Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-03
JAPANESE SIBERIAN
DECISION EXPECTED
EARLY THIS WEEK
America and Allies Must
Place Entire Confidence
in Japan.
NO FORMAL DECLARATION
OF INTENTIONS REQUIRED
But Inquiries May Be Made
About New Menace in
Eastern Siberia.
DIPLOMAT GIVES HIS VIEWS
Reports That Troops Have Already
Been Sent to Asiatic Rus
sia Not Believed.
DIPLOMAT GIVES HIS VIEWS
fBv Assocla,eI prc-E ]

WASHINGTON. March THE re-
sponscs OF the entente allies and OF
America TO the Japanese invitation for
the Russian situation. far as re-
cent events there have affected CON
dl.!ons in Eastern Siberia. are expected
TO be returned within the next two
or three days. 1t is certain there VIII
bc no long delay, az there appears to
be no disposition 10 enter into any
extended arguments on the subject Of
measures TO combat German aggres-
sion in Siberia and TO protect the mil
:tary stores at Niadivostok
One distinguished foreign rcpresen-
taNrc said to-day that n situation had
developed where the allies and Amer
ica must pla&e entire confidence in
the rcctttuS&F6t purpose and military
ability OF Japan. Ills belief Is that
there can be no haIf-confidencc. such
as would be implied by demand for
pledge from Japan In advance of
any action she may contemplate, TO
limit her activities or TO make certain
dispositions OF occupied territory. after
tho war. Such action. nc said. would
cast intolcrable suspicion upon de-
voted and powerful ally.
IL Is possible that some injuries
may be made to develop the nature
aud extent OF what Japan regards as
the special German menace that ex-
listed in Eastern Siberia even before
lie RESUMPTION OF the German drive
against Russia. Aside from the pres
encc o: large number Of German
prisoners OF war in Central siberia.
nothing is officially known here OF any
pcw and threatening danger TO Japan
o. 10 her allies, unicsa such might be
found in an active German propaganda
IN mat section which might involve
The transfer OF allcS lance to Germany
or the Bolshcvik controlled popula-
zion or cause an outbreak OF absolute
anarchy which would threaten tho
lives and property of Japanese and
Other foreign residents IN siberia. !,
is not doubted that Japan is now
satisfying her allies on this point. and
consequently there will he no ncces-
:Ity for any formal enlargement Ct
declaration OF purpose by Japan COW
orins her aims in Siberia beyond any
such expression as she nigh, herself
care to volunteer.
Reports reaching here and accred-
ready Japanese and Chinese troops
have been sent TO Asiatic Russia find
no confirmation here. They arc be-
lievcd to hc founded upon previous
reports that Japanese marines had
been landed at viadivos,ok 10 sup
press disorders there OF an anarchis-
tic turn tina, threatened the safety of
the military stores at the port.
y for the rcpor. h..
have been sent into Siberia officials
are convinced that this is based on a
misunderstanding OF the movement OF
some Chinese soldiers into IIarbin.
which. being in Chinese Manchuria. is
properly 4 subject for Chinese military
control!
RUSSIANS ANXIOUS L. s.
ENTER THE TRANSACTIoN
There has been a notable omission
to develop tho feelings of the Rus
SLAMS themselves toward any disturb
ancc OF status in Siberia However. a
report reached Washington from an
apparently reliable source to-day that
tho Russians themselves are desirous
if there is to be any foreign entry
into Siberia, that America. above all
powers. should participate. In the view
OF some officials, this probably is based
upon belief that Americas partici-
patton would insure n complete cvac-
uation OF the country after the pur-
poses of a military expedition had been
served.
In connection with the proposed mill
tary expedition into Siberia, attention
has been directed again to aspirations
voiced by the Sibcrians some time ago
for their separation from Russia, fol-
lowing the lead OF Finland, Ukrainia
and other West Russian provinces. One
official said to-day that Japan would be
completely satisfied. after insuring a
regime OF law and order in Siberia, to
lend her support TO the creation there
of an independent republic that would
constitute buffer state between ia
pan and Russia, and thereby remove
any apprehension OF war of reprisals
based on tho victory OF Japan over
Russia a decade ago.