Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-03-08
SGandinavianS Protest Against
Occupation of New
Republic.
ALAND ISLANDS ALSO SEIZED
Berlin Explains Action by Saying That
Military Operations Are to Wipe
Out Rebel Bands and
Restore Order.

Washington, March 5.-Germany's
occupation of the Aland islands is
only a preliminary to the total occu-
patton of Finland.
Official dispatches TO the Swedish le-
cation say Germany has announced to
the Stockholm foreign office her inten-
ton to occupy Finland, and that Swe-
den has protested.
Germany advised Sweden, the dis
patches relate, that it was necessary to
occupy Finland temporarily to restore
order but gave assurances that she
had no intention to take permanent
possession of the territory.
Sweden protested also against the
Aland islands being placed in the war
zone.
The occupation of the Aland islands,
the messages say, is to make them q
base for supplying the German occu-
patton of Finland.
There are 800 Swedish troops on the
islands for police purposes Their COM
mander was notified by the German
commander of his intentions, and,
while so far there has been no clash
reported the Swedish troops have not
been withdrawn, and the feeling is de-
scribed here as being very tense.
Russ Destroying Railroad.
The Russians have begun destroying
bridges on the Trans Siberian railroad
between Lake Baikal and the Chinese
frontier, John F. Stevens, chairman of
the American railway missiOn~repOrt-
ed. to the state department.
The destruction may prevent Am
baSsadOr Francis from reaching Vladi-
vostOk
While without details, officials here
believe the Russians are destroying the
bridges to prevent an expected adj
vance of Japanese troops. A large num-
Der of other structures have been
mined, Mr.. Stevens also reported, so
they could be readily destroyed.
Mr.. Stevens, who sent his dispatches
from Yokohama, and therefore I'M
doubtedly from japanese intelligence
sources, said it was understood the
bridges already destroyed were near
Chta, east of Lake Baikal.
Doubt BoIsheviki Plot.
Officials, however, do not believe
that the destruction of the railroad is
In any way part~Of bOlsheviki plan to
prevent Ambassador Francis and the
other diplomats from leaving Russia
if they choose to do so.
They suggested that, as there was a
German prison camp near Chita, Ger
mans might have blown up the bridges
with the double purpose of stopping
movements of japanese troops and in
tercepting Ambassador Francis.
No Decision Reached.
At the state department it was said
no decision had been reached as to the
part the United States would take in
Japan's plan for Intervention in Siberia
to prevent the railroad and immense
quantities of war supplies from falling
into the hands of the Germans.
Military action by Japan in eastern
Siberia to check German influence and
protect war stores at Vladivostok is be-
lieved to be imminent.
It was said in diplomatic quarters
that the Japanese probably would move
| quickly to meet emergency conditions,
leaving to the pending diplomatic ex-
changes development of an understand
| ing with America and all the allies
upon the scope and purposes of the en-
| terpriSe.
Likely to Rush Agreement.
While it had no direct bearing upon
| the situation in Asiatic Russia, the
news which came to the Swedish lega-
| ton that Germany has given notice OF
her intention to occupy the whole OF
| Finland will tend to hasten an agree
ment upon Japan's plans.
| AS a matter of course secrecy has
| been observed and a strict censorship
| in regard to the Siberian question is
| I'm force at Tokyo. Possibly the next
| word to come out of Japan on the sub
| iect will be an announcement OF some
thing accomplished.
If the decision is reached to give
Japan a free hand in eastern Siberia,
IT is conceded that no other military
| or naval power is in position to rem
5or bar any substantial aid, owing to-