Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-02
DR.. Soils Mission

IT is natural that diplomatic naval and
military circles in this country should be
intensely interested in the appointment by
the government OF Germany of DR.. Wilhelm
Solf charge d'affaires to Japan, with the
view of his becoming ambassador to that
| country. DR.. Solf was the kascrs Foreign
Secretary at the time Of the revolution in
Germany and at the time the armsticc was
signed.
The appointment cannot be regarded rs
an insignificant circumstance in the affairs
or the world 1t is probably the most sig
niiicant development since the exchange of
ratiiications at Paris, and the restoration OF
formal peace between Germany and it's enc
mics. That the Germans determined
at tho earliest possible moment to re-estab-
lish close relations with Japan, and they
have sent one OF the most resourceful diplo-
mats and ono of their leading officials to
TOKYO for that purpose, is the inevitable con-
clusion
1t is declared by those who know Ger
many OF today that DR.. Solf Is perhaps the
ablest statesman in the old empire whose
services are at the command of the present
government He is splendidly equipped for
missionary work. He is young learned
travelled, and has had important international
experience. At one time it was believed that
ooit would be sent as the next German am
oaSsador to the United States, but the fail
urc or this country to arrive at Il peace with
Germany has defeated that program and
rather than keep this asset in idleness for
an indefinite period Of time tho Germans.
have concluded to dispatch him to Tokyo.
when next to America. is the most mpor-
tant nation on earth, from a German diplo-
matte standpoint
ihe fact must be recalled in this connec-
tion that the Anglo-Japanese alliance ex-
pres by limitation in 1921. For many i'm
portant reasons the British government feels
olt
british possessions of Australia, New
zealand and Canada seem absolutely on
posed to such Il move. Also the liberal
element Of the Japanese government feels
mat 1t would be advisable TO re-enter an
alliance with Great Britain, although the
, ,ii'itarlst end OF the government prefers to
keep out of any ontamglements of the SORT
naturally there are officials in this coun-
Try VINO looking far in the future, foresee
d Eerman-Russian-Japan alliance They
peieVe ana in sense fear that such q com
pihation or interests is one OF the logical
possibilities of the coming years. For tho
.,lhe oeing' of course, japan is fighting the
RUSSIAN Reds Also, for the time being
Japan and Germany, enemies until fcw
DAYS ago, are merely on formal speakinp
terms. f "e
Self-interest is a powerful Influence in IN.
ternational affairs. If n resourceful din,o-
mat such as DR.. Solf could convince the Jams
thal renewal OF the alliance with Creat
hrltalh would be Japanese misfortune be
would make 1t far easier for the new Co..
.lans 20 zeal effectively with the Japanese
ho,oi "'ieh! once the Japs and the Ger
NUNS reached an agreement, they might be
apie to bring the Russians to accent their
own Terms The interest In the mission NJ
~ 'ooll VIII continue, therefore, until tho
poSs'pie developments in the Far East arc
toie CLEARLY and definitely realized