War.
ranting Risk Involved.
NO CAUSE FOR SENSATION

(By DAVID Lawrence
(By Telegraph to The Chattanooga
News. Copyright, 1918, by New
York Evening Post Company
Washington, March 6.-Altogether,
too much of a sensation has been made
out of Americas attitude toward
Japanese intervention in Siberia. The
facts do not warrant it, and mistaken
impressions are likely to produce bad
feefing In Japan. 1t Is true that the
United States has not assented to the
suggestion of a Japanese expedition
but 1t is untrue also that the Wash
ington government has dissented or
protested. What, then, has the United
States doneo Here is the chronology
that will answer that question:
Japan Worried.
First-Japan became worried
over the changed situation in
Russia; began. to fear that the
thousands of German and Aus
trian prisoners loosely guarded in
Siberia would form a nucleus that
would take possession OF the
Trans Siberian railway and men,
ace Japan.
Second--Japan did not act on
impulse, but consulted her allies.
England undertook to sound the
members of the entente. France
land herself leaned to the French
view. The United States made in
quiries as to the facts of the mill
tary situation in Siberia.
Third-The United States consid-
cred the matter from every angle and
gave It as her deliberate judgment
that the intervention by any power in
Siberia at this time might be mis-
understood by the Russian people and
f,r hat !, ,po dx-i leo h1p
No Note to Japan.
Fourth--The Washington govern
ment sent no note to Japan, nor to
the allies. but in the same friendly
and informal way in which Americas
opinion was asked, was the reply Civ
en-. AS matter of courtesy the
American ambassador at Toxic was
instructed to tell the japanese govern
ment not by note. but orally, what
the view Of the United States was.
That was for the information Of the
japanese governme 1t can neither
be called a protest nor representa-
tion. 1t simply a. evidence of
frankness, for When Great Britain and
the United States are discussing what
one of their allies should do. Il would
not be courteous to Japan not TO tell
her what is going on.
Situation Not Clear.
Fifth-The situation Is by no means
clear even to ,ur Vernment. Japan
hasn't finally decided for herself what
ought to be her course. She appealed
to the allies for advice. and II gave
1t freely. Unquestionably. the assent
of France and Great Britain will be
sufficient and Japan will so afead.
That involves no frictio with the I
United
Japan. but simply a difference OF
opinion among allies.
Nor is il the first time that the
allies have differed on the policy
that ught to be pursued toward
Russia. Once before the United
States dissented rom Great Brit
aims policy and President Wilson.
in his message to co. gress last
December, publicly stated his be-
lief that things might ha been
better in Russia IL the American /
policy had been pursued. Amer /
iea IS not tied by any agreements
or treaties and in a technical
sense is simply a beIigerent.
But whenever the allies ask
America for her views. this gov
.rnrsnt expresses itself freely.
There has been no special 'res-
son why the United States should !
be asked about a military situa-
ton IN Siberia any more than in
the Balkans. But realizing the
profound interest Of the United
States in the fortunes a. the new
Russian democracy, the entente
allies thought Il advisable to
make no move without consulting
President Wilson.
President infirmed.
The president has been informed Of
the advantages nd disadvantages in +
Nolved in japanese intervention. II is
true that considerable allied sup
plies arc In danger, but that Is a hnan-