The Washington herald., 1918-07-19
SIBERIAN PLAN
AWAITS ACTION
OF JAPANESE
Approval Deferred Owing
to Doubt of Two Coun-
ell Members.
LITTLE DELAY LIKELY
Any Action by Japan Will
Accord with Views
of Wilson.

London, July 1S-The chronicle says
there is reason to believe that the
entente is approaching an agreement
with Washington for armed interven-
ton in Siberia. the Czecho-Slovak
success having opened the way for
such action.
japan, however, appears to be less
enthusiastic. A Toxic dispatch to the
Times says the diplomatic advisory
council was scheduled to meet Mon
! day to approve the decision already
reached by that government for a
joint REPRESENTATION Intervention,
but that action was postponed because
Of opposition of two ministers who
held that the situation was not sum-
GENTLY critical to necessitate inter
vention by Japan.
Dispatches from Pekin and points
in Mongolia show that the Czecho-
Slovaks are advancing along the line
OF the Trans-Slberian, south OF Lake
BaiksL Bolshevik forces are re-
ported concentrating near Vechnie
Idinsk and it is feared they may
blow up the tunnels. blocking the line.
Japs watch situation.
Tokyo, July 1S.-Deveiopments of
the Siberian intervention problem
are occupying the attention of the
Japanese press. The statement is
now made that America has pro-
posed intervention by America and
Japan with the consent of the other
allies. The matter was considered
by the Cabinet on July 5.
The Asahi says America appar-
emily was prepared to intervene in
dependentIy. but the allies opposed
such action The abrupt change in
the American attitude is the sub
ject of much press comment. The
Asahi says the cause OF this Is not
clear. unless it was brought about
by a desire to play a leading part
in any action taken in Russia
Asks No Guarantees.
The postponement of action by the
Japanese government in approving the
American-Japanese agreement for a
peaceful penetration Of Siberia, as
reported in the Toxic dispatch 10 the
London Times, will probably cause
little delay in the action Of the United
States and the allies.
From high diplomatic sources II
was made clear here yesterday that
japan will accept the decision which
President Wilson reached last week.
II can also be stated authoritatively
that Japan will ask no guarantees
relative to her future in Siberia, in
return for joining the United States
in aiding Russia. The Japanese gov
eminent has made It very plain to
the State Department that II Japan
aids in bringing about law and order
IN Siberia, she will enter upon the
project with no other object than that
which has led to the decision made
by the United States.
For some time Washington has
known that the United States had
eettled upon the policy to be pursued
In Siberia 1t Is known that through
Secretary Lansing the decision Of this
rountry was transmitted by djplo-
matte channels. to the Japanese gov
eminent. News that Japan had rati-
ned the decision was withheld by her
representatives in this country pend
ing the action Of the japanese diplo-
matte advisory council
Power OF Advisory Council
Under Japan's present form Of ad-
fninistration, final action by the gov
ernment in questions of great import
Is not Initiated by the emperor until
he has consulted with the advisory
rCuncn. This council consists Of the
Foremost statesmen Of the nation. II
numbers in its membership the Lead
.rs of the administration and elso
the leaders of the minority political
rarties Of Jaran. Under this p.an
approval Of ary state policy by tie
advisory council carries with iI the
appi oval Of every party and faction
In Japan and permits the government
10 proceed without fear Of criticism
and without danger that the admins
tration will be unseated at the very
fine when the united support Of the
nation is necessary to the success of
n great undertaking Frequently the
support of what might be termed the
s.supercouncil'' Is obtained when great
budgets for expenditures are passed
ana are awaiting the final decision
Of the Emperor.
An official who has been. In close
touch with the part which the Japan
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.