The Nenana daily news., 1918-09-23
JAPAN ACCEPTS YANKEE D|CIUM
 IN JOINT MOVE

l tary expedition to NladivoStock to help the Czecho-Slavs precipitated an internal political crisis in Japan. The question of intervention in Si-
 beria had been an issue here so long that it had become delicate question for the Japanse, and one, also, on which the country was more or less divided.
 For many months, the Entente nations had been urging Japan to intervene or to join with them in urging the United States. to ad- here to plan of intervention. On the other hand, leading Japanese statesmen counselled steadfast policy of cooperation with the United States on all matters per taining 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 des- patching troops to Vladivostock, not in the sense of intervention, but ] to help the Czecho- -Slovaks, and simultaneously suggested that Japan send 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 Japanese troops would chiefly make up the expedition; other na- tions merely sending contingents to give the movement an inter-all;ed tone. The American initiative, there fore, took Japan by surprise.
 As representative put it: "Tne idea of Japan being placed on par with an occidental power in an expedition intended for a spot lying as 1t were, at our very door. was certainly not pleasant to the Japan ese who believe that of all powers of the world, Japan is most vitally n tp l,, fhA C..
 Siberia" :"
 Such was the first impression created by the American note, but further reflection is believed to have convinced the Japanese that the United States initiative was in no sense a reflection on Japan. The joint expedition was therefore accepted in principle, but a great controversey was raised over the question whether Japan herself should not intervene in Siberia for the protection of her national in- terests.
 The military party is believed to have been distinctly in favor of in- tervention, this plan having the sup port of the general staff of the army, of Marshals Prince Yamaga.a and, to some extent of the cabinet. which is presided over by the Pre- mier, Marshal Count Toranchi.
 Lengthy discussions ensued le- tween ministers of state, the mem bers of the recently appointed dip lomatic advisory council and also the leaders of the political parties who were called in for consultation.
 The rejection of general inter vention at this time may he as- scribed, first, to the growing in- fluence of the business interests, who favor complete cooperation with the United States in Japan's o"h interest second, to the oppoSl- ton of the political parties whose backing was necessary in obtaining necessary diet appropriations, and, third, to the decision of leaders gen. erally that Japan should move slow ly, and, above all things, work hand in hand with the United States.
 Linked with these considerations was the hesitancy of the political groups to support a military pro gram which would insure indc finite ! life for the present cabinet. The Terauchi ministry is officially we'd : ded to no party, and the political |