South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-05
JAPAN WILL
MOVE WITHOUT
ENTENTE 0. K.
Understanding with America
to Be Left to Diplomatic
SOurCeS-EmergenCy
Demands Action.


IBERIA 10 check German aggression
and protect war stores az NIadivos-
tok IS believed here % be imminent.
The United States has not yet ex-
pressed its views ON the proposed
step but DO was said in diplomatic
quarters tonight that the Japanese
probably would move quickly 90
meet emergency conditions and
leave 20 the pending diplomatic eX-
changes development of an under
standing with America and all the
allies upon the scope and purposes
OF the enterprise
While il has no direct bearing up
ON the situation I'm Asiatic RUSSIA.
the news which came today TO the
Swedish legation that Germany has
given notice OF her intention 10 oc-
cupy the whole OF Finland will tend
90 hasten the asreement upon Jap
ans plans. The German eNplana-
ton 20 the swedish foreign office,
which has protested against the pro
ceeding. that the occupation is 10
restore order and without intent %
take permanent possession is re-
sardcd as a very clear indication
of what the Teutous may undertake
In any part OF Russia now that the
bolsheviki have been forced 90 ac-
cept their hard peace demands
News of Battle Next.
Officials and diplomats here pro-
fess ignorance of what preparations
have been made by Japan for the
operations about To- be undertaken.
As "a matter of course secrecy has
been observed and strict censor
ship i'm regard 10 the Siberian ques-
tion is in force at Toxic. Possibly
the next word 20 come out of Japan
on the subject will be AN announce
ment of something accomplished.
In this connection il is recalled
that at the beginning of the Russo
japanese war the japanese act
without heralding. Before there was
any such formality as "a declaration
OF war. a Russian fleet had been
smashed and the war was half won
II has been stated i'm official
quarters that this rs no concern Of
the entente allies nor OF America
how Japan goes about the task once
the question is settled II the Je-
cision is reached TO give Japan
free hand i'm eastern Siberia il is
now conceded that no other military
or naval power is in position TO rem
der any substantial aid owing 10
lack Of available forces.
In a diplomatic way the situation
had remained unchanged since the
middle of last week The state de
partment has not indicated 20 the
Japanese government what may be
its view OF the new situation Great
Ell by the signing of peace articles
by the bOlsheviki The statement
made recently by Niscount Motouo
that Japan had a working agree
ment with the entente allies and
America i'm regard TO this question.
il is said. has been taken too liter
ally. Officials say what the Wis
count probably meant was that
there existed sympathetic under
standing ON the subject.
Would Insure Russ Integrity.
In seeking an understandings as
10 scope before going on record as
supporting the Japanese action the
American government is understood
To hold thtat while it has every con
hdenCe I'M the proper intentions of
Japan. u would be easier TO con-
vince neutral nations and moreover
would enable Americ,. and the al
lies Co defeat any German design 10
organize the discordant elements i'm
Russia ON the German side. We're
there some formal assurance that
Russian integrity was not 20 suffer
4 hi-h official today expressed the
opinion that for this reason the sit
uati0n was very delicate and ere
quired very careful treatment az the
hands OF the press Co avoid embar-
IassinE Observation-Disclosures. Infor-
nation IS wanted rcEarding the ex-
act terms of the peace signed at
Brest-Idtovsk. and II - pointed out
that there is as Yet no assurance
that the terms forced upon Leuine
and Trotzky would be accepted by
the Russian people Should there
he a resumption OF the Russian de-
Tense asainst Germany that fact
would have an effect upon the situ-
alton an siberia, as il might easily
make possible a friendly agreement
between Russia and Japan where
hy the latter government would be
authorized 60 take any military ac-
tion needed Co carry ont her suar-
autee of peace in the FAR east.