South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-26

Japan such assurances How? Why?
How far?
Reaching for Vast Empire.
In order 10 comprehend what the
Japanese militarists are striking for
Ia few figures may be considered.
From the port Of Vladivostok TO the
mouth Of the Amur river is almost
900 miles. Thence to the southern
point Of KamChatka Is about 600
miles. The peninsula is about 500
miles in length and the pOssessor of
it will control the seacOast up to
the capes opposite Alaska. Thus the
mikadO's government, by taking the
chief outlets Of the railroads and
rivers running 10 them. would come
into possession Of more than $500
miles of coast-much more.
Looking inland, the distance from
Vladivostok to Verlne-Udinsk. the
city just to the east of Lake Baikal
and commanding the passes to west
ern Siberia, is somewhat under 1900
miles on "a straight line. or about
the distance from the Canadian Dor
der 20 the Rio Grande Holding this
point. Manchuria, Korea and the ST.
berian seacoast. the japanese would
have practical possession OF the
whole region lying to the east of
Lake Baikal from the Yellow sea
20 the Arctic ocean. Il would con-
stitute an empire more than two
thirds the size of the United States.
with all the riches the pioneers found
I'm this land.
1t was toward this vast storehouse
of wealth that the Toxic imperialists
turned when they first saw the Rus
sian government go 10 pieces. Up to
/ that time they had been calculating
on expansion in China In that new
republic. however they were faced
I by the opposition of America Brit
ain and France. and, as the recent
revelation of the official cores
pondencc over the banking con-
10 admit the equal rights of the other
powers in the development Of this
country.
Hold All the OutpOsts.
The rise of the bolshevik offered
them another opportunity They got
their troops into Siberia with those
Of the other allies and have since
refused 20 come out With all the
outposts i'm their possession. through
occupation Of Korea and Manchuria
and their own screen Of islands run
ming in front ofsthe ocean outlets of
I Siberia they have a position that is
|unassailable by any other power ex-
Cept Russia or China. and they
realize that once firmly established
/ & will be almost impossible 10 re-
move them.
What they are now undertaking 20
do is: firstly. to meet the danger from
l the holshevists who. insisting that
they get out of Siberia. are gathering
forces 20 Dust them. and. second. 20
set possession Of the territory oppo-
site Alaska in advance Of the estab-
1 lishment Of any American interests,
such rs those Of the Vanderlip syn
dicate or before American can in
tervene successfully.
The first object explains the send
/ ing OF fresh troops 10 Nladivostok
I and Manchuria. the announcement
I that the lower valley of the Amur
! is 10 he occupied. and the attempt
/ OF Baron UnEern- Sternberg TO take
I Nerkne- Udinsk.
/ These are all phases or a remark
able military situation. in which the
/ japanese are undertaking 10 hold
! the center OF a front something over
I .. 400 miles and protect IL by Gripping
! the bolshevilSi on the wings The
center is represented nv Vladivostok
and the approaches 20 lower Man
/ churia Against these points the boil
shevili have been gathering. In the
\ last winter some formidable forces
I Now the japanese are undertaking "a
threaten the TANKS Of these armies