Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-01-24
Wilson Note
Is Aimed at.
Japanese
Presidents Stand on Ar.
menian Question Really Bid
For Japan to Withdraw
From Vladivostok.
Former Appeal Ignored
Dy ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.

by ARTHUR SEARS HENNING
Chicago Tribune -Op,aia Bee Leased Wire
Washington, Jan, 25.-President
Wilson's latest Armenian note is
really aimed at Japan, according to
the view expressed in some quarters
and constitutes bid TO Great
Britain to exert her influence toward
the retirement OF her ally from oc-
cupation OF Nladivostok and other
parts OF Siberia.
The president believes says the
note, that the sine qua non OF am
attempt at Paciiication must be a
puolic and solemn engagement
among the great powers not to take
advantage of Russia'S stricken con-
dltion and not to violate the terri
tofial integrity of -Russ'a nor to I'M
dertake themselves, any further in
vas'ons .~of Russia. nor to tolerate
such inVasions by others
Such public agreement would
in effect say TO those now i'll power
in Russia. You are not menaced
from outside. The great powers.
have voluntarily guaranteed you
from attack. You can have peace
ii YOU want it.
Japan Only Army in Field.
There are now no British. French
or Italian troops in Russia or on
the borders OF Russia. The only
one of the allied powers occupying
any part of Russia is Japan, which
holds Nladivostok. the northern
hall of Saghalien island and certain
portions OF the Siberian mainland
In Secretary Colby's Russian
note several months ago, the presi-
dent made much the same appeal for
the withdrawal of allied forces from
Russian territory. The appeal Went
unheeded. however, and now the
presiden. renews it more pointedly
as condition precedent to his i'm
mediate despatch of Henry Morgen-
thau on his mission as mediator
between Armenia and her opprcs-
sors.
The president has hecn fighting
Japanese occupation of Siberia at
every step without tangible result
save the aggrayation of japanese
dislike Of the United States. Where
ever Americans and Japanese come
in contact in Siberia there is friction
and American naval officers were
not greatly surprised bv the clash
which resulted IL the killing OF Lieu
-sSEaflF I Isailgtis 4 y. by as Jspaaese
sentry in Nladivostok.
u. S. Troops Withdrawn.
American troops were withdrawn
from Siberia more than year ago
and since then there has been only a
cruiser or two at Vladivostok for the
protection of American interests. Mr..
Wilson was of the opinion that
Japan. having gone into Siberia in
corporation with the. United States
during the war, ought to have with
drawn at the same time as the
American forces.
When, however, Japan not only
elected to stay. but having occupied
Nladivostok. proceeded to occupy
the northern half of Saghalien is
land, the president was moved to
protest. With the approval Of Great
Britain. which felt embarrassed be-
cause of the Anglo japanese alliance.
Mr.. Wilson addressed note to To"
kio protesting against the occupation
OF Russian territory. Japan replied
in defense of the move. which was
explained as measure of protection
and of retaliation for the massacre of
Japanese OH the mainland. and the
correspondence is still i'll progress.
There is a good deal OF opposition
to this policy which is viewed by
some senators as a continual nagg-
ing OF Japan with respect to japanese
measures in Asia. 1t is contended
hat Japan might, with quite as much
reason. have protested against Amer
ican occupation of Haiti or Santo
Domingo or Vera Cruz, all OF which
were measures taken by President
Wilson for reasons not greatly dis
similar to those advanced by the Jap
anesc for occupation of Siberia.
Poor Grace From U. S.
One also hears the argument that [.
objection to the extension OF Japan
csc hegemony on the Asiatic main
land comes with poor grace from a |
ration that desires to exclude jap !
anese from its own territory. The !
Japanese, it is contended, must |
spread somewhere and the more they |
are permitted to spread in Asia the |
less will they seek the western hem
isphere.
II the Japanese is found to have
been in the wrong in the Langdon
incident it is expected that Japan
viii apologize. That was the out
come of the Tientsin affair involv,
ing the brutal malteratment OF Amer
lean soldiers by Japanese officials T
on the scene expressed their regret
and later formal apology was trans
mitted to the State department. and
accepted.