The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-10
JAPANESE QUESTION
IS STILL UNSETTLED
Intervention iii Siberta Looms TaFge
But IL Met With Silence
BY Government.
WAITING FOR PRESIDENT
Diplomats Expect Him 10 Deliver
Another speech on War Aims With
Russian Collapse a. Text--Trot2ky
Resigns ss Foreign Minister.

| Washington. March 9.--Develop-
Iments in diplomtic circles here and
iRbroad during the coming week are
/ Hooked for to make more definite the
attitude OF ali the powers concerned
/ toward Iapans proposal to intervene
in Siberia
! For the present the veil is drawn
at Washington over the details of ex-
lchanges that are passing hack and
forth. After letting it be known that
1.-The United States has Informally
/ edged at Toxic her objections to the
project, officials here have been con-
tent to sit tight and await Develop
ments,
While It IL supposed that Japan her.
self VITA make some move shortly to
D. fine her position. the eyes of officials
and diplomats alike are turned as
usual toward the White House. The
| impression persists in many quarters
despite the lack OF official confirma-
Etion that President Wilson plans short
| ly to take the public more into the
confidence OF the government on this
teuestion. whather or not this would
be done through an address to con-
gress liz a. matter OF speculation.
| 1t has beer expected ever since the
last address Of Chancellor Won Hert
ling on the German peace terms that
the president would have something
nor to add to his series OF war aims
speeches. The Russian peace and the
Japanese proposal are assumed to
have interrupted his plans In this re-
gard. II IS now thought in many
quarters that his next address when
/ II comes will take both these develop
tments into consideration.
Admittedly the entire world war
situation is at a stage where the po-
liticaI and military phases are in clos
est possible relationship. Russia with
her tremendous resources in men and
foodstuffs looms still as the great I'M
certainty, despite the exchange Of
peace negotiations at Brest Litovsk.
/ While the thought has long been
held in some OF the entente countries
THAT Russia is no ger to he taken
into the reckoning the attitude OF the
United States toward that country re-
mains one Of lively interest. There
are still men of importance in the
government here vho think that Rus
STA with friendly treatment can be re-
deemed from the German influence
that brought about the one-sided
peace pact at Brest- LAtovsk. Presi-
dent wilson's confidence in the future
OF the slav democracy remains I'M
lshrken.
While official confirmation is still
lacking for the report that Trotzky
has resigned it has created a pro-
found impression, Sfgniecance la
found in the possibility that it re-
fleets the growing protest of the Rus
slams againA the German made peace
that TrotZky negotiated. The Rus
sian soyiets. which supported the Boil
sneviki faction In it's earlier career.
meets at Moscow March Ia. the state
department WAS advised today. and
the matter of the German peace
realty will be discussed. 1t hangs
I'm the balance as to whether the So
lviets viii endorse the peace or re-
pudiate IL For this reason, among
the Japanese proposal, IN it's effect on
Russian public opinion. is matter
of consequence.
The statement of Lord Robert CeciL
British under secretary for foreign af-
fairs that Japan should he allowed
TO proceed with her proposed inter
wentson is taken In many quarters
here as to evidence that Great Britain
and perhaps the other entente powers
will take measures of definite assur-
ance TO the United States regarding
IJapan's Intentions
| There disposition to attach i'm
portancc to the suggestion that Great
Britain may soon And her Indian pos
sessions menaced by the march OF the
Germans through Russia and may find
/ Ii necessary to call upon Japan to
fuifil her obligations under the Anglo
u Japanese treaty. Under this compact
Japan pledged aid for the defense of
India II threatened