The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-13

since last August and has been followed
with the keenest interest in the Far East.
Some OF the Japanese newspapers hays
| been apprehensIve lest the United states
t,ke the lead in this sphere OF Japaae.a
nfiuhce and the Toxic Government h7s
been subject to vitriolic attacks by tie
japanese Chauvinists as consequence
The agreement reached between the Two
Governments therefore eliminates the
possibility OF friction.
Mr. Polk said that at has been ac-
cepted because IL offers an effective
means to assist the Russian population
OF Siberia, which has been suffering for
many months from gradual collapse Of
railway transportation"
Military Aspects.
Nothing Is said as to the military
measures which may be required TO rro-
tect the work to be undertaken. II -
assumed that japan. with the bulk OF the
military strength in Siberia, will tare
care OF the military aspects OF the on
terprise should trouble come from the
Bolsheviki.
Not only have the people lacked mary
necessities OF daily life. such as Shoes
clothing and agricultural machinery"
Mr.. Polk added, but they have been
wholly unable to return to their normal
occupations of marketing their own CON
siderable stores OF dairy products and
grain.
I'm May, 1917. Mr. John F. stevens
was sent to Russia, and few month,
later was followed by the Russian Rail
way Service Corps, composed OF Amerl-
can Railway Engineers. who were to a..
sist the Russian Railway Admin stration
and thus contribute in carrying out TIE
expressed purpose Of the United States
to aid Russia In tangible form The
arteries of life In Russia as elsewhere
are the railways The problems. espe-
cially In Siberia, are similar to those j.
America, where the long haul is almost
the rule and certainly not the exception
Under the plan of operation which |.
now to be effected the Siberian railway
system. which Includes the Chinese East.
ern Railway. Is to be supervised by a.
interallied committee. the chairman ~
which Is to be Russian. In addition 70
Russia. Japan and the United States tie
following countries have been asked to
be represented on the commission:
Great Britain. France. Italy and China
The technical and economic manage ncut
of the railways will be In the hands a.
a technical board under the presidenr'
II Mr.. Stevens, A military board "
coordinate matters affecting miiitaiy
transportation arising from the preseu
IN SIBERIA or military forces of the
United States and Russia
The purpose OF the agreemen. is ~
assist the Russians in Siberia In regain.
ing their normal conditions OF life aud
have been reached upon n definite uulr--
standing that the railways are to be op-
Grated for the interests of the people o,
siberia. The United states and japanese
have eNpressir voiced their 6isntcree.si
purpose mo- to infringe OIL any eNisrtr-
rights either OF Russia, or where the G e
nese interest Is concerned. of China to
associated Governments have been una.
imous as TO the urgency of the situato7
The understanding was preached b.,
fore the conclusion of the armistlce B.,
the problem OF aiding the people IN
IBERIA remains the same and has hec 0.
even more urgent Russian railway .:
fcials have repeatedly urged the "a.
sistance OF Mr.. Stevens and express
their cordial and special desire that e.,
should be helped Tho cooperation 5.
relied upon as a vital factor for sue.
In assisting their fellow coun,ryrls'