Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-09-04
JAPAN DON'T, KNOW WHICH IS
 PROPER THING
Intervention in Siberia Has Created Internal Polit--
 ical Crisis.

The Associated Press.) United States suggestion to Japan for a joint military expedition to Vladivos- tok to help the Czecho- -.Slovaks pre- cipated in internal political crisis in Japan. The question of intervention in Siberia has been an issue here so long that it had become a delicate question for the Japanese, and one, also, on which the country was more or less divided.
 For many months, the Entente na- tions had been urging Japan to inter- vene or to join with them in urging the United States to adhere to plan of intervention. On the other hant, leading Japanese Statesmen counsell- ed a steadfast policy of cooperation with the United States on all matters pertaining to Russia. In a military sense, Japan got ready and needed but word from her allies, including the United States, to send an army into Siberia.
 Then, suddenly the United States announced her intention of despatch ing troops to Vladivostok, not in the sense of intervention, but to help the Czeiho- o-Slovaks, and simultaneously suggested that Japan send a number of troops
 Many people in Japan felt that, if military action came in Siberia. Japan would receive the mandate of the powers to act for them, and that Jap anese troops would chiefly make up the expedition; other nations merely sending contingents to give the move ment an inter-allied tone. The Ameri- can iniative, therefore, took Japan by surprise.
 As representative put it "The idea of Japan being placed on a par with an aciidental power in an expedition intended for spot lying, as it were, at cry door not pleasant to the Japanese who believe that of all the world, Japan is most evitally interest," ed in the fate of Eastern Siberia.
 Sun was the first impression crea- ted by the American note, but further reflection is believed to have con- vinced the Japanese that the United States iniative was in no sense re- flection on Japan. The joint expedi- tion was therefore accepted in prin- ciple, but great controversy was then raised over the question whether Japan herself should not intervene in Siberia for the protection of her na- tional interests.
 The military party is believed to have been distinctly in favor of inter- vention, this plan having the support of the general staff of the army of Marshals Prince Yamagata and, to some extent of the cabinet which is presided over by the Premier, Mar shal Count Turanchi.
 Lengthy discussions ensued between recently appointed Diplomatic Advis- ory Council and also the leaders of the political parties who were called in for consultation.
 The rejection of general interven- tion at this time may be ascribed first, to the growing influence of the busi- ness interests who favor complete CO., operation with the United States in Japan's own interest; second, to the opposition of the political parties whose backing was necessary in obtaining necessary diet appro- priations, and third. to the decision of leaders generally that Japan should hove slowly, and, above all things, work hand in hand with the United States.
 Linked with these considerations hesitancy of the political groups to support a military program which would, insure indefinite life for the present cabinet. The Terauchi minis try's officially welded to no party and the political parties in Japan are striving for a constitutional regime of party cabinets, with consequent increase of power of the House of Representatives, as the body repres- enting the voters. The defeat of the interventionists is rgarded in some quarters, therefore, as a viitory for constitutional progress. and incidental ly. as a blow to the influence of the elder statesmen, long time powerful in deciding the destinies of the em- pire. EVvNENN nEDCS TNnvrnNS 7SNvr