The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-17
CAUTION URGED
UPON JAPANESE
Influential Leaders Realize
Need of American Sup
port in Siberia.
WISH IS TO SAVE RUSSIA
Cooperation Of China Desired
and Efforts in That Direc-
ton Are Under Way.
WISH IS TO SAVE RUSSIA

TOXIC. March "a tdelayed) When a
week ago the possibility Of japanese
Intervention in Siberia became known
and a fcod OF opinion from the western
press poured into Jaran there was con
siderable excitement in the belief that
speedy mobilization OF the army and
navy would be ordered. Extremists pic
tured airplanes over Toxic and sub
marines from Vladivostok The hysteri-
cal "outs" in the Diet heckled the Gov
ernment, and the newspapers were fIled
with the contrary views, according to
the interests or the imagination OF
those responsible for the situation.
Presently. however. the tone became
auieter. and II appears possible TO see
more clearly the true Japanese outlook
which Is characterized in many quarters
as entirely safe. sane and loyal"
To-day practically the entire respon-
sible press Of the capital Is advocating
intervention in Siberia in cooperation
with the Allies and China, not directed
against Russia, but as an ally loyal to
the Russians. wishing to save the coun-
try. Ono OF the most outspoken papers
| is the Kokumin Shimbun, owned and
edited by Ichiro Tokutomi. who Is a
close personal friend of the Premier.
| American Viewpoint CndePstoOd.
Japan realizes, II IL authoritat!vely
stated. that II the United States declines
| lis support the situation will be eN-
I tremely delicate, because financial and
| material assistance must come from
America Any feeling Of distrust or un-
| fr,endlineSs seems to be lacking. AZ a
matter OF fact large section OF In
nuenta, men In Japan favor the Amer
| lean viewpoint. while, only Few chau-
vinists Jeer at Premier Terauchi and
| Foreign Minister Motono as being un-
| der American influence.
! Leading men. such as Baron Shibu-
/ sawa. president OF the American Japa-
nese Association. for the commercial
section. and Yukio Ozaki. leader OF the
! Constitutional party. for the outs ad-
vocated extreme caution. Similarly
! many strong supporters of the Admins
tration point out that the hour FOR ac-
! ton has not yet struck. They say that
. Hrst II .s absolutely necessary for all OF
Russia and the rest of the world to un-
derstand that Japan is engaged in nc
chauvinistic adventure and desires
nothing more than to safeguard the
Far East. assist the Allies. and. II pos
sIble. save Russia from German domna-
ton, which means the mailed fist in the
, Far East.
chinese PrOble IN Serious.
The Chinese problem Is one OF the
most serious features. II is recognized
that this Is China's great opportunity
and Japan is urging the leaders In the
nortl and south to settle thHir differ
encss by sound compromise. form 4
capable national Government at Pekir
and join Japan and the Allies in guard
ing the frontiers and helping Russia
Some indications are manifest that thi'
effort may be successful
Tong-Shao-ii who has held many
posts in the cabinet. was formerly Gov
ernor OF Mukden Province and IL leader
Of the National party OF China. is OF
ha way to japan. Baron Hayashi. th'
Japanese Minister to China. has returned
TO Pekin. and it is stated that there Il
reason to believe that by tactful diplo
! macy the obstacles to the effective co
operation between Japan and China II
Siberia may he removed in time to en-
able both countries 70 share in the Fa
Fasteners real participation in the war
such an outcome Of the present negotia
tons resulting In agreement and 90
ope4ation between Japan and China
would mean. to the minds OF Japanes
statesmen. an alliance Of vast Import
alct.