The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-05-08
WILSON WINS OVER
JAPAN ON SIBERIA
Position of United States Causes
Great Change in Attitude Toward
Asiatic Russia-Idea of Rushing
Troops Apparently Abandoned.

Tokyo, April 5, (By MaiD-"The
! Japanese Government is perfectly
aware that the war situation is frau
ght with the most momentous con-
sequences, but the people may rest
assured that Japan will never en-
bark on an unnecessary war. We
| will not Hesitate to go to war to up
hold the Interests of Japan, as well
as the Allies, but such step has not
yet been Justified
This statement, made by Premier
Count Terauchi, in the National
Diet, may be taken as pretty accu-
rate summary OF Japan's attitude to-
day toward Russia and the possibili-
ty of Japanese Intervention. This
calm declaration of the Premier,
coupled with the sympathetic policy
of President Wilson and the United
| States toward Russia, has just about
Quilted the clamor for an immediate
Japanese military expedition to ST.
IBERIA which was resounding through
out the Island Empire but few days
ago.
Indeeds it is remarkable now that
the idea of haSty action in throwing
a million troops into Asiatic Russia
seems to have been abandoned, to re-
call the situation fortnight ago. A
countrywide mobilization order was
expected momentarily, reservists had
been directed to remain at their
homes, wild rumors of landing at
Vladivotstok were reported and news
paper correspondents were preparing
to HE themselves toward the frozen
banks of the Amur.
Whispers of war, made with bated
breath and lowering eyebrows, spread
from the columns of the press to the
little one-storied homes and shops of
Tokyo; there was something in the
atmosphere of Nippon similar to the
ominous, silent tenseness felt on the
eve of the Russo-Japanese conflict
over a decade ago. There was no
emotion, no fear-the Japanese are
taught to conceal their feelings-but
there was a grim recognition that the
bloody hand of Mars was about to de
scend upon the Land of the God.
If you were a newspaper man, a
dignified lilliputian policeman, with
flowing mtstache and clanking sabre
marched Into your Office almost night
ly with writs prohibiting the an
nouncement of troop movements, the
deliberations of the Foreign Ad-
visory Council or other matters con-
sidered Of grave Importance to the
welfare of the empire
A large section of the press, aided
by talkative statesmen, publicists
and professors, loudly voiced their
impatience at the seeming dilatori-
ness of the Government in sounding
hn To ND fnd
that the American attitude was re-
sponsible for preventing the saliva
tion of Russia and the crushing of
the German menace by Japan.
It's all glifferent now. Overnight,
|almost, csaSs the realization that a
military exxedition to Siberia might
in many ways be impracticable, that
the German menace was yet long
ways from the Orient and that there
might be ways of saving Russia 9TH
er than Invading her territory, with
the risk that she would be thrown
into the waiting arms of Germany.
Domestic opposition to Intervention
developed, there was talk of a min
isterial crisis. Tonnage, finances
and other items forced themselves to
the front.
MOST important, however, OF the
factors which determined calmness
in dealing with Russia was probably
America. 1t is now recognized in the
most responsible quarters that the
United States is not opposed to inter-
vention in principle, nor does she
question Japan's motives, but that
she does not wish to run the risk of
arousing Russian hostility against
armed Intervention unless the Ger
man penetration eastward makes
such a policy absolutely imperative.
1t is also appreciated that if the
dispatch of Japanese troops should
become inevitable Japan would be
backed in her movement by every
ounce of aid America could give her.
In the meantime, Premier Count
Terauchi is endeavoring to steady
the restive elements.